Learning ASL
Resources for learning American Sign LanguageLearning ASL with your Child
The American Society for Deaf Children has programs that will help you learn American Sign Language. Giving your child access to a visual language like ASL will help provide a strong foudation for learning and communication that will last a lifetime.
Learning ASL in Person
Check out our ASL Weekends – a two-day workshop that will help you take your ASL skills to the next level. All skills levels welcome!
Learning ASL Online
Want to practice signing from home? Become an ASDC member and get five free sessions of SignOn with ASDC. You’ll sign in real time with a Deaf adult. You can choose your topics of conversation, schedule sessions as a time that is most convenient for you, and go back and watch your recorded sessions for more practice! SignOn also has a program for kids called “Friends Like Me” where your child can chat weekly with a group of kids their age.
In addition ASDC regularly offers online classes and webinars.
Learning ASL through Reading
Find hundreds of popular children’s story books in our ASL Stories Directory. Link out to free videos of ASL interpretations of the stories. You can even watch several different interpretations of the same story! Look up books alphabetically by title or by your child’s age.
Recent Blog Posts: ASL Resources
ASL Video of the Week: Good to be Me
"Good to be Me" by Jessica Parham "Good to be Me" is an adorable children's book written by the author Jessica Parham, illustrated by Srimalie Bassani, and signed by Amelia the Archaeologist. Just in time for back-to-school transitions and experiences, this...
ASL Weekend: A Fun and Interactive Two-Day Workshop for Parents & Professionals | October 2022 in Knoxville, TN
October is just around the corner and we're getting ready for our next ASL Weekend! Join us in Knoxville, TN for ASDC's fall ASL Weekend and take your ASL skills to the next level! ASL Weekend is a two-day ASL workshop for parents, professionals, and anyone interested...
NY Times Article: A Language Changed
Photos credits: Changing signs for “phone.”Mohamed Sadek and Ege Soyuer for The New York TimesASDC is always watching the ever-evolving trends that take place in language and language development - especially when it involves American Sign Language (ASL). In the July...
RoseBYANDER Supports ASDC
Thank you to RoseBYANDER for this special video! — We at RoseBYANDER believe in supporting #education for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children everywhere. This week we are supporting the American Society for Deaf Children. Learn more about the organization...
Crucial Conversations: Supporting My Child’s Mental Wellness in a Hearing World: The Parent’s Perspective | July 26, 2022 @ 2 pm ET
This is the second conversation in a months-long series in ASDC's collaboration with Signed by Stories highlighting the challenges that deaf youth face in finding support for the their mental health. It is our hope that these live-streamed and crucial conversations...
ASL VIDEO OF THE WEEK: Sign “HAND” 10 Different Ways
Did you know there are 10 different ways to sign the word "HAND"? There is! Learn about them here! Video: Meanings of HAND in ASLASL presenters: Trix BruceVoice-overs: Lynne D. SmithEditor: Don ParnellProduced by: Read with ASL & Chris Wixtrom On-screen sentences...
Black American Sign Language Representation – Craig of the Creek on Cartoon Network
We love to see this! Representation and even more representation in children’s tv shows is so exciting! This is now on our Summer TV Binge List! —— Posted @withregram • Cartoon Network Check out the Black American Sign Language representation in Craig of the Creek!...
DEAF-OWNED BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Tony Mac Art
July Deaf Business Spotlight: Tony Mac Art Hailing from Texas and based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Dr. Tony Landon McGregor, aka “Tony Mac,” is an artist and a deaf educator of children from Navajo families. Tony Mac is best known for his beautiful wood-burned gourd...
ASL Video of the Week: “LINE” – 12 Different Meanings in ASL
Did you know there are 12 different meanings for the word "LINE"? Learn the different meanings and how you can use them in your conversations! Video: Meanings of LINE in ASLASL presenters: Luul Del, Ashley Russ, Nicole Greene, Trix Bruce, Jeff Padon, Yan...
The Cogswell-Macy Act – Your Support Needed
It's the #CogswellMacyAct #TwitterBlast week! We NEED you to ask your legislators to co-sponsor this bill, which will improve IDEA for deaf/hard of hearing, blind/low vision & deaf-blind children. Use the Toolkit to learn how to help and be sure to SHARE...
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ASL Stories Directory
We’ve made it easy for you to find hundreds of free videos of ASL retellings of your child’s favorite books. Search for stories by your child’s age or by the book’s title.
Practice ASL online!
Sign with a Deaf adult in real time and choose your conversation topics. Or your child can join “Friends Like Me” and chat with other deaf and hard of hearing children their age once a week. ASDC members get 5 FREE sessions (a $125 value). Not a member yet? Join ASDC.
