Learning and Understanding Sign Language
Sign language helps to bridge the gap between those who can hear and those who cannot. Using a collection of hand gestures and symbols, sign language is an effective means of communication that provides the deaf and those hard of hearing a way interact with the world around them. Learning and understanding sign language isn't just for the hearing impaired—it's also for those interested in being able to communicate with the hearing impaired. Sign language is not difficult to learn, and surveys show that a need for those who can use sign language is growing in business and around the world. Many colleges and universities have developed degrees programs in sign language to fill this need.
History tells us that the hearing impaired were once thought inferior to those who were not, but many hearing impaired or deaf people have made significant contributions to society. If these people were not given the ability to communicate with the world through sign language, then the gifts they had for society could never be shared. To learn more about hearing impairments, sign language, the Deaf culture and communities, and the use of sign language in our society, please visit the sites below:
Learn how sign language got started and how it soon spread.
Center for Disability and Referral
A kid's site that teaches the American Sign Language alphabet.
Sign language was developed as a means to communicate to those who have lost their hearing or are hearing impaired.
American Sign Language Browser
Use the Internet to learn sign language at this site from Michigan State University
The importance of learning sign language in business, schools and society.
What are Classifiers in Sign Language?
Sign language is composed of many different elements—discover the meaning of classifiers and how they help to show movement. The site shows videos of each of the different classifiers
American Sign Language as a Foreign Language
Many schools and universities have adopted ASL as a foreign language for students to learn in place of learning a foreign language.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration provides information on occupational noise exposure
Understanding hearing impairment and loss of hearing and how it happens.
University of Texas defines the different types of hearing loss experienced by the hearing impaired.
Often linked to noise induced hearing loss, the American Academy of Otolaryngology provides information you need about tinnitus in children.
A guide to help you when you suspect your baby has a hearing loss.
The Johns Hopkins Medical magazine shares information about hearing loss in musicians.
Hearing loss and deafness and how it occurs.
Learn how the middle ear works and the symptoms that can occur with hearing loss.
Mobile ASL is a Washington State University project conducted by students that incorporates new technologies and sign language together.
A guide to help the hearing impaired communicate electronically.
Learn about captions and the importance captions play in the deaf community.
The National Association of the Deaf
The National Association of the Deaf helps to protect those who are hearing impaired. Understanding why access to the human language is a basic right.
The World Federation of the Deaf
Current affairs and news at the World Federation of the Deaf to help protect the rights of those who are hearing impaired worldwide.
Sign Language Interpreting in the Classroom
Ohio State University often uses ASL Interpreters in the classroom to help those hearing impaired.
Understanding the American Disability Act
Americans with disabilities are a protected working class – find out how this program works.
The National Theatre of the Deaf
How "Stories in My Pocket" evolved at the National Theater of the Deaf.
An organization to help bridge the gap between the hearing and the hearing impaired. Why so many of the Deaf community are cut off from mainstream society.
Advances in the Studies of Human Motion
How the use of technology is helping in studies of human motion for integration into ASL.
Using Sign Language in Other Countries
Nicaraguan Sign Language was developed in the last 30 years to reach out and communicate with the hearing impaired.
The ASL Shakespeare Project started when a team of people decided to complete Shakespeare's play, the Twelfth Night in sign language.
International Center on Deafness and the Arts through Education
A background on the International Center on Deafness and the Arts and how it works to help hearing impaired children develop their creativity and talents.
Teaching Sign Language to Primates
Researchers teach sign language to primates as a means of communication.