DLA News Archive

Tag: ASL

June 3, 2022

DLA Aviation employee’s virtual ASL classes teach inclusion, diversity one sign at a time

Richmond, Va. — While the pandemic eliminated virtually all in-person interactions, it did not eliminate the need for partially deaf and deaf individuals to understand — and be understood by — their hearing counterparts.

Dana Bowman (left) presents his personal “Halo for Freedom” coin to DLA Distribution deputy commander Twila Gonzales, Senior Executive Services. Bowman also presents DLA Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania commander, Army Col. Brad Eungard a challenge coin during the DLA Distribution’s Multicultural Committee Disability Awareness Month event on Oct. 18.

Oct. 24, 2017

Distribution Multicultural committee celebrates Disability Awareness Month

NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. — DLA Distribution’s Multicultural Committee celebrated the true spirit and the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities with a program held on Wednesday, Oct. 18. This year’s theme is “Inclusion Drives Innovation.”

Business analyst Jarvis Beaver uses expressive body language to teach agency students American Sign Language.

Feb. 1, 2017

Transcending the Spoken Word

Fort Belvoir, Virginia — An increasing number of the DLA population uses American Sign Language to communicate. Now, the agency is providing ways to educate employees in ASL.

Jarvis Beaver, a business analyst in DLA Energy, uses expressive body language to teach agency students American Sign Language.

Dec. 28, 2016

Agency employees learn to value ‘sound of silence’

Improving communication among the workforce has long been a goal of the Defense Logistics Agency, and employees over the years have asked for instruction in American Sign Language to help them communicate with their deaf and hard-of-hearing coworkers.

DLA EEO director, Ferdinand LeCompte presents Katrina Labouliere with a certificate of appreciation.

Oct. 26, 2016

Advocate for deaf community bridges communication gap

The Equal Employment Offices of the McNamara Headquarters Complex tenant agencies hosted a final event to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness month Oct. 25. Katrina Labouliere, a sign language interpreter, spoke to employees about “Creating a Deaf-Friendly Environment.”

Dr. Adan Penilla, from Colorado State University, facilitates a workshop which focused on understanding differences in how other cultures communicate through sign language April 8, 2016 in Chester, Virginia. The event, which was coordinated and hosted by the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation’s Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Office included sign language interpreters from the Department of Defense, other federal organizations and Chesterfield County Public Schools. (Photo by Jackie Roberts, DLA Installation Support at Richmond).

April 27, 2016

Sign language interpreter training focuses on Middle Eastern culture

Richmond, Va. — Defense Logistics Agency Aviation’s Equal Employment, Opportunity and Diversity Office hosted a Federal Interpreter Training Workshop April 8 in Chester, Virginia.