Blog | Start ASL

Student Papers

Updated November 22, 2021/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Megan Clancy

Robert Giba 11-21-21 The Silent Souls with Loud Issues – COVID and Mental Health Concerns in the Deaf Community Since March of 2019, the world was has become a […]

Language Deprivation in Deaf Children

Updated November 11, 2021/0 Comments/in About ASL, Baby Sign Language, Deaf Accessibility, Hearing Loss /by Katelyn Cheng

A person shared that she heard so many stories of parents being told that their baby or child has failed their hearing tests and how sorry the doctor is to […]

How Do Deaf Athletes Play Sports and Keep Their Cochlear Implants On?

Updated November 8, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf/ASL News /by Katelyn Cheng

There are a lot of D/HH athletes out there, whether it is recreational or professional. The most common thing people wonder about is how do D/HH athletes participate in their […]

How Do Cochlear Implant Users Deal with Noisy Environment and Keep Them On When Riding Roller Coasters

Updated November 1, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Accessibility /by Katelyn Cheng

Cochlear implants are a hearing device that allows a deaf person to hear. The sound is transmitted through using a processor, an external coil (magnet), and an internal receiver (magnet) […]

How to be an Ally for the Deaf Community

Updated October 26, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Accessibility, Deaf Culture /by Katelyn Cheng

What does it mean to be an Ally? An Ally, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is defined as to join (yourself) with another person or group to get or give […]

Deaf Friends or Deaf Dating | Social ASL

Updated October 18, 2021/0 Comments/in About ASL, Deaf Culture, Free Lessons, Start ASL Community /by Katelyn Cheng

In general, have you noticed it is hard to find the love of your life, or you just moved to a new area and are craving to make new friends? […]

Starbucks Becomes Inclusive of the Deaf Community

Updated October 11, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Accessibility, Student Papers /by Megan Clancy

by Madisen Fritz | 24 September 2021 Ordering a simple cup of coffee or specialty java drink is, for most Americans, is a normal part of their mundane morning routine, […]

What is Deaf Culture and who is the Deaf Community?

Updated October 11, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Culture, Deaf History, Student Papers /by Megan Clancy

by Ksenia Muhutdinova | 6 October 2021 Deaf culture is the culture made up of Deaf people that’s based on sign language and values, as well traditions and behavior norms […]

Deaf People and Music

Updated October 11, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Culture, Student Papers /by Megan Clancy

by Madelynn Willingham | 7 October 2021 For our last research paper of this class, I decided to investigate how the D/deaf experience music. When people experience music, they typically […]

History of American Sign Language

Updated October 8, 2021/0 Comments/in About ASL, Deaf History, Student Papers /by Megan Clancy

by Faith Ekart | 29 September 21 Sign language has been around for a really long time. People don’t know exactly when it started, but people have been using types […]

Two Technologies to Help the Hearing Impaired

Updated October 8, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Accessibility, Hearing Loss, Student Papers /by Megan Clancy

by Lakin Getz | 29 September 2021 Many technological advances have been made throughout the history of deafness. This technology can help everyday life, specific activities, and interpreting. Two new […]

Our Top 7 Deaf Dating Sites

Updated October 4, 2021/in Hearing Loss /by Start ASL

Deaf dating sites are popular among many in the deaf and hard of hearing communities. However, there are a lot of niche dating sites out there that it can be […]

Top 10 & 25 American Sign Language Signs for Beginners – The Most Know Top 10 & 25 ASL Signs to Learn First

Updated September 29, 2021/0 Comments/in About ASL, ASL Dictionary, Baby Sign Language, Deaf Culture, Free Lessons /by Katelyn Cheng

Have you been wanting or thinking about learning a new language? You’ve come to right place! American Sign Language (ASL) is a beautiful visual language to learn and it […]

Video Relay Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Updated September 24, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Accessibility, Deaf Culture, Deaf History /by Jessica M.

