Popular Sign Language Classes At Newark Library Inspire Community

NEWARK, NJ — It was 28 years ago that the first American Sign Language class took place in the Newark Public Library’s special services room. Since then, the program has blossomed into a community of its own – and it’s about to have a long-awaited reunion.

The library will hold an orientation session for its latest round of ASL classes on Saturday, marking the first time its participants have met in-person since the coronavirus pandemic began (see more details below).

The free, public classes teach crucial basic skills to parents, families and friends of people with hearing loss who want to learn ASL. And even now – decades after their inception – they remain a hugely popular program at the Newark Library.

Led by library staff and an ever-evolving roster of volunteers, participants cover topics such as basic vocabulary, conversation skills, receptive skills and using body language/facial expressions.

Before the pandemic, it wasn’t unusual to have up to 100 people attending each class. And they all share a common link, the program’s lead instructor Lolata Greggs told Patch: they want to forge deeper connections with the important people in their lives.

“My reward is seeing students learn how to communicate with each other, and especially with my deaf community,” Lolata Greggs told Patch.

“I love them with all my heart,” Greggs enthused.

People like Greggs – who uses ASL as her primary language – are a huge reason why the program has been so successful over the years. It’s a philosophy the library recognizes and pays homage to on its website, which includes the following tagline in boldface: “Classes will be taught by a deaf instructor.”

Greggs’ assistant teacher, Thyson Halley, taught autistic children and volunteered at weekend classes at the library before joining the NPL staff. Halley, who has a degree in deaf studies and is a certified deaf interpreter, said it’s rewarding to know that the people who come to the classes “truly have a desire” to learn American Sign Language.

“I got involved because I’m hard of hearing,” Halley told Patch. “I know so well how important it is to communicate – and ASL allows us to communicate with other deaf and hard of hearing people, and family and friends.”

Other members of the deaf community in Newark have been pitching into the teaching effort as well, including Pat Ross, Regina Miles, Katria Parker, Lamar Towns and Tiffany Treadwell, a library spokesperson said.

Watch a video of a virtual ASL class held in October 2021 below. (Article continues underneath)

Halley pointed out that family members aren’t the only ones who have been showing up at the library’s classes. One professional interested in picking up ASL? An airline flight attendant, he said.

The classes have also become popular among local police, fire, EMS and other professionals, who are trying to open up new lines of communication with people they encounter on the job. They included attendees at an event held in partnership with the Deaf Advocacy Group of NJ last week, which drew several local emergency responders.

• See related article: Port Authority Cop Uses Sign Language To Bridge Communication Gap

The latest round of ASL classes will kick off with an orientation session from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 17 in the first floor LGBTQ room at the Newark Public Library, 5 Washington Street.

Classes will take place from Sept. 24 to Dec. 10 between 10:30 a.m. and noon. Learn more here.

Younger learners can take advantage of the wealth of knowledge at the Newark Library, too. The library is holding “Sign Language For Kids” classes designed for children of all ages throughout the fall; the first class kicked off Wednesday. Others are scheduled for Sept. 21, Oct. 26, Nov. 9 and Nov. 16. Classes take place at the children’s room in the library. For more information, call 973-733-7797 or click here.

• See related article: NJ Woman Opens Groundbreaking Café For Deaf Community In Newark
• See related article: Deaf NJ Sports Fan Has High Praise For 2 Local Arenas (Op-Ed)
• See related article: NJ Women Help Other Deaf Employees Find Equality In The Workplace

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