Rochester native, Chad Krohn, is using his social media skills to teach people how to communicate in sign language. 

“I decided if no one is going to do it, then I have to do it,” said Krohn.

Growing up, Krohn was no stranger to communicating in sign language. His mother is deaf and his father is an interpreter. But one day after learning he wasn’t able to effectively communicate with one of his deaf friends on social media, he knew he had to do something about it. 

“I always envisioned a future where everyone knew sign language and when I hopped on Snapchat, I was waiting and waiting for someone to do what I was doing, but no one took the opportunity to do it,” said Krohn. 

Last August he decided to use the social media app, Snapchat, to teach thousands of people here in Rochester and across the world how to speak the language. With the tap of a Bluetooth remote and his smartphone, Krohn produces dozens of stories a day showing people the basics. 

“I do ASL games and lessons here and there and also I sign about my day and therefore people start picking up certain words,” said Krohn.

Krohn said he reaches between 500 and 1,000 people on Snapchat daily. He now wants to take it to the next level. 

“I believe I’m going to go viral. I think that’s a very absurd comment to make, but I’m doing something so extreme and so ridiculous that no one should do it, but I’m doing it,” said Krohn. 

At the end of the day, his ultimate goal is to increase deaf awareness. He hopes one day businesses across Rochester will pick up on this movement.