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Judi Labath, a teacher and interpreter of American Sign Language for the past two years at UNCG, teaches that deafness or hearing loss of any degree is a communication issue more than a disability.

She remembers being asked to interpret for a university's graduation. The school was about twice the size of UNCG. Joe DiMaggio was the speaker and she enjoyed interpreting his speech, although she didn't expect anyone in the audience to need her interpretation. Labath was surprised later when she received a card from a deaf friend thanking her for interpreting her brother's graduation from medical school. There had been a dozen deaf people in the huge arena that day and they were able to enjoy every minute of the celebration because of Labath.

She has worked in the community and academic settings for almost 30 years. Labath met her husband, Tony, who is deaf, when she was interpreting classes at Southern Illinois University. He was working toward his bachelor's degree in industrial engineering.

"I feel very fortunate, since I don't think our paths would have crossed otherwise," she said.

Labath said she sees changes in the attitude of students in her classes toward the deaf.

After taking sign language classes, attitudes such as "These poor deaf people need our help," change to "Deaf people are just like the rest of us, only they can't hear," she said.

Since the spring of 2008, Labath has been teaching American Sign Language classes as an elective course at UNCG. Some students take the class to satisfy a foreign language requirement.

Classes usually have at least one student with hearing loss. There are also some students who have family members, such as cousins or grandparents, who use sign language. The students want to learn sign language and interpreting so they can better communicate with relatives and others.

"Many people think learning sign language is easy because it looks so easy when someone else is doing it," Labath said.

"In reality, American Sign Language is a full and unique language, the same as Spanish and Chinese," she said.

Labath always warns her students that learning sign language will not be an easy class, but she adds that it will be a great deal of fun.

She feels one of the most rewarding aspects of being a sign language interpreter is seeing people have access to information, sometimes for the very first time.

Describing how she interpreted for a church service when the regular interpreter was on vacation, she thought there were no deaf people present, but decided to interpret the whole service just the same. After the service, a woman who was alone and visiting the city approached her and expressed her gratitude for making it possible for her to understand the service.

"I love my field," Labath said, "because it gives people who use sign language the ability to communicate with other people."

Recalling how one deaf man commented as she waited with him for his job interview, she said, "I asked if he was nervous about the interview, knowing I would be if I were going to be interviewed for a job.

"'Not at all," he commented. "Last time I was on my own with no interpreter. That was very scary. This time, I know I can communicate and so there is no need to be nervous.'"

Labath recalls that both her father and her oldest son were losing their hearing in the early 1970s. Also, her cousin's young daughter had a profound hearing loss and could not communicate. By learning sign language for six months, she changed from being very shy to becoming an engaged, curious and lively child. Unfortunately, Labath said, only her parents knew sign language and could talk with her.

Labath said she has interpreted for just about every type of occasion, from births to funerals. She has interpreted for children with multiple disabilities and has worked one-on-one with deaf and blind students.

Labath's parents, Alma Louis Hart and Lawrence Hart, moved here when she was a teenager, but she remained in Iowa to attend college.

Her father lives at Well Spring Retirement and her mother is deceased.

Labath and her husband moved here in 2004.

When asked what advice she would offer to those who are deaf or hard of hearing, or to parents of deaf children, she responded:

"To those who are deaf: Be of courage, ask for what you need. As people of faith, we know God will provide, but sometimes we have to let our needs be known to those who can provide those needs," she said.

People who are hard of hearing or are losing their hearing should seek out resources such as the North Carolina Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, she said.

"To parents of deaf children: See your child as a child first, seeing their abilities and similarities without being stuck on the differences," Labath said. "They may need your advocacy now for communication needs in academic settings, but they also need to learn to be independent just like any other child. Let your child get to know successful deaf and hard of hearing adults and older children. Learn sign language and enjoy the new opportunities it provides.

"To everyone else: Take a sign language class," Labath said. "It can be a lot of fun and you never know when you might have a chance to use it."

To nominate a person for this column or to contact Peggy Longmire, e-mail her at rlongmire@triad.rr.com or call her at 288-9040.