Kyle Vohling

Hi, my name is Kyle Vohling. I'm a senior here at the University of South Florida.

Hi, my name is Kyle Vohling. I'm a senior here at the University of South Florida.

I'm a senior at the ASL interpreting program here at USF, and I bring this up because you had made the claim back in January. I'm going to get in a lot of trouble on this one.

I'm a senior at the ASL interpreting program here at USF, and I bring this up because you had made the claim back in January. I'm going to get in a lot of trouble on this one.

During the Los Angeles fires, ASL interpreters on screen were distracting and unnecessary. I'd like to start off with what your perspective of ASL is, because a lot of people have ranges and some people may be inaccurate on what that belief is.

During the Los Angeles fires, ASL interpreters on screen were distracting and unnecessary. I'd like to start off with what your perspective of ASL is, because a lot of people have ranges and some people may be inaccurate on what that belief is.

Okay. So a lot of people who are unaware of what American Sign Language is thinks it's that it's word for word exact English. In most cases, it's not. So it's a completely different form of a language like any person who speaks Spanish or English. And I bring this up because there was an estimate about 10 people who had died in the Los Angeles fire.

Okay. So a lot of people who are unaware of what American Sign Language is thinks it's that it's word for word exact English. In most cases, it's not. So it's a completely different form of a language like any person who speaks Spanish or English. And I bring this up because there was an estimate about 10 people who had died in the Los Angeles fire.

and the claims and the rhetoric that you had used that ASL interpreters were useless and unimportant could have led those people to remain living in the environment that they were in.

and the claims and the rhetoric that you had used that ASL interpreters were useless and unimportant could have led those people to remain living in the environment that they were in.

Okay, but let's just say if they weren't able to... No, hold on a second.

Okay, but let's just say if they weren't able to... No, hold on a second.

Okay, fair point. I understand that. But then I do... Am I unable to agree with Charlie?

Okay, fair point. I understand that. But then I do... Am I unable to agree with Charlie?

Yes. So I have that written down. Closed captions. Closed captions is exact word-for-word order. ASL and English are not the exact same language. People who have no exposure to what English is... And we grew up in a generationally deaf family, only know American Sign Language.

Yes. So I have that written down. Closed captions. Closed captions is exact word-for-word order. ASL and English are not the exact same language. People who have no exposure to what English is... And we grew up in a generationally deaf family, only know American Sign Language.

The same way that somebody who was from Mexico and they only spoke Spanish, or any country for that instance, would only know the language they spoke at home. So having that access... But the disaster briefings are only in English. But ASL provides that access to other people the same way that Spanish interpreters on screen and others.

The same way that somebody who was from Mexico and they only spoke Spanish, or any country for that instance, would only know the language they spoke at home. So having that access... But the disaster briefings are only in English. But ASL provides that access to other people the same way that Spanish interpreters on screen and others.

They can, correct. But ASL interpreters on screen is the exact same thing as closed captions. Let me tell you why. Closed captions on the screen is for hearing people who are unable to hear.

They can, correct. But ASL interpreters on screen is the exact same thing as closed captions. Let me tell you why. Closed captions on the screen is for hearing people who are unable to hear.

And I agree.

And I agree.

So are you saying that deaf people are unimportant to our society? No, I think they're super important. Because that's the rhetoric that you're saying, that ASL interpreters on screen are unimportant to the deaf community that you have.

So are you saying that deaf people are unimportant to our society? No, I think they're super important. Because that's the rhetoric that you're saying, that ASL interpreters on screen are unimportant to the deaf community that you have.

As I'm saying, ASL has a completely different linguistic and cultural background.

As I'm saying, ASL has a completely different linguistic and cultural background.

I'm sure I could find plenty, but right now I don't have any.

I'm sure I could find plenty, but right now I don't have any.

And that's what I'm saying. ASL is a complete range of a language, but completely blocking out ASL interpreters and saying that our work is completely useless is very unempowering to the field that we're going into. And we're very lucky here at USF to have the only face-to-face program that offers ASL interpreting.

And that's what I'm saying. ASL is a complete range of a language, but completely blocking out ASL interpreters and saying that our work is completely useless is very unempowering to the field that we're going into. And we're very lucky here at USF to have the only face-to-face program that offers ASL interpreting.

The only other college here in Florida is University of North Florida, which is all online.

The only other college here in Florida is University of North Florida, which is all online.

So are you more against having access to people who are unaware? Let me tell you what I'm against.

So are you more against having access to people who are unaware? Let me tell you what I'm against.

And so I'm more concerned because ASL, the first word is American. What is so awful about that that's providing access that you're so against? Having it on the screen is hardly a distraction.

And so I'm more concerned because ASL, the first word is American. What is so awful about that that's providing access that you're so against? Having it on the screen is hardly a distraction.

Because ASL interpreters have only truly been around since the 1960s after the ADA had made them a point to have them.

Because ASL interpreters have only truly been around since the 1960s after the ADA had made them a point to have them.

Maybe Charlie Kirk is on the college campus.

Maybe Charlie Kirk is on the college campus.