Video Relay Services (VRS) are a type of video relay services that many Deaf, hard of hearing, Deafblind people and people with speech disabilities use to communicate to hearing […]

Learn Sign Language with Our Complete 3-Level Course

Updated September 20, 2021/53 Comments/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

So you’re ready to learn sign language… And it couldn’t be easier to start! If you want to learn sign language, then you’ve come to the right place. The Start […]

Deaf Travel

Updated September 16, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Accessibility, Deaf Culture, International Sign Languages /by Katelyn Cheng

There are a lot of Deaf people who love to travel. People may wonder how Deaf people communicate with other people in different states/countries, are able to get around, and […]

Deaf Relationships and Dating

Updated September 16, 2021/0 Comments/in About ASL, Deaf Culture, Hearing Loss /by Start ASL

There are a lot of interracial dating of various ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, and languages. This concept is very similar to dating within the Deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing communities. […]

Gallaudet University

Updated September 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Michelle Jay

by Abby Doss | 2 March 2021 Throughout the years, Gallaudet University has been known by many different names. Gallaudet is located in Northeast Washington, D.C. Its history begins in […]

Deaf Gain and Benefits

Updated September 8, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Accessibility, Deaf Culture /by Start ASL

It is known that Deaf/hard of hearing people have one less sense and encounter many hardships and challenges, but there are a lot of positive elements. It is true that […]

Hit of COVID – Communication Barriers For the Deaf/Hard of Hearing and How to Handle It

Updated August 25, 2021/0 Comments/in About ASL, Deaf Accessibility, Deaf Culture /by Katelyn Cheng

Ever since the pandemic hit in February 2019, people began masking up to protect themselves from catching and spreading the deadly virus. The mask and a few additional protections such […]

Deaf Schools Versus Mainstream Schools

Updated August 18, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Accessibility, Deaf Culture, Hearing Loss /by Katelyn Cheng

There are two different major types of schooling for Deaf people. Deaf schools also known as Deaf institutes are specially for Deaf students only. This means the communication and teaching […]

CODA starring Emilia Jones, Daniel Durant, Marlee Matlin, and Jack Jason

Updated August 11, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Culture, Deaf/ASL News, Famous Deaf People /by Katelyn Cheng

The movie CODA will release on August 13, 2021 on Apple TV+; in addition this will be the first film that the closed captions will be burned in the film. […]

Deaf People Can Do Anything Except Hear

Updated August 4, 2021/0 Comments/in ASL Careers, Deaf Culture, International Sign Languages /by Katelyn Cheng

Deaf people are able to function just like normal hearing people. Hearing people graduate from universities with a Bachelor’s degree and some further their education to getting a Masters or […]

Cochlear Implant Part 2: Cochlear Implant Users in the Real-World

Updated August 2, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Accessibility /by Katelyn Cheng

** Note: Cochlear implants can be viewed as both positive and negative perspectives depending on the people. Hearing people view cochlear implants as to help deaf people hear and to […]

Cochlear Implant Part 1: What are Cochlear Implants and How Do They Work?

Updated July 27, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Accessibility /by Katelyn Cheng

Have you ever wondered how cochlear implants function and how they help people hear? There are two parts to wearing a cochlear implant. The first part is the internal implant […]

Deaf-Owned Businesses

Updated July 19, 2021/1 Comment/in ASL Careers, Deaf Accessibility, Deaf Culture, Deaf/ASL News, Famous Deaf People, Product Recommendations /by Katelyn Cheng

Deaf-owned businesses and American Sign Language (ASL) are spreading and becoming widely popular. There are many Deaf-owned business all over the country. Here are some Deaf business that you […]

American Sign Language Syntax

Updated July 12, 2021/0 Comments/in About ASL, Free Lessons /by Katelyn Cheng

The definition of homonyms in spoken English mean two or more words having the same spelling or pronunciation meanings or origins, but they all have completely different meanings. Instead of […]

Start ASL’s Top 150 Basic ASL Sign Language Words

Updated July 12, 2021/25 Comments/in ASL Dictionary /by Start ASL

We have compiled a great collection of videos showing the top 150 basic ASL sign language words. These are the words that you should learn first. Learning the signs for […]

Start ASL Private Zoom Social Events

Updated July 8, 2021/in Start ASL Community /by Michelle Jay

Start ASL offers private Zoom ASL social events for students of our Online Course to practice! These are private ASL social events and are perfect for you to practice ASL […]

Start ASL Virtual Office Hours

Updated July 8, 2021/in Start ASL Community /by Michelle Jay

Start ASL offers Virtual Office Hours with our Start ASL Instructor for our Gold level Online Course students. During these meetings, you can discuss challenges you are facing with the […]

Start ASL Group Practice Sessions

Updated July 8, 2021/in Start ASL Community /by Michelle Jay

Start ASL offers Group Practice Sessions hosted by our ASL Instructor for our Online Course students. These topic-based 1-hour sessions will give you the opportunity to practice ASL in a […]

Deaf Events and ASL Meetups

Updated July 8, 2021/24 Comments/in Start ASL Community /by Start ASL

Looking for events to attend with the Deaf community or those learning ASL in your area? Or are you looking for others to attend your event? Then this is the place to be!

