Workshop by Colin Allen

C​olin Allen, AM*, will present about how signed languages have changed over time. (A Perspective from a Non-Linguist, and as a World Deaf Leader) Colin will share his perspectives on changing trends of signed languages around the globe. Some signed languages are changing where we are having doubts about its correct usage.

Should we accept those changes as a part of the trend in language development, or resist them, or in the process of being labeled as unreasonable purists? This will be an open discussion, including the semantics of some signs.

Mr. Allen, the immediate past President of the World of the World Federation of the Deaf, will share some of his experiences advocating for language rights, during his eight-year term as President of the WFD.

*The “AM” signifies that Mr. Allen was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia.

Details about the Workshop

Colin Allen’s Workshop on Zoom on Thursday, November 12, 2020 at 6:00–7:30 PM. Workshop fee $10.00

Zoom opens at 5:45 PM for all registered/paid attendees. Upon completed registration and payment, a Zoom link will be sent out on Wednesday, November 5th.

GRCASLTA elections: 7:30–8:00 PM

Only GRCASLTA Members may attend this workshop and participate/run for ​President​ and ​Treasurer positions​. If you are interested in running for one of those GRCASLTA positions, you must attend this meeting and give a brief presentation on why you want to be an Officer. Contact GRCASLTA President, Rita Straubhaar at Rstraubhaar@monroecc.edu.

Colin Allen, AM’s Biography

Hailing from Australia, Colin is a Visiting Lecturer at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf at the Rochester Institute of Technology. As part of his work at the university, he is creating course work on the human rights of deaf and hard of hearing people for a new BS degree program in Community Development and Inclusive Leadership. Colin is also a contributor to the Center for International Educational Outreach.

Colin is immediate past President of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD, 2011 to 2019), which he previously served as board member (2003 to 2011). Colin is also immediate past Chair of the International Disability Alliance (IDA). He has guided and represented the WFD and IDA in their engagement with the United Nations System and with other international human rights and international development organizations.

Colin has advanced the human rights of deaf people and persons with disability for over 40 years by participating politically, professionally and socially in the Deaf Community and disability sector. Colin’s extensive contribution to the Deaf Community began locally, broadened to encompass all of Australia,
and ultimately grew to inhabit the international realm, where Colin has been influential for the past 20 years.

In his spare time, Colin enjoys ‘crafting’ new homemade vegetarian dishes and loves to host lunches and dinner parties for his friends to taste his new vegetarian recipes (matched with top class wines of course!)

FUN FACT: Colin has visited 79 countries!