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My Deaf Son Fought Speech. Sign Language Let Him Bloom

I watched my toddler wade into the Gulf and launch a fistful of pebbles in flight. They glistened, tiny sparks of light, before I realized he was up to his chin in cold water. And I realized that if I called his name, if I screamed it, the word would sink like stone.

When Micah turned 2 we had learned that he was profoundly deaf. In the audiologist’s office, an auditory brain response concluded he couldn’t hear a helicopter. “You’re taking this well,” the doctor had said. But later, as I watched Micah step deeper into the Gulf water, I wanted to rage. I was so angry, I could have torn the beach apart.

We celebrated his third birthday, and the audiologist turned his cochlear…

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Resources

7 Tips for Sign Language Learners

Stop with the misconception that American Sign Language is just a “translation” of English. It is in fact a recognized language with it’s own grammar and syntax, rules, etc. It takes just as long to learn ASL as any other language like Spanish, German, etc.

Deafined

http://www.ASLdeafined.com is an interactive website for anyone to learn American Sign Language. This site was developed to help deaf students improve their English grammar; for parents to improve their sign language skills; and for the community at large to learn to sign.

Signing Online

Signing Online offers web-based courses, designed to effectively teach you American Sign Language (ASL) at your own pace from anywhere using your computer, tablet or smart phone.

Signing Savvy

The Signing Savvy web site, launched in January 2009, has grown to become the most comprehensive online sign language resource for educators, students, or anyone interested in American Sign Language. The goal of the site is to provide you with the tools you need to enhance your sign language education and assist you in your day-to-day sign language communication needs.

Start ASL

Start ASL offers a variety of material and resources ranging from free online lessons to courses specially designed for Students, Teachers, and Homeschoolers; as well as an individualized Tutoring Program for those who desire one-on-one learning.

The Sign Language Company

The Sign Language Company has provided certified and qualified interpreters throughout California and around the Globe.

American Sign Language

All things American Sign Language.

ASL Access

Deaf and hearing people worldwide want to learn and enjoy American Sign Language – ASL. Our vision here at ASL Access is to promote public access to ASL.

ASL Master Mentor

RaVen is an experienced ASL coach and a talented teacher. She is very thorough in how she assesses her students' skills and how she gives specific feedback, using a variety of techniques. She has lots of great ideas and is also flexible and willing to work with students on specific things they want to focus on.

CSD

CSD exists to address communication inequalities in the Deaf Community. There's nothing else that means more to us than communication access.