Independence Empowerment Center

Four deaf adults participated in a writing workshop at Independence Empowerment Center lead by a Literacy Volunteers of America - Prince William, Inc. tutor with the assistance of an ASL interpreter.  The twenty-five hour program was designed to improve the participants’ English writing skills.  The students chose to refine their writing skills in order to improve their employment opportunities.

“We spent a lot of time on linking verbs,” said LVA-PW tutor Margaret Stout who taught the classes.  “In ASL, linking verbs are assumed.  Students had to practice using them in written English.”  Ms. Stout is a recent graduate of University of Mary Washington master’s program.  This May she earned a Master’s in Special Education as well as a certificate in English as a Second Language (ESL).  “Working with deaf students is a new experience for me but it has been a wonderful opportunity,” said Margaret Stout, “not only have the students learned something new but so have I.”  The classes, which ended mid-May, were held on Tuesday evenings and Saturday afternoons.

Dr. Lopez, IEC’s Executive Director, indicated the class might run again in the fall, if interest is shown and if IEC can find a business interested in supporting the effort with a small grant.

From Spring 2008 Newsletter
Volume 3, Issue 2