“In the video, Ryan Bondroff with his SSP, Bethany Stratton and Lorie Szynal-Rich with her SSP, Stacie Stelmach were on the platform describing how ProTactile had impacted them.

 

     Lorie from Oregon shared her first experiences at Seabeck camp back in 2011. She was moved to understand the ProTactile American Sign Language (PTASL) communication when she felt that her back, arms, thighs and feet were touched in order to understand her surroundings and her environment space. ProTactile was  created by AJ Granda and Jelica Nuccio in Seattle, Washington. 

              

      For the first time, Lorie was not feeling isolated when she received the mood and facial gestures of other people while she continued her conversation uninterrupted. Her awareness about ProTactile helped her to decide to teach her husband and her 19 year old daughter her preferred communication, PTASL. She emphasized that ProTactile awareness should be spread around the world.

 

      Ryan from Washington State recommended that the arms be touched frequently. He demonstrated a few signs on his arm .... signing Yes and No and patting to indicate that you keep nodding. That happens when I let my DeafBlind friend know my reactions during the one to one conversation. Depending on the DeafBlind individual's sensitivity, you need to know do not touch on her/his arms, back and thigh areas. Usually, the DeafBlind person informs others (SSPs, interpreters, and friends) of her/his preferred Backchanneling signs to be aware of their environment. Backchanneling on my back gives me the opportunity to participate in social interactions like what you normally receive through your sight. AJ Granda and Jelica Nuccio usually give the ProTactile workshops. They have taught the students at Western Oregon University and SeaBeck camp. You can learn ProTactile on YouTube starting here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l11lahuiHLA”