Foundations of American Sign Language for Healthcare Professionals Micro-Credential
Build communication skills that support accessible, patient-centered care.
Effective healthcare starts with communication. The Foundations of American Sign Language for Healthcare Professionals Micro-Credential helps University at Buffalo medical students develop introductory ASL skills, understand Deaf culture and learn strategies for communicating respectfully with Deaf patients.
Through online learning and supervised clinical simulations, you'll practice foundational communication skills while learning when and how to work with qualified healthcare interpreters.
Build a foundation for more accessible and culturally responsive healthcare interactions. This four-week hybrid program combines introductory American Sign Language instruction, Deaf cultural awareness and practical communication strategies designed for medical settings.
You'll learn healthcare-related signs and phrases, explore communication barriers experienced by Deaf patients and practice patient-centered interactions through supervised clinical simulations.
This program focuses on limited, routine healthcare communication and does not prepare students to independently provide medical interpretation.
Program highlights
- Develop foundational ASL vocabulary for routine healthcare interactions
- Learn about Deaf culture, communication access and patient-centered care
- Practice visual communication strategies in clinical settings
- Understand when and how to work with qualified healthcare interpreters
- Apply your skills through supervised patient-intake simulations
- Earn a digital badge recognizing your completed training
- Eligibility: University at Buffalo medical students in Phases 2 and 3 currently enrolled in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
- Program length: Four weeks
- Instruction method: Hybrid, with online learning and required in-person clinical simulations
- Online commitment: Approximately two hours per week
- In-person commitment: Three required clinical simulations, approximately two hours each
- Location: Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, downtown Buffalo
- Assessment: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
The program combines four online learning modules with supervised clinical experiences.
Week 1: Deaf culture and healthcare communication
Explore Deaf culture, communication-access needs and barriers that Deaf patients may experience in healthcare settings. Learn how cultural humility and patient-centered practices support respectful interactions.
Week 2: Foundational ASL for healthcare
Develop introductory healthcare-related ASL vocabulary, including greetings, introductions and language used in routine patient interactions. Practice visual communication strategies through videos and interactive exercises.
Week 3: Clinical simulations
Apply your skills during three supervised clinical simulations. Practice structured healthcare interactions, appropriate interpreter protocols and patient-centered communication while receiving feedback from instructors.
Week 4: Final assessment
Bring your learning together through a recorded patient-intake simulation and written reflection. Demonstrate your foundational communication skills, recognize their limitations and identify situations requiring qualified interpreter support.
Final assessment
To earn the micro-credential, you must complete two final assessment components:
- Recorded patient-intake simulation: A four- to six-minute scripted interaction demonstrating foundational ASL vocabulary, visual communication strategies, patient-centered behavior and appropriate interpreter protocols.
- Reflective analysis: A 400- to 600-word written reflection evaluating your communication strengths, areas for continued development, Deaf cultural considerations and appropriate use of qualified interpreters.
You must also complete all required online activities and clinical simulations and earn a rating of Proficient (3) or higher on all required rubric criteria.
Earning a digital badge
Once you successfully complete the requirements, you'll earn a digital badge recognizing your foundational training in ASL and accessible healthcare communication.
Your badge will be issued through Credly and can be shared on LinkedIn, added to your digital resume or included in an e-portfolio.
Build foundational ASL skills and cultural awareness that can help you better understand the communication needs of Deaf patients and support accessible, patient-centered healthcare.
Through this program, you'll learn to:
- Recognize communication barriers and accessibility needs in healthcare settings
- Use foundational ASL vocabulary and phrases during limited, scripted clinical interactions
- Apply visual communication strategies and culturally responsive care practices
- Recognize when qualified healthcare interpreters are needed and follow appropriate protocols
- Evaluate your communication skills and identify opportunities for continued professional development
These experiences can help you become a more thoughtful, culturally responsive healthcare professional.
Skills you'll develop
Career readiness competencies
- Career and Self-Development
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Equity and Inclusion
- Leadership
- Professionalism
- Teamwork
*Categories based on the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) key competencies.
Specialized skills
- American Sign Language (ASL)
- ASL for Healthcare Professionals
- Deaf Cultural Awareness
- Accessible Healthcare Communication
- Healthcare Interpreter Protocols
- Patient-Centered Communication
Ready to strengthen your communication skills and learn more about accessible healthcare?
Complete the enrollment form below to express your interest in the Foundations of American Sign Language for Healthcare Professionals Micro-Credential.
This program is open to eligible UB medical students in Phases 2 and 3.
For questions about the Foundations of American Sign Language for Healthcare Professionals Micro-Credential, please contact:
