Learning sign language is a valuable tool. It boosts your brain, strengthens cognitive function and reasoning, and also increases memory, attention span and communication skills. In this beginner course on American Sign Language and Deaf Culture, students will learn numbers 1–100, practice fingerspelling, and begin to understand the use of basic vocabulary and phrases.

This 4-week session is taught by Justin Dougan-LeBlanc, a deaf professor and former contestant on Project Runway and Project Runway All Stars. Dougan-LeBlanc uses sign language as his first language.

This class runs on Mondays, April 10 – May 1, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Justin LeBlanc is a deaf and queer fashion designer and installation artist. He is an Associate Professor of Fashion Studies at Columbia College Chicago where he teaches fashion and installation design.  All of his works explores the topics and views Deaf Culture and LGTBQIA+. LeBlanc has been featured in a number of publications, fashion shows, and television in the United States and internationally. These include Mercedes New York Fashion Week, Marie Claire, Red Eye, The Chicago Tribune, the New York Times, USA Today, and The Face Magazine. He has competed on Project Runway and Project Runway All Stars. LeBlanc’s Undergraduate degree is in Architecture from North Carolina State University, and his Master’s Degree is in Fashion Design from School of the Art Institute of Chicago.