We try our best to find you accurate events for you to attend. Some events are free, while other events require tickets or an entrance fee. We are not responsible for cancelled events. Contact information is provided as available for each event and not affiliated with StartASL.com.

Thomas Alva Edison

Updated July 7, 2021/1 Comment/in Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Start ASL

by Kamalakannan (India) Another famous deaf person is Thomas Alva Edison who was born on February 11, 1847. He was an American scientist, inventor, and businessman. However, many people don’t […]

Deaf Culture Do’s and Don’ts

Updated July 7, 2021/2 Comments/in Deaf Culture, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

Learning the nuances of Deaf Culture can be difficult for new American Sign Language students. Below you can find some tips and insights about interacting in the Deaf community submitted […]

Children of a Lesser God

Updated July 7, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Culture, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

Children of a Lesser God is a 1986 film that, we believe, brought Deaf Culture and the values of deaf people into the public spotlight. If you have never seen […]

Switched at Birth – Deaf Culture on Television

Updated July 7, 2021/1 Comment/in Deaf Culture /by Michelle Jay

Switched at Birth is a television show featured on ABC Family that has truly brought American Sign Language and Deaf Culture into the living rooms of today’s generation. It is […]

Anne Sullivan

Updated July 7, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf History, Student Papers /by Start ASL

Anne Sullivan is one of the most well-known teachers in history. She is best known for being the teacher of Helen Keller and the subject of movies such as The Miracle […]

Cochlear Implants – A Cultural Threat

Updated July 7, 2021/5 Comments/in Hearing Loss, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

This article discusses a common Deaf cultural view of cochlear implants. Not everyone shares these views and this article is for educational purposes only. The company’s name used throughout the […]

Deaf Culture vs. Hearing Culture

Updated July 6, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Culture /by Katelyn Cheng

There are major differences between the Deaf culture and hearing culture that people may not realize and it is crucial to keep in mind when interacting with Deaf people. One […]

Accessibility for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing: How Do They Function in the Real World?

Updated July 6, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Accessibility /by Katelyn Cheng

There are a lot of accessibility that Deaf or hard-of-hearing people take advantage of to help them function and be successful in the real world. In addition, there are […]

Deaf Culture | Sign Language “Accents” or “Styles”

Updated July 6, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Culture /by Katelyn Cheng

People have different accents depending on where they’re from. Even within the same country, people’s accents differ based on the region. For example, in the US, people from New York […]

Deaf Community Entertainment, What’s it like?

Updated July 6, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Culture, Famous Deaf People /by Katelyn Cheng

One of the most popular entertaining activities in the Deaf community is storytelling and expressive poetry. Since American Sign Language (ASL) is very visual, storytelling contains a lot of exaggerated […]

Famous Deaf People | A Quiet Place Part II Movie Review

Updated June 30, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf/ASL News, Famous Deaf People /by Katelyn Cheng

When the pandemic broke out in February 2020, everything was put on hold including the suspenseful thriller A Quiet Place Part II that was supposed to release on March 8, […]

Is American Sign Language Universal?

Updated May 28, 2021/0 Comments/in About ASL, Deaf Culture, Deaf History, International Sign Languages /by Katelyn Cheng

Many people ask, “Is American Sign Language (ASL) universal?” Well, the answer is no, it is not universal. American Sign Language is unique and is commonly used within the […]

Deaf Culture | Name Signs

Updated May 13, 2021/1 Comment/in Deaf Culture /by Katelyn Cheng

Deaf culture consists of many valued traditional aspects that are significant to the Deaf community, and one of them is name sign. Name sign is a sign that is exclusively […]

Deaf Culture | What does “D”, “d”, and “d/Deaf” mean in the Deaf community?

Updated May 13, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Culture /by Katelyn Cheng

One needs to understand why it is important when it comes to identification of deaf people. In Deaf culture, “D”, “d”, and “d/Deaf” are extremely significant. “Deaf” with a capital […]

The Importance of the White House including an Interpreter for all Briefings

Updated April 14, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf/ASL News, Student Papers /by Start ASL

Kimberly Harrison | 2 February 2021 It is great that the new administration in the White House has stepped forward and is being pro-active about including ASL interpreters at daily […]

The Deaf Inclusion in Sports

Updated April 14, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Culture, Student Papers /by Start ASL

By Chloe Colvard | 6 January 2021 In recent years there have been big changes in the sports world to try to include all athletes into sports programs. Inclusivity is […]

