How Has ASLdeafined.com Helped You?

Please share with us the ways that ASLdeafined.com has helped you.

Sign Language in the Workplace

Sign language in the workplace is becoming more prevalent as the number of people increases who are hearing impaired, or are completely deaf. Being able to use sign language to communicate and to interact with a deaf co-worker is essential for establishing a positive working climate, and for building a strong rapport. It is equally vital for people to learn sign language who work in environments such as restaurants, hospitals, and retail businesses. In fact, it is not unusual, nor is it strange, to encounter people who cannot hear in every social setting imaginable.

Visualize the reaction a deaf person would have if he/she walked into your establishing to make a purchase, or to request help. You, or one of your employees, greet this customer in sign language by saying, “Hello. How are you?” Or, “Hello, can I help you?” How do you think this deaf customer will react? How good does it feel to this employee that he or she can sign enough to help this customer by communicating in their language? You do not need to be proficient at sign language to help a customer who is deaf. You can simply learn some basic signs and sentences in order to help out this person, especially if the signs are related to your area of employment/interest.

If you wanted to become an interpreter for the deaf, you would need to enroll in an interpreting program at a local college, or university. However, in today’s world, you have the opportunity to learn some basic phrases and words in sign language online, that would allow you to complete a sale, or to assist a deaf person. The World Wide Web has a vast amount of knowledge for people to learn American Sign Language. Some of the websites have themed lessons for people like you to learn what is needed. Some websites have a large video dictionary to customize to your liking. You now have the ability to select certain words that pertain to your workplace and to the deaf people you help/encounter on a daily basis.

The Deaf community is relatively small and cohesive. The moment you sign with your deaf patrons, the word of your interaction with them will spread like wildfire among the community. Deaf people seek out businesses and retailers that attempt to make a concerted effort to interact with them. Again, you don’t have to be proficient at sign language to ask a deaf person if he or she needs assistance. Having a basic understanding of sign language and deaf culture will go a long way. And if they ask, “Oh, do you know sign language,” you can simply reply, “A little bit.”

When looking online for a good sign language website, the following things should be considered:

Are the lessons themed, instead of a list of words?
1. Does the site offer ASL grammar and practice?
2. Are there retention exercises to help with memorization?
3. Can you review lessons if needed?
4. Is the site available 24/7?
5. Are the videos clear and large enough to see?

These are important criteria to have for your sign language learning. You want to seek out websites that has all of the above features. If it doesn’t, you may want to check out additional websites that will.

Regardless of your job status, the learning of sign language will be beneficial, rewarding, and worthwhile. After all, you may not even have a job, but you have a friend (or friends) who are deaf. Now you can communicate with them better and more effectively. How powerful is that? Have fun with signing and meet people from a diverse cultural background, especially the Deaf community. There, you will meet some tremendous people just waiting to communicate with you.

Do You Enjoy Learning Sign Language?

If you answered yes to this poll, have you considered taking a sign language program online?  The best way to learn signing is to obtain necessary vocabulary, socialize with the deaf community, and practice your sign language skills.  With an online sign language program, you can review lessons, activities, and vocabulary 24/7.  Learning sign language with a friend or buddy is another great way. 

The most important thing about learning sign language online is to have fun and enjoy it.  Sign language is one of  the most beautiful languages.

American Association of the Deaf-Blind

The American Association of the Deaf-Blind (AADB) is a national organization that assists people who are deaf-blind, with equipment, education, and other needs.   Their mission states, “To ensure that all deaf-blind persons achieve their maximum potential through increased independence, productivity, and integration into the community.”

Every 2 years or so, AADB conducts a national convention for people who are deaf-blind.  On the average, 300 deaf and blind people would attend these conferences.  Along with the participants, interpreters from all over the United States would volunteer their time for an entire week to interpret for conference attendees.  This is when I first got involved in AADB.  In 1996, I volunteered to interpret for a deaf-blind young man named Allan.  He wasn’t completely blind, but was deaf.  His vision was limited due to Ushers Syndrome, also known as “Tunnel Vision”.

I had never met Allan prior to being assigned as his SSP (special service provider) for the week.  However, I talked to his mom on the phone to make sure he would be taken care of because not only was he deaf-blind, but was also a severe diabetic.

The day arrived for me to fly to Oklahoma for this national convention of the AADB.  Finally, I met Allan, this young man I heard so much about from his mom.  The week went by so fast.  Allan told me about his life in Utah, his girlfriend, and how he would fly to see her in Kansas.  Allan did not let his deaf-blindness stop him from doing anything he wanted.  In fact, on the last day of the conference, Allan told me that he would be coming to Detroit.  Now, keep in mind, I just met Allan at the beginning of the week.  I am from Rochester, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit.  So, to make sure he understood correctly, I asked Allan, what state is Detroit in?  He told me Michigan and gave me a look like, “duh”??

