Sacramento State’s first club for deaf and hard-of-hearing students and those interested in deaf culture and American Sign Language is now up and running.

The club is named the Advocates for Deaf Culture and ASL ?” also known as ADCA ?” and it is the first of its kind on campus.

It is a place for deaf, hard-of-hearing and ASL students, and those wanting to get involved in the deaf community, to meet one another, socialize and practice their ASL skills.

Co-executive Officers Elena Figueroa-Ruiz and Jennifer Cole came up with the idea to create this club during the summer, when they met by chance at the Library.

Cole and Figueroa-Ruiz both had previous leadership experience. They started talking about how Sac State needed a social group for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

“Deaf and hard-of-hearing students don’t get a chance to meet each other in a normal social setting like hearing do,” Figueroa-Ruiz said.

During club meetings, there will be group discussions, guest speakers and an opportunity to socialize and interact with members of deaf and hard-of-hearing communities.

In addition to biweekly meetings, the group will also host socials, which will include going out to eat, movie screenings, potlucks and other events. The events will be close to campus and convenient for students, Cole said.

“We can create a home base deaf community” through the socials, Figueroa said.

Club Treasurer Jennifer Anderson is enthusiastic about getting the club started and spreading the word that Sac State now has this kind of club.

Anderson said the club’s purpose is to get more people to learn ASL and be more of aware of deaf culture.

As a hard-of-hearing individual, Anderson said ASL made a big difference in helping her communicate more effectively.

The club is also planning events such as a deaf art contest ?” where it will hold a competition to create a logo for the club ?” and silent auctions to take place in December and February to raise money for events and the logo project.

Club leaders are also planning a trip to Deaf Nation Expo on Oct. 28, an event that provides exhibits, such as services, crafts, products, seminars and workshops for members of the deaf community.

Cole and Figueroa-Ruiz hope this first year will start out as a practice year for the club. They anticipate it will start out small and then grow in knowledge and support. They also hope it will support the growing deaf studies program on campus.

Next spring, both Cole and Figueroa-Ruiz are going to school at Gallaudet University. They said they hope that during their last year on campus, they will be able to mentor students through this club and that someone will take over, when they leave.

It’s difficult for deaf and hard-of-hearing students to meet each other on campus, because of privacy issues. The club is a means for the deaf and hard-of-hearing to feel supported, Figueroa-Ruiz said.

The club meets every first and third Wednesday of the month. Deaf and hard-of-hearing students and students who are interested in learning about deaf culture and ASL can attend the meetings.

Voices can be used at meetings, but ASL is also used as the primary language. The next meeting will be at 6 p.m. next Wednesday in the Miwok Room of the University Union.

For more information, contact Elena Figueroa-Ruiz at [email protected], or Jennifer Cole at [email protected].

Amy Ball can be reached at [email protected]