You met a Deaf person...Now What!?
Don't be afraid. Get EXCITED!
You are probably here because you have looked at every option possible but haven't found the right tools to get you started or to keep learning ASL. Do you have questions but are too afraid to "look funny" when asking a deaf person? Do you know very few signs that you don't feel comfortable trying to have a conversation yet? Are you unsure how you will "look" without being fluent yet in ASL? Do you prefer to learn basic knowledge and learn useful tools from someone who speaks your language first before diving into a silent/SIGNED language?
I have been there and I know how you feel.
Knowing a few words in ASL won't be enough. Here your journey to learning and educating yourself on a community that wants to communicate with us begins.
Take the first step...
Watch the FREE mini-course video guide now!
If you thought American Sign Language (ASL) was Universal...
Just like spoken languages, sign languages are not universal either. Each culture has it's own unique values and words for things which helps form language within those cultures.
If you think ASL and English are the same...
They're actually not. You will learn how different they are and how much more you need to know before you can say you are "fluent" in ASL. Anyone can learn a language but Sign Language is more intricate than we think.
If you say things like "They're hearing-impaired" or "All Deaf people read lips..."
Then you need to know why we should NOT say these things or assume all deaf individuals are the same. Society teaches us these things because there aren't many talking to the deaf community enough to know that these are things you should not be saying.
If you thought Deaf culture wasn't real...
The deaf community will make sure you know all about their culture and how to respect it. Deaf culture is a REAL thing and we in the "hearing" world are told so many things that we should NOT be doing in the deaf community.
Hello, Hearing Friends!
Welcome to your ASL/Deaf culture basics learning journey! I'm Jess, a full-time ASL Trilingual Interpreter and I look forward to supporting you along the way. I have been in this profession now for 7 years, and have experienced, interpreted, and witnessed things that I wish society knew more about the deaf community. That's why I created this resource to help others feel confident asking things in our main language, English, to then see if learning ASL is a goal you may want to achieve next. There is so much we will never experience that deaf individuals go through on a daily basis and if we don't take the time and have patience to support them or spread the word, nothing will improve.
We have to understand the deaf community as this is the community we will serve, not just have a way to communicate with them. Everyday I realize how hard they have it in a world that can hear and we only need to realize the simple steps we can take to make the world more accessible. I look forward to teaching you the basics of what to keep in mind, what you will encounter, and what society doesn't teach us about accessibility for the deaf community.
When you're ready, LET'S GET SIGNING!
Take the First Step and Let's Get SIGNING!
Here you will learn the must know basics about ASL, deaf culture, and the deaf community before you start learning just the signs.