During this convention, Allan told me he would be in Rochester to get a Guide Dog at the world-renowned school (Leader Dogs For The Blind)  located just a mile from my home.  Now, in the United States and throughout the world, there is only one school that trains dogs for individuals who are both deaf and blind, and it was only 5 minutes from my house.  When Allan arrived at Leader Dogs, I had the awesome opportunity to interpret for him for 3 weeks while he trained at the school.  It was a thrilling day when both Allan and Sydney graduated, prior to the two of them making the trip to Allan’s home in Utah.  Prior to receiving Sydney, Allan used his white cane to navigate the streets of his home town.  A year later, I flew to Utah to visit with Allan.  Two of us arrived at his home, but was told Allan and Sydney were on a 6-mile walk into town.  We drove into town, hoping to catch a glimpse of him.  We stopped at a gas station, only to be told that he walks past here every day, and he passed by a half hour ago.  We were told he usually continues to a restaurant where they have a bowl of water for Sydney every day.  We went there.  Too late.  We continued our search to the insurance company where he usually stopped in to see him mom.  Again, we were too late.  From there, we went to the local college where he was working in their cafeteria in food preparations.  Finally, we caught up with this very busy friend, and Sydney.

Over the years, Allan and I became very good friends.  I was awestruck by the conferences sponsored by AADB, and continued to interpret for Allan every two years for the next many years.  Allan learned a great deal at these events.  However, I learned a lot more from all of the people that shared their stories with me.  I am forever grateful for AADB and their efforts to support deaf-blind people all over the United States.  As you improve on your sign language skills, perhaps you will be involved in attending this conference too.  I guarantee, you will come away from it with a lot more than what you had when you arrived.

For additional information about The American Association of the Deaf-Blind (AADB), visit their website www.AADB.org .

Deaf Culture Tip

Deaf Culture Etiquette

Do’s & Don’ts when communicating with a person who is deaf or hard-of-hearing

Do’s:

• Look directly at the person
• Watch for understanding through facial expressions and head nods
• If the person does not understand a particular word, find a different word that means the same thing
• Repeat a phrase or idea when necessary
• If conversation is lacking understanding, use a pencil and paper or use a text device to help with communication
• Do talk in a normal manner

Don’ts:

• Do not break eye contact during the conversation
• Do not exaggerate mouth movements
• Do not yell at the deaf or hard-of-hearing person
• Do not refer to the person as “he” or “she”
• Do not pretend to understand if you do not
• Do not eat while you are talking to a person with a hearing loss
• Do not mumble or cover your mouth with your hands

For people who are interested in learning American Sign Language, there are lessons online at http://www.ASLdeafined.com

American and British Sign Language ABC’s

Click on the following pictures to learn the American Sign Language Alphabet and the British Sign Language Alphabet.

American Sign Language ABC’s

British Sign Language Two-Handed ABC’s

Deaf Awareness Quiz

How much do you know about the Deaf Community?

True or False

1.      All deaf people can talk?

2.     Deaf people don’t mind working in noisy places?

3.      American Sign Language is a universal language?

4.     Deaf people cannot drive?

5.     All deaf people know American Sign Language?

6.     All deaf people attend a residential program (deaf school)?

7.     Deaf people can read Braille?

8.     All deaf people wear hearing aids?

9.     Deaf people can find jobs pretty easy?

10.  Deaf people can do ANYTHING except hear?

11.   American Sign Language is a form of shorthand?

12.   American Sign Language is not a “real” language because it has no written form?

All of the answers above are false except number 10.  Deaf people can do anything except hear.

Upcoming Events of ASL Expo

To keep your sign language skills sharp, it is important to interact as much as possible with the Deaf Community.  One way is to attend various events that support ASL.  Some of these events may occur near your home.

Here is a brief explanation about ASL Expo:

“The ASL EXPO, short for American Sign Language Exposition, is the premier trade show for the sign language community where suppliers, distributors, organizations for the deaf, deaf-blind and hard of hearing, interpreting services, and many more exhibit sign language related products, services, and technologies to a vast audience in a fun-filled atmosphere. ASL EXPO welcomes everyone, including the deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing, those with a hearing loss, people with disabilities, interpreters, families of deaf children, and sign language students and beginners.” (from www.aslexpo.com)

ASL Expo will be visiting numerous cities in the next couple of months.  Listed below are some of their stops.

Look around in your community for unique opportunities to be involved in the Deaf Community.

Hello world!

Welcome to ASLdeafined.com, an interactive website for anyone to learn American Sign Language.