Since language proficiency in ASL has always been necessary for the internship, we already had some experience with issues of placement when the service-learning program was instituted at our college. Some of the same issues exist for both programs, mainly that you cannot place a student in a situation with Deaf individuals if the student's ASL skills are not developed enough. This is not to say that they are themselves fluent as that requires many years of second language use but they have the skills to learn and manage in those environments. Service-learning, on the other hand, often comes into play earlier in the program. We have been able to place many students in service-learning sites through creative placement.
Students can develop picture cards and use computer technology to create experience books.
This population also has many clients who use very simple signs. Service-learning students with less advanced skills can work with these clients and their staff in group homes and agencies. We also worked with an agency which services this population to develop training tapes for their staff, most of whom are hired with no knowledge of signed communication. Since the focus is simple, daily living skills and the language to communicate these concepts, we can use newer students. These students work with the agency to develop a script of short phrases which they can practice repeatedly before videotaping.