Councilmember Vincent B. Orange, Sr.
A BILL IN THE COUNCIL OF THE
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Councilmember Vincent B. Orange, Sr., introduced the following bill, which was referred
to the Committee on Education, Libraries and Recreation.
To recognize American Sign Language
as the modern language of choice for many deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing residents; and
to recognize American Sign Language as a foreign language course eligible for credit and
satisfaction of any foreign language requirement.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as
the "American Sign Language Recognition Act of 2001.".
Sec. 2. Findings.
(a) American Sign Language ("ASL") is one of the top four widely used
languages in the United States and Canada.
(b) The District of Columbia has over 20,000 deaf and hard of hearing citizens-many of
whom use ASL as their primary language.
(c) ASL has met the accepted linguistic criteria to qualify it as a legitimate language
in that it has a system of arbitrary symbols, grammatical signals, and syntax, it has a
community of users, and it has undergone historical changes.
(d) Two-thirds of the state legislatures in the United States have recognized and
accepted ASL as bona fide language.
Sec. 3. Definitions
For the purpose of the act, the term:
(1) "American Sign Language" or "ASL" means a visual language that
is separate and distinct from English and other languages, and uses the hands, arms,
facial markers, and body movements to convey grammatical information.
(2) "ASLTA" means
American Sign Language Teachers Association, a national professional organization located
at 814 Thayer Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. The ASTLA provides evaluation and
certification for ASL teachers.
(3) "Deaf people" refers to
people who use American Sign Language as their primary language to communicate in their
respective cultural groups.
(4) "Deaf" means the
inability to hear or understand oral communication, with or without the assistance of
amplification devices.
(5) "Hard of hearing" means
permanent hearing loss which is sever enough to necessitate the use of amplification
devices to hear oral communication.
(6) "Provisional
certification" means a teacher has met minimum requirements as specified in the
standards section of the ASLTA Certification Procedures and Standards. The teacher must
demonstrate proficiency in ASL and basic knowledge about ASL teaching, including
developing course outlines and lesson plans.
(7) "Qualified certification" means a teacher has met all the requirements as
specified in the standards section of the ASLTA Certification Procedures and Standards.
The teacher has demonstrated proficiency knowledge of second-language teaching
methodology, language activities, evaluation, and knowledge of ASL linguistics.
(8) "Professional
certification" means a teacher has met all requirements as specified in the standards
section of the ASLTA Certification Procedures and Standards. The teacher has demonstrated
the highest level of knowledge and skills in teaching ASL. These include knowledge of
curriculum development, evaluation, linguistics, and theoretical and contemporary issues
in the field of ASL.
Sec. 5.[Sic] American Sign
Language instruction.
(a) American Sign Language may be offered in elementary and secondary public schools,
community colleges, and four-year state universities and colleges, as a modern foreign
language for which credit may be given.
(i) In secondary public schools, where offered for credit, ASL courses may be taken to
satisfy a foreign language requirement.
(b) Minimal requirement of ASL teachers in K-12 school and 4-year universities/colleges
is at least a college degree in teaching ASL or a degree in a field related to Deaf people
with an ASLTA professional level certification.
(c) Minimal requirement of ASL teachers in the community colleges or other educational
programs is at least an ASLTA Qualified level certification.
(d) Minimal requirement of ASL teachers in state service providers or agencies is at
least an ASLTA Provisional level certification.
(e) The requirements of ASLTA certification will be effective on January 1, 2002.
(f) ASL Curriculum for K-12, Ll users and L2 learners, will be approved by the ASLTA
effective January 1, 2003.
Sec. 6. Fiscal Impact.
The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the Committee Report as the fiscal
impact statement required by section 602(c)(3) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act,
approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Code, sec. 1-233(c)(3)).
Sec. 7. Effective Date.
This act shall take effect upon its enactment (approval by the Mayor, or in the event
of veto by the Mayor, override of the veto by the Council), and approval by the Financial
Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority as provided in section 203(a) of the
District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Act of 1995,
approved April 17, 1995 (109 Stat. 116; D.C. Code, sec. 47-392.3(a)), a 30-day period of
Congressional review as provided in section 602(c)(2) of the District of Columbia
Self-Government and Governmental Responsibility Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat.
813; D.C. Code, sec. 1-233(c)(2)), and publication in the District of Columbia Register.