GRCC is proud to celebrate faculty member Justine Bryant who has been named one of Crain’s Grand Rapids Business 40 Under 40. This award celebrates business leaders who are advancing their field and making civic contributions to their communities. Bryant is a nationally certified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter, a business owner and an assistant professor at GRCC. Her work has helped increase access to interpreting services and encouraged more students to consider careers in ASL interpreting.
Falling in love with the practical power of ASL
Bryant took her first ASL class at GRCC in 2010. She knew almost instantly that she had found her passion. “That class made me realize the practical power of the language,” she remembered. “I was fascinated by the functionality of being able to communicate in a completely different way than what I was used to and open doors to connect with the Deaf community.”
The class also introduced Bryant to various settings in which interpreters can work, including schools, hospitals, courtrooms and meeting rooms. Each environment offers its own unique challenges and opportunities. The diversity of experience aligned perfectly with Bryant’s desire for a dynamic and meaningful career. Bryant earned associate degrees from GRCC and Lansing Community College before completing a bachelor’s degree in ASL interpreting and transliterating from Siena Heights University in 2015.
Serving the unique needs of West Michigan
After graduating, Bryant worked as an ASL interpreter for Kent Intermediate School District and did other freelance work as an interpreter in the community.
In 2019, Bryant started her own business, Access to ASL, to better serve the unique needs of West Michigan, where about 8% of residents identify as Deaf, DeafBlind or Hard of Hearing. Bryant also notes that many ASL users tend to be monolingual, which means communicating only in written English or with speech reading can lead to misunderstandings. Having an ASL interpreter in these situations is critical for effective communication.
Access to ASL provides interpreting services for government agencies, performing arts, healthcare and mental health education. The business has grown steadily thanks to strong partnerships and a focus on delivering culturally sensitive services that make a real impact here in our community. Bryant says she is excited to see businesses in the area recognize the value of having an ASL interpreter and the importance of providing accessible ways to build connections with customers.
Creating career awareness with a new GRCC education pathway
West Michigan is one of many communities with a critical shortage of ASL interpreters. According to the National Census of the Deaf Population, there are about 500,000 Deaf or Hard of Hearing Americans who use ASL. The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf lists around 10,000 certified ASL interpreters in the United States, which puts the ratio of Deaf or Hard of Hearing ASL users to interpreters at about 50 to 1.
To help address the shortage, Bryant worked with GRCC to develop a new ASL interpreter education pathway. Students seeking a degree will complete their general education courses and introductory American Sign Language courses at GRCC before transferring to Lansing Community College for its Sign Language Interpreter Program. The LCC program prepares students for state certification, which is required for anyone working as an interpreter.
Since the pathway launched in the fall of 2023, enrollment in ASL classes has increased substantially. “So many students don’t even think of interpreting as a career option,” said Bryant. “We want them to know about these great career opportunities and that they have access to a quality ASL education starting at GRCC. I look forward to seeing how this pathway continues to generate interest in our classes for years to come.”
Building a more accessible community
The need for interpreters will grow, especially as awareness of accessible communication continues to rise. According to GRCC estimates, demand for interpreters will increase by 24% by 2030. Technological solutions like virtual interpreting have helped fill some needs, but the cultural competency and personal connection of in-person interpreters will always be a core tenant of effective interpreting.
Bryant notes the need for more diverse interpreters to better reflect and match the diversity within the Deaf community. People of different cultures, backgrounds and identities are part of the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing community. Interpreters who understand these nuances through their lived experience will be crucial for facilitating communication.
Bryant says she believes her work has led her exactly where she’s supposed to be. She and a colleague, Rowan O'Dougherty, are currently collaborating with the City of Grand Rapids Office of Oversight and Public Accountability to create training videos. The videos will educate law enforcement officers on the needs of the Deaf community and legal obligations for providing interpreters, which will help improve communication and trust between officers and Deaf individuals in Grand Rapids.
Bryant is also working to expand the ASL program at GRCC, mentor young professionals and advocate for more accessibility initiatives across industries. “Community is at the heart of my work,” said Bryant. “My goal is to break down language barriers, foster effective communication and spread awareness of the field to help it diversify and flourish.”
To learn more, go to our American Sign Language and ASL course offerings webpages.
Bryant will be honored with the other Crain’s 40 Under 40 award winners at a special event on Oct. 17, 2024 at the JW Marriott Hotel in downtown Grand Rapids.
This story was reported by Mary Meadows.