The Canadian Cultural Society of the Deaf

Updated April 13, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Culture, Student Papers /by Start ASL

by Anonymous | 2 January 2021 The Canadian Cultural Society of the Deaf (CCSD) is an organization, almost 50 years old, that preserves Canadian Deaf culture and art (in text […]

American Sign Language for High School Credit

Updated March 5, 2021/in ASL Careers /by Michelle Jay

Sign Language Alphabet | 6 Free Downloads to Learn It Fast

Updated February 15, 2021/14 Comments/in ASL Dictionary /by Start ASL

Memorizing the American Sign Language alphabet (also known as the American Manual Alphabet) is the first step when learning American Sign Language and most new sign language students rely on […]

Start Learning Sign Language (ASL 1 – Intro)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 1 Introduction Learning sign language is so much fun! Unfortunately, many ASL classes are not taught correctly, expensive, and scheduled. The ASL classes on this website are much different. […]

Learning Sign Language Online Free (ASL 1 – Unit 14)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 1 – Unit 14 Did You Enjoy the Class? Share Your Experience! Congratulations! You have completed the StartASL.com ASL 1 class! I hope that you have learned everything you […]

ASL Online Classes (ASL 3 – Unit 11)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 3 – Unit 11 Final Unit In this unit of the ASL online classes, we will be wrapping up what you’ve learned in this class. Expression Assignment 3-5 To […]

Start Learning Sign Language (ASL 2 – Intro)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 2 Introduction Learning sign language is so much fun! Welcome to the second class in the Start ASL online curriculum! Materials you will need for the class ASL 2 […]

Start Learning Sign Language (ASL 3 – Intro)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 3 Introduction Learning sign language is so much fun! Welcome to the third class in the Start ASL online curriculum! Materials ASL 3 WORKBOOK (PDF) (Required & Free) – […]

The Best Sign Language Book Recommendations

Updated February 15, 2021/14 Comments/in Product Recommendations /by Start ASL

We have searched for the best sign language books, checked them out, and read their reviews. All of the best sign language books we’ve found are listed below. Fortunately, we […]

Quality Sign Language Gifts

Updated February 15, 2021/1 Comment/in Product Recommendations /by Start ASL

Great Ideas for that Perfect Gift! There are so many great gifts available to give to a friend or relative who loves ASL! Check out some of our favorites below: […]

Hearing Loss or Deafness Gain?

Updated February 15, 2021/1 Comment/in Hearing Loss /by Start ASL

Hearing loss is more like “Deafness Gain” to people who are part of Deaf Culture. The loss of hearing is actually a very small part of being a Deaf person. […]

Henry Kisor – Famous Deaf Author

Updated February 15, 2021/1 Comment/in Famous Deaf People /by Start ASL

Henry Kisor is the author of What’s that Pig Outdoors? and other novels based on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan locales. Deaf all his life, blogger, professional editor and writer […]

Deaf Culture Art / Deaf Art

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Culture /by Michelle Jay

Deaf culture art is a cultural art that reaches both positive and negative ends of the spectrum unlike any other. You can learn so much about the Deaf simply by […]

Famous Deaf Actors – Bringing ASL to Life

Updated February 15, 2021/2 Comments/in Deaf Culture, Famous Deaf People /by Michelle Jay

Truly Inspirational There have been several famous deaf actors in the media that have made significant contributions to the deaf community and hearing society. If not for them and their […]

American Sign Language Software Recommendations

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Product Recommendations /by Start ASL

If you are interested in purchasing American Sign Language software, please keep in mind that desktop software tends to be outdated and takes the form of other more modern types […]

Auslan (Australian Sign Language)

Updated February 15, 2021/2 Comments/in International Sign Languages /by Start ASL

Auslan (Australian Sign Language) is a beautiful language. It is the sign language used in Australia and is related to British Sign Language (BSL) and New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL). These […]

The Best Baby Sign Language Books

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Product Recommendations /by Start ASL

At Start ASL, you can teach your baby sign language in 12 easy steps. Another great way to learn is to use highly recommended baby sign language books and videos. […]

British Sign Language (BSL)

Updated February 15, 2021/1 Comment/in International Sign Languages /by Start ASL

British Sign Language is the sign language used in the United Kingdom (UK). One of the most notable features of BSL is their two-handed manual alphabet. BSL is related to […]

Chinese Sign Language (CSL)

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in International Sign Languages /by Start ASL

Chinese Sign Language (CSL) has been developing mostly since the late 1950’s and its signs are like written Chinese characters. CSL has several dialects with Shanghai being the most common. […]

Closed Captioning for the Deaf

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Hearing Loss /by Start ASL

Lip-reading is rather unsuccessful (only an average of 20% understanding). Closed captioning, however, takes all the lip-reading out of watching television! You have probably watched television. And you have probably […]

Deaf Alarm Clock

Updated February 15, 2021/3 Comments/in Hearing Loss /by Start ASL

Many people wonder how deaf people are able to wake up if they can’t hear an alarm. However, with the advent of new technology for the deaf, waking up is […]

The Best Deaf Education Book Recommendations

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Product Recommendations /by Start ASL

Educating the deaf is a hot topic, and these books are indispensable! The education of the deaf has always been a hot topic in the Deaf community, and learning the […]

Deaf Olympics “Deaflympics”

Updated February 15, 2021/1 Comment/in Deaf Culture /by Michelle Jay

The Deaf Olympics, known as the Deaflympics, are international athletic competitions for the deaf. The Deaflympics started in Paris in 1924 and have had three official names: “International Games for […]

The Best ASL Resources and Deaf Products on the Market

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Product Recommendations /by Start ASL

Great sign language products are hard to come by. There are tons of ASL books, software, and videos out there, but are they all really that good? No, not really. […]

The Story of Deaf Smith – A Hero of the Texas Revolution

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Famous Deaf People /by Michelle Jay

Deaf Smith is famous for the important role he played in the Texas Revolution. Erastus “Deaf” Smith was born April 19, 1787 in Dutchess County, New York and lost most […]

Deaf Technology – Opening Doors for the Deaf

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Hearing Loss /by Start ASL

Deaf people didn’t have many careers choices a few decades ago. They would usually find themselves working in trade jobs, non-profit work, or as teachers at schools for the deaf. […]

Deaf VP (Videophone Directory)

Updated February 15, 2021/1 Comment/in Hearing Loss /by Start ASL

Deaf Videophone Directory Deaf VP was a Deaf Videophone directory created by Sorenson. Videophones are telephones with a video screen. They enable deaf people to call each other (or a […]

Deanne Bray – Deaf Actress from Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye

Updated February 15, 2021/1 Comment/in Famous Deaf People /by Michelle Jay

Deanne Bray is a well known deaf actress who was probably the first deaf person Hollywood created an entire television show around. She is best known for playing Sue Thomas […]

An Interview with Dianrez – Deaf Blogger

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Famous Deaf People /by Michelle Jay

If you have ever wanted to read the true thoughts of a Deaf person who is a strong advocate for Deaf culture and is a proponent of the Deaf community, […]

Ear Anatomy – Tiny Pieces with Big Jobs

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Hearing Loss /by Start ASL

Ear anatomy is not as complex as you might think. There are only a few anatomical parts that make hearing possible. However, if there is something wrong with any one […]

Fingerspelling in American Sign Language

Updated February 15, 2021/2 Comments/in About ASL /by Start ASL

As you are learning sign language, you need to master the skill of American Sign Language fingerspelling (spelling out words by hand one letter at a time). In American Sign […]

Free Basic Sign Language Chart

Updated February 15, 2021/1 Comment/in About ASL /by Start ASL

Below is a high quality printable free basic sign language chart image and PDF. Keep in mind that you will need Adobe Reader in order to view the PDF. You […]

Hearing Dogs for the Deaf

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Hearing Loss /by Start ASL

It’s not uncommon to see a dog leading and assisting a blind person. You have probably seen a few of those trained dogs during the course of your life. But […]

The Hearing Test and Why Deaf People Hate It

Updated February 15, 2021/1 Comment/in Hearing Loss /by Start ASL

While a hearing test seems like a normal part of having a baby, it is also a source of oppression for many deaf people. In this article, I will describe […]

I LOVE YOU Sign Language Sign

Updated February 15, 2021/10 Comments/in ASL Dictionary /by Michelle Jay

The Truth Behind the Sign I read something incredibly amusing today about the “I Love You” sign language sign. I read the “article” on a page called Signs of Satan. […]

Irish Sign Language (ISL)

Updated February 15, 2021/2 Comments/in International Sign Languages /by Start ASL

Irish Sign Language (ISL) is the sign language used in Ireland (primarily in the Republic of Ireland). ISL is also used in Northern Ireland, but British Sign Language (BSL) is […]

An Interview with Jamie Berke

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Famous Deaf People /by Michelle Jay

An Interview with the Famous (Now Former) About.com Deafness Guide If you have ever researched deafness, deaf people, or sign language online, you have most likely landed on one of […]

Japanese Sign Language (JSL)

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in International Sign Languages /by Start ASL

Japanese Sign Language (JSL) is the sign language used in Japan. Just like how Japanese is completely different from English, JSL is completely different from ASL. For one, JSL uses […]

Sign Languages of the World – ASL is NOT Universal

Updated February 15, 2021/13 Comments/in International Sign Languages /by Start ASL

American Sign Language is NOT a universal language. This is a very common myth that needs to be debunked. Just like the thousands of different languages of the world–there are […]

Our Favorite Sign Language Flashcards

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Product Recommendations /by Start ASL

Using sign language flashcards is a great way to retain the ASL you’re learning when taking an ASL course. You can find our ASL Alphabet flashcards on our American Sign […]

American Sign Language Symbols and Letters

Updated February 15, 2021/1 Comment/in About ASL /by Start ASL

There are many different American Sign Language symbols and letters that are used in a variety of ways. There are symbols used for writing ASL signs, glossing ASL sentences, and […]

The Best Sign Language Video Recommendations

Updated February 15, 2021/3 Comments/in Product Recommendations /by Start ASL

While a complete ASL course is the best way to learn ASL, we have searched for all the best sign language videos if you wish to use one as a […]

Interpreting Songs for the Deaf

Updated February 15, 2021/1 Comment/in Deaf Culture /by Michelle Jay

Signing songs for the deaf is a great way for students to learn a LOT of vocabulary and retain that vocabulary for a long time. If you need to interpret […]

The Best Songs in Sign Language

Updated February 15, 2021/6 Comments/in Deaf Culture /by Michelle Jay

American Sign Language is a very expressive language. Songs in sign language are therefore equally expressive and many times are more expressive than their purely vocal versions. If you’re interested […]

Spanish Sign Language (SSL)

Updated February 15, 2021/6 Comments/in International Sign Languages /by Start ASL

Spanish Sign Language is the sign language used in Spain. Just like how Spanish is completely different from English, SSL is completely different from ASL. SSL is the same across […]

Sign Language for Infants

Updated February 15, 2021/1 Comment/in Baby Sign Language /by Start ASL

Step 3 – Start Talking Are you ready to start signing? This is so exciting! It’s now time to choose the signs you are going to start with. Go ahead […]

Tips for Starting Your Child with Sign Language

Updated February 15, 2021/3 Comments/in Baby Sign Language /by Start ASL

by Heather Jensen Scientists have found that the muscles in children’s fingers and hands are develop faster than the ones in their mouth and jaw, which has made baby sign […]

Stockard Channing – Narrator of Through Deaf Eyes

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Culture /by Michelle Jay

Stockard Channing is a film, stage, and television actress who narrated the film Through Deaf Eyes. She is best known for her role as First Lady Abbey Bartlet on The […]

Swedish Sign Language (TSP)

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in International Sign Languages /by Start ASL

Swedish Sign Language (TSP) is the sign language used in Sweden. TSP did not stem from any other sign languages, but it did influence Finnish Sign Language (FSL) and Portuguese […]

Teach Your Baby Sign Language

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Baby Sign Language /by Start ASL

Step 9 – Advancing Your child is growing and advancing! How exciting! You are now probably combining signs and speech with your child. This can greatly enhance his vocabulary as […]

Through Deaf Eyes

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Culture /by Michelle Jay

Through Deaf Eyes is the most informational movie about Deaf people. Most hearing people are completely clueless when it comes to Deaf people, the Deaf community, and Deaf culture. This film […]

Learn Baby Signs

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Baby Sign Language /by Start ASL

Step 6 – More Signs Moving on from basic signs you learned in Step 3, choose some secondary words from the vocabulary link below. Try to branch out a little […]

Teach Your Baby Sign Language

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Baby Sign Language /by Start ASL

Step 5 – Caregivers Some parents who use baby sign language stay at home with their children while others leave for work. If you are working away from home, you […]

Free Baby Sign Language

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Baby Sign Language /by Start ASL

Step 8 – Taming Stress Signing, like I said before, is great for preventing tantrums with your baby. Signing helps eliminate the frustration your child feels when she can’t communicate. […]

Teach Your Infant Sign Language

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Baby Sign Language /by Start ASL

Step 2 – Getting Started The first thing you will do before you start teaching your infant sign language is pick the signs you are going to begin with. I […]

Sign Language for Babies

Updated February 15, 2021/1 Comment/in Baby Sign Language /by Start ASL

Step 1 – Introduction Yes, you need to read an introduction before starting. This will just give you a background about why sign language for babies is so effective. Baby […]

Toddler Sign Language

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Baby Sign Language /by Start ASL

Step 10 – Your Growing Child When your child begins to speak, you may want to continue to teach your toddler sign language. If your child has begun to speak, […]

Teach Babies Sign Language

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Baby Sign Language /by Start ASL

Step 11 – Finding More Signers Getting connected with other parents who teach their babies sign language can truly be a great thing. Not only do you have some support, […]

No Baby Sign Language DVD Needed!

