Using a Hands-on approach: Ramiro Espinoza

Ramiro Espinoza of Harlingen has been captivated by computer systems for most of his life.
“Since I was in middle school I have been curious about technology,” said Espinoza through the use of a deaf interpreter. “I would open things up and see how they work. I would work with different computer programs.”
Espinoza, 26, is a senior at The University of Texas at Brownsville majoring in Computer Information Systems and Technology and will graduate in December. He has also been deaf since he was an infant.
“I was born hearing,” he said. “At 10 months I had a high fever, and that caused me to lose some of my hearing.”
Espinoza was raised in Weslaco but has lived in Harlingen most of his academic career. He earned a certificate and associate degree from South Texas College in McAllen and Texas State Technical College in Harlingen, respectively.
“My associate was more focused on how to work with computers hands-on, but at UTB I’m learning more about the theory,” Espinoza said. “So I have both the hands-on and theory approaches to computers.”
While computers are Espinoza’s first passion, he also wants to educate the community about deaf culture. He was the master of ceremonies for the fifth annual UTB American Sign Language Talent Show that took place on Sept. 24.
“I was pretty nervous at the beginning,” Espinoza said. “It was my first time being the MC, but once I warmed up I had a really good time and really enjoyed the show.”
Espinoza said the purpose of the ASL Talent Show is to educate people about deaf and hard of hearing culture. The show features skits and performances all done in American Sign Language and featuring interpreters for the hearing.
“I wanted to showcase the deaf perspective,” he said. “I wanted to show that we can do things. It’s a unique experience. It’s a unique culture, and (the talent show) was so they could learn about our culture.”
After he graduates in the fall, Espinoza hopes to continue working with computers, but he is undecided about how exactly to approach such a future.
“I’m thinking about moving out of state,” he said. “I’m between moving out of state or working in the Valley somewhere in my major. I know I’m graduating soon, so I need to decide between that.”
Espinoza said he might also pursue a master’s degree in either Information Technology or Deaf Studies which would allow him to teach.
“I like teaching,” he said. “I think I would enjoy teaching kids my love for technology.”
Regardless of the road Espinoza chooses to take, he said he hopes other people might take the time to learn more about the deaf community by taking ASL courses, researching information online or by simply asking a deaf person about themselves.
“Never be too shy to ask,” he said. “I think that people should know that first and foremost we’re human. Our communication mode is different, but it does not mean that we can’t do certain things. We just have a different way of communicating.”