Lamar University Dept. of Deaf Studies & Deaf Education

07/15/2026

Considering a visual language for your deaf or hard of hearing child? Here are ten important things to know!

(Image Description: an infographic entitled "Your newborn's world: 10 things to know about sign languages." In the middle is a drawing of a small child with the words "act early. act fast. nurture" around them. The ten points are as follows:

• Real Structure
Sign languages have their own structure and grammar rules. Just like spoken languages.

• Natural Evolution
Sign languages emerge and evolve rapidly when
Deaf communities for naturally creating grammar.

•Wonderfully Diverse
There are hundreds of unique, fully formed sign languages exist worldwide

•The Power of Code-Blending
Bimodal bilinguals effortlessly switch and blend speech and sign with total ease and control.

• Fast Processing
The human brain segments and recognizes signs instantly and automatically, exactly like spoken words.

• Rooted in the Left Brain
The left brain processes language. The mind is built for communication, not sounds

• Visual Cues
Many signs look like what they mean (e.g., mimicking a bird's beak), facilitating early, intuitive vocabulary learning.

• Visual Boosts
Navigating a visual language actively improves non linguistic mental mapping, spatial skills, and peripheral attention.

• Act Fast
Babies have a critical window for language. Start early to protect brain health and prevent. developmental deprivation.

• Full Expression
Signers use full-body movements, facial expressions, and varied sign speed to convey rich meaning and emotion.

At the bottom in small text: Designed specifically for families embarking on a visual language journey. Based entirely on the peer-reviewed research of Dr. Karen Emmorey ("Ten things you should know about sign languages"). Always consult with specialized Deaf educators and early intervention professionals.

The Lamar University logo is next to the words "Lamar University Member The Texas State University System."
Designed by Matt P. Andersen for the Deaf Studies & Deaf
Education Department at Lamar University.

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07/10/2026

Join us Tuesday July 14th for a dissertation defense that you won't want to miss! Erich Tucker will be defending his dissertation titled "Breaking the Island: Deaf Faculty Resilience In Higher Education Through Participatory Action Research."

(Image Description: A red, black, and white flyer with a picture of Erich Tucker, a white man in a white dress shirt and black jacket. Text as follows:

Lamar University
Doctoral Dissertation Defense
Erich A. Tucker
Doctoral Candidate Deaf Studies and Deaf Education

Title: Breaking the Island: Deaf Faculty Resilience In Higher Education Through Participatory Action Research
Date: Tuesday, July 14
Time: 1:00 PM-3:00 PM CST
11:00 AM-1:00 PM PDT, 2:00-4:00 PM EDT
Location: Communications Building, Room 103

Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4580467939?omn=84619145072

Presentation in ASL
Spoken English Interpretation Provided

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06/30/2026

If you're interested in Visual Pedagogy, Adele Ann Eberwein is presenting her Doctoral Dissertation Defense on just that topic!

(Visual description: Flyer announcing Adele Ann Eberwein's Lamar University doctoral dissertation defense, featuring her portrait.

Dissertation title: Teacher Perspectives on Viewing Comprehension and Visual Pedagogy
Defense date: Tuesday, July 14
Time: 10:00 AM-12:00 PM CST
(8:00-10:00 AM PDT, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM EDT)
Location: Communications Building, Room 103
Zoom information: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4580467939?omn=84619145072

Accessibility information indicating the presentation will be in ASL with spoken English interpretation provided.)

06/04/2026

Sadly, the ASL Workshop that was scheduled for July 20-21st has been canceled. We will announce a new date in 2027, so don't despair!

(image description: a flyer for an ASL workshop with a huge yellow warning box covering all the details. the box says "Notice: Event Canceled. New date to be announced in 2027." there are emojis of warning signs on the QR code.
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06/03/2026

Today is World Bicycle Day! Are there any ASL cycling groups out there? Let us know in the comments!

ASL: bicycleASL: bikeThe American Sign Language sign for "bike" o...