Updated February 15, 2021/1 Comment/in Baby Sign Language /by Start ASL

Step 12 – Conclusion Many parents buy a baby sign language DVD or many books to learn what you have learned in these 12 steps. You have learned so much […]

Baby Signing

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Baby Sign Language /by Start ASL

Step 4 – When Things Don’t Go the Way You Planned You may encounter some friends or family that don’t believe in baby signing. Skeptical friends and family can definitely […]

Learn Baby Talk Sign Language

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Baby Sign Language /by Start ASL

Step 7 – Sign Combinations Babies will often start to combine vocal words (the baby talk begins!) as they progress in their learning. This is the same for signing children. […]

Becoming a Sign Language Interpreter

Updated February 15, 2021/19 Comments/in ASL Careers /by Start ASL

Becoming an American Sign Language interpreter is a very popular choice for many ASL students. People choose to become interpreters because they love American Sign Language, love Deaf people, and […]

Juliette Gordon Low – Deaf Founder of the Girl Scouts

Updated February 15, 2021/2 Comments/in Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

Juliette Gordon Low was a deaf woman who was best known for being the founder of the Girl Scouts organization. Juliette Gordon Low Articles by Students Who is your favorite […]

Deaf Classroom Design

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in ASL Careers, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

by Michelle Waldo | August 28, 2018 When I was in college I spent a semester interning at Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services (D&HHS) in Grand Rapids, MI. One […]

William Stokoe

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf History, Student Papers /by Start ASL

William Stokoe – or William C. Stokoe Jr. – changed the course of American Sign Language history. Before Stokoe, ASL was not seen as a real language. It was seen […]

Laurent Clerc

Updated February 15, 2021/4 Comments/in Deaf History, Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Start ASL

Laurent Clerc played a significant part in the history of American Sign Language and was the first deaf teacher of the deaf in America. He was also among the first […]

Ludwig Van Beethoven

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf History, Student Papers /by Start ASL

Ludwig Van Beethoven was completely deaf for the last part of his life and yet managed to produce some of the greatest music of all time. Beethoven Articles by Students […]

LeRoy Colombo – Famous Deaf Lifeguard

Updated February 15, 2021/2 Comments/in Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Start ASL

LeRoy Colombo was a famous deaf lifeguard entered into the Guinness Book of World Records for saving 907 lives. Leroy Colombo Articles by Students LeRoy Colombo by Leah Ward (Williamsburg, […]

Sean Berdy

Updated February 15, 2021/1 Comment/in Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Start ASL

Sean Berdy is a deaf actor, comedian and dancer. He was in Sandlot 2, Legend of the Mountain Man, The Deaf Family, and is best known for his role as […]

Laura Redden Searing – First Deaf Female Journalist

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf History, Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Start ASL

Laura Redden Searing was born in 1839 and is best known for being the first deaf female journalist. She was sent by the St. Louis Republican to cover the American Civil […]

Julia Brace

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf History, Student Papers /by Start ASL

Julia Brace was a deaf-blind girl who was born before both Laura Bridgman and Helen Keller. She was successfully educated, but lost the credit as the first to Helen Keller. […]

Helen Keller – The First Deaf-Blind College Graduate

Updated February 15, 2021/1 Comment/in Deaf History, Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

Helen Keller is an internationally acclaimed author and lecturer. And that is so amazing because she was deaf and blind. When I was in elementary school, we learned all about […]

Heather Whitestone – The First Deaf Miss America

Updated February 15, 2021/1 Comment/in Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Start ASL

Heather Whitestone McCallum is known as “Miss Deaf America” (even though Miss Deaf America is a different pageant). She was the first deaf woman to be crowned Miss America in […]

Deaf President Now (DPN)

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf History, Student Papers /by Start ASL

A big event that occurred in Deaf history was the Deaf President Now (DPN) movement. DPN was a huge protest at Gallaudet University that started in March of 1988. The […]

Laura Bridgman – The First Helen Keller

Updated February 15, 2021/1 Comment/in Deaf History, Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

Laura Bridgman was the first deaf-blind person to learn language. When you think about the first deaf-blind child to be educated, you will most likely think of Helen Keller. In […]

Dummy Hoy (William Hoy) – The First Deaf Major League Baseball Player

Updated February 15, 2021/5 Comments/in Deaf History, Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

Dummy Hoy made history as the first deaf major league baseball player. He’s also not famous just because he was deaf; he was also a remarkably talented and skilled baseball […]

Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf History, Student Papers /by Start ASL

Dr. Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet is probably the most influential person in the history of American Sign Language. Gallaudet, along with Laurent Clerc, was responsible for starting the first free public […]

Edward Miner Gallaudet

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf History, Student Papers /by Start ASL

When Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet died in 1851, his youngest son Edward Miner Gallaudet continued his legacy in deaf education, played a big part in the history of American Sign Language, and […]

George William Veditz

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf History, Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Start ASL

George Veditz was a former president of the National Association of the Deaf of the United States and was one of the first to film American Sign Language. George William […]

Sue Thomas

Updated February 15, 2021/3 Comments/in Deaf Culture, Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

Sue Thomas was a deaf undercover specialist for the FBI. She was the inspiration for the TV series Sue Thomas: FBEye, an international speaker, author, and founder of Kennels of […]

Geronimo Cardano

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf History, Student Papers /by Start ASL

Geronimo Cardano played a significant role in the history of sign language–particularly in the history of deaf education. Cardano was an Italian mathematician and physician. He discovered in the 1500s […]

Linda Bove – “Linda the Librarian”

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Culture, Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

Linda Bove was born on November 30, 1945 in Garfield, New Jersey to deaf parents. She majored in library science at Gallaudet University and received her bachelor’s degree in 1968. […]

Gallaudet University

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf History, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

by Madeline Huwaldt | October 3, 2018 Gallaudet University was founded in 1864 and is located in Washington D.C and is a federally chartered private school. Originally Gallaudet was a […]

Nellie Zabel Willhite – First Deaf Woman Pilot

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Amee Sevrie

by Clayton Shell | November 16, 2017 Nellie Zabel Willhite was the woman that I had found in my research on “Deaf people in History.” Born November 22, 1892, in […]

Alice Cogswell – The Beginning of American Deaf Education

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf History, Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

When you are 9 years old, you don’t think about making history. Alice Cogswell made history at the age of 9 by sparking the beginning of the creation of American […]

Marie Heurtin – the French Helen Keller

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf History, Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Amee Sevrie

by Alyssa Weeks | November 14, 2017 My favorite person in deaf history is Marie Heurtin. You might know her as the French Hellen Keller but to many she is […]

Marlee Matlin – Deaf Academy Award Winner

Updated February 15, 2021/2 Comments/in Deaf Culture, Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Start ASL

Marlee Matlin was born in Morton Grove, Illinois on August 24th, 1965. After she came down with the German Measles at the age of eighteen months, she lost her hearing […]

Regina Olson Hughes

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Start ASL

by Cynthia Brainerd | February 27, 2017 Regina Olson Hughes (1895-1993) became fully deaf at the age of 14, due to the effects of scarlet fever. She could still speak […]

Teresa de Cartagena

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Start ASL

by Jack | April 7, 2017 Teresa de Cartagena was a nun in 15th Century Spain. She is remarkable for being Spain’s first feminist writer as well as for being […]

Alexander Graham Bell – Helpful or Harmful?

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf History, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

We all know Alexander Graham Bell (known as AGB in the Deaf community) as the inventor of the telephone. That makes him a good guy, right? Creating a way for […]

Johnnie Ray – Deaf “Father of Rock and Roll”

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Start ASL

by Jennifer Hatley | July 7, 2017 I find music to be my outlet for so many different things. I chose Johnnie Ray (John Alvin Ray) as he was an […]

Ferdinand Berthier

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Start ASL

by Catherine Ritchie | July 22, 2017 The Deaf community has a rich culture with many prominent figures in its history. Some whose names are fairly well known such as […]

I. King Jordan – Deaf People Can Do Anything Except Hear

Updated February 15, 2021/1 Comment/in Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Brent

by Brent | November 9, 2017 This now famous quote is from my favorite person in Deaf history – I. King Jordan. He became the first Deaf president of Gallaudet […]

Dr. Candace McCullough

Updated February 15, 2021/1 Comment/in Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Start ASL

by Anne (Richmond, VA) Dr. Candace McCullