A Summer of Impactful Collaboration

A Summer of Impactful Collaboration

This summer, Peter C. DeHaas, a veteran San Francisco State lecturer in American Sign Language (ASL), worked closely with a 7-year-old bilaterally deaf student from Sonoma County. The family hails from Oaxaca, Mexico.

DeHaas provided ASL interpretation during child’s ongoing ABA therapy sessions and also provided ASL instruction to both the ABA therapist and to the family. This timely collaboration reflects a growing recognition of the need for culturally and linguistically appropriate support for individuals who are Deaf and hard-of-hearing in diverse communities. DeHaas shared, “There is so much gratitude from the boy and his family for these essential supports—it has been one of my greatest experiences.”

With over 12 years of experience teaching ASL at SFSU, DeHaas has educated countless undergraduates, helping shape their futures by reinforcing the importance of ASL and active civic engagement. This work exemplifies San Francisco State University's commitment to bridging classroom knowledge with meaningful practice beyond the university, empowering students and faculty alike to contribute to social equity and inclusion in real-world settings.