06/02/2026

Interested in a move to Louisiana? Despite being the state capital, Baton Rouge feels small and has a lower cost of living. Plus that coastal humidity? Your skin will thank you 💅🧖

(Image Description: a green flyer with the eagle mascot for the Louisiana School for the Deaf. Text is as follows:

Now Hiring
Join our growing team at the Louisiana School for the Deaf!
For 2026-2027

•Teachers
• MS ELA
• MS Social Studies
• MS Science
• HS Social Studies
• HS ELA
• HS ASL
• Leap Connect/Special Education
• Paraeducators
• Substitute Teachers

Apply at
TINYURL.COM/L*DCAREERS

(End ID)

✨ Ready to make a real impact? ✨
Join the Louisiana School for the Deaf for the 2026–2027 school year! 🦅💚
📚 We are currently hiring:
• Teachers (MS & HS content areas + Special Education/LEAP Connect)
• Paraeducators
• Substitute Teachers
At L*D, you won’t just have a job — you’ll join a mission-driven team that values collaboration, professional growth, and doing what’s right for kids every single day. From the classroom to campus life, our staff plays a powerful role in shaping confident learners and future leaders.

🔗 Apply here: tinyurl.com/L*Dcareers
📩 Don’t see your position listed? Email [email protected]

06/01/2026

One of our Ed.D. candidates is conducting a study investigating Deaf college professors and the "Deaf Tax." Even if you don't fit the bill, share with your colleagues!

(Image Description- a red and white flyer seeking participants for a research study, text as follows-

Lamar University Deaf Studies Deaf Education Department
Paying for Access?
Narratives of Deaf Faculty, Academic
Space, and the Deaf Tax:
A Thematic Analysis
Researcher: Danielle Goyette

Looking for participants...
• Currently employed as faculty or an instructor at a college/university
• Identify as deaf or hard of hearing (DHH)
• Use sign language (e.g., ASL, PSE, or other
signed language) in professional or
academic settings
• Solo, or one of only two or three DHH staff/faculty members at your institution.

This study aims to better understand:
• Communication experiences in academic environments
• Access and accommodation practices
• Institutional supports and barriers
• Influences of space around you

Research Study Process
1. Survey- Complete a brief online survey (10-15 minutes)
2. Follow-up Interviews- Option to participate in a follow-up interview (45-60 minutes)
3. Confidentiality
• Your responses will be kept confidential
• Participation is voluntary
• You may withdraw at any time

Contact Info
If you have questions about this study, please contact:
Danielle Goyette: [email protected]

Lamar University
This study has been approved by the Lamar University Institutional Review Board ( -FY26-221).

Interested in Participating?
Scan the QR code (on bottom right) or use the link below:
https://tinyurl.com/mrymbhn8

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05/27/2026

Are you going to be at the Statewide Conference for Education of the Deaf? We will! We are looking forward to networking with Deaf Education professionals at the SWCED conference June 25-27. That's less than a month away!

We will be presenting our study discussing how Deaf Education can collaborate with General Education teachers to support DHH students in the mainstream setting. (Oh, and we can't wait to see our Lamar alumni, current graduate students, fellow colleagues, and parents there!)

05/14/2026

Did y'all know that we have several students graduating with their Masters in Deaf Education degrees? Read a little bit about them and their future goals:

(Image descriptions are located under each photo)

05/08/2026

Join us May 11th as Noemi Martinez defends her Master of Arts thesis entitled "Enhancing Inclusivity Through Certified Deaf Interpreters in the Border Cities." We are so proud of you Noemi!

Details are as follows:
Title: Enhancing Inclusivity Through Certified Deaf Interpreters in the Border Cities

Date: May 11th, 2026

Time: 1:00 p.m., CST

To watch on Zoom-
Meeting ID: 856 6775 7591
Passcode: 509128

(ID: A red, black, and white flyer with the Lamar University logo and a picture of Noemi Martinez, a Latina with silvery-grey hair. She is wearing a blue and white patterned top. In addition to the meeting information, there is a logo at the bottom of a heart containing a family supported by a pair of hands with the text "PROMOTING ACCESS. EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES.
Building a more inclusive future"

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