More Than a Language: Dre Hollingsworth on ASL, Connection and Creating Greater Understanding
For InCommunity ASL Instructor, Dre Hollingsworth, American Sign Language has never simply been a way to communicate. It has been a constant presence throughout her life, shaping how she connects with others, understands the world around her and expresses who she is.
“I’ve used ASL since I was born,” Dre shared. “My mom put me in a Deaf school, so I grew up around ASL.”
Growing up, Dre was surrounded by ASL and a community where signing was a natural part of everyday life. Her mother also instilled in her something that would become just as important: the confidence to advocate for herself.
“My mom raised me, and she always pushed me to use my voice,” Dre said. “She would always tell me, ‘Nobody will help you but yourself.’”
At the time, Dre did not fully understand what her mother meant. As she grew older, however, the lesson became clearer.
“Living in a hearing world, there are times when I have to use my voice to communicate and advocate for myself,” she said. “I’m really thankful to my mom for teaching me that.”
That early encouragement helped shape Dre into the woman she is today: a mother, a teacher and someone who values connection with others.
“ASL is more than just a language to me,” Dre said. “It’s a big part of who I am and how I connect with people.”
Today, Dre brings that connection to her work as a teacher, including teaching ASL to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through InCommunity’s adult day programs.
Recently, Dre led an ASL class at InCommunity’s Beyond Horizons Center in South Fulton. The class introduced participants to six signs: GOOD MORNING, HELLO, APPLAUSE, RESTROOM, PLEASE and THANK YOU.
But the class was about more than simply learning six new signs. Participants had opportunities to practice what they learned, reinforce each sign and build confidence by signing in front of the group.
For BHC Program Manager Natania Griffin, the experience demonstrated just how much participants can gain when they are given new ways to communicate and connect.
The individuals and staff enjoyed the energy Dre brought to the center, and Natania noticed strong retention among participants. Their enthusiasm for learning demonstrated that communication can take many forms, and sometimes all it takes is an opportunity to discover a new one.
Seeing Ability Beyond Communication
Dre knows firsthand that assumptions about what someone can do can sometimes become barriers of their own.
“Beyond being Deaf, I’m a mom, a teacher, and someone who loves connecting with others,” Dre said. “I just wish more people understood that being Deaf doesn’t limit what we can do.”
Her own experiences have taught her the importance of having the confidence and tools to communicate, advocate and participate.
That perspective is particularly meaningful when working with individuals with I/DD.
At InCommunity, communication is an important part of supporting people to live safe, healthy and joyful lives in their communities. Having different ways to communicate can give individuals more opportunities to express their needs, make choices, participate in activities and build relationships.
ASL can be one of those tools.
For some participants, learning a new sign may seem like a small accomplishment. But being able to confidently communicate a greeting, ask for a restroom or say “please” and “thank you” can create opportunities for greater independence and connection.
And perhaps just as importantly, learning ASL can encourage the people around them to think differently about communication itself.
Creating Space for Connection
Dre’s story is a reminder that communication is not one size fits all.
It is about meeting people where they are and creating opportunities for everyone to be understood.
For Dre, ASL has been part of her identity since birth. It has helped her communicate, connect with others and navigate a world that does not always communicate in the same way she does. For the individuals participating in the BHC class, it represents a new skill and another way to interact with the people around them.
Those experiences may look different, but they share something important: the opportunity to connect.
At InCommunity, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to participate, communicate and engage in their communities in ways that are meaningful to them.
Through opportunities like Dre’s ASL classes, we are continuing to expand what communication can look like and create more ways for the people we support to make themselves heard, understood and included.