Judy Leach knows with American Sign Language, actions are as loud as words.
Leach became interested in sign language many years ago after seeing an interpreter sign during a musical performance, and her interest reignited when she moved to The Villages in 2020.
Now she coordinates meetings and disseminates information for Fun With ASL, a Villages’ Resident Lifestyle Group that is less than a year old.
“I’m glad I’m learning,” said Leach, of the Village of Dunedin. “I know if I want to get better, I need to dedicate more time and practice, so when I’m around deaf people I can communicate easier.”
More than 230 deaf individuals live in The Villages, and Leach said over 120 people signed up for the Fun With ASL newsletter.
She said her desire to create better communication came after participating in one of the popular pastimes for Villagers, table tennis.
Several deaf individuals participate in social events and Villages activities, from pickleball and water volleyball to golf and table tennis, Leach said — including the two instructors of the Fun With ASL group, Pamela Stuzman and Suzie Bachtel.
The goal of the class is to teach participants easy ASL signs and phrases that can be used to communicate with the deaf community during active events.
“It’s a very casual learning of American Sign Language,” Leach said. “We hope to improve the general acceptance of deaf individuals living in The Villages.”
Stuzman, of the Village of Monarch Grove, was born deaf and didn’t speak until the age of 5. She can hear high frequencies but not low, and recently was told she had three to five years of hearing left before it will be completely gone.
Bachtel, of the Village of Newell, also was born deaf and had her first hearing test at 18 months old. She can hear low frequencies, but not high. She spends her time playing softball, water volleyball, golf and pickleball with her two deaf siblings, who also live in The Villages.
During the monthly meeting on Aug. 13, the pair filled the room with laughter, understanding and easy communication by telling stories about experiences from their younger days while teaching signs.
“I’m very animated. I’ve been like this since I was (knee-high),” Stuzman said.
To start off the hourlong meeting, the instructors positioned chairs into a small u-shape so everyone could see each other. They then taught signs and phrases including numbers, places, emotions, weather and things you find in The Villages.
They also taught the signs for pickleball, volleyball, recreation and The Villages town squares at Spanish Springs, Brownwood and Lake Sumter Landing.
Toward the end of the meeting, participants had a little time to put what they learned into practice, try to socialize with deaf individuals in the club and ask more questions if needed.
Stuzman said the group is a great place for seniors who recently lost or are losing their hearing to learn how to communicate. Although participants don’t have to be experts in sign language, they are asked to review the ASL alphabet and numbers before the meeting.
“I encourage anyone who can show up to come,” Stuzman said. “Bring your spouse so they can support you and you both can learn to communicate. I’m a big believer in communication.”
“It might be overwhelming, but it’s OK. Just practice,” she said. “You have to see it often to understand it, and that’s why we review. We want you to get your fingers moving and depend on your eyes, not your ears.”
The group meets from 6 to 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at Moyer Recreation. Those who would like to attend the upcoming meeting scheduled for Sept. 10 should RSVP by sending an email to leach.judy@gmail.com with the subject: “I want to join Fun With ASL.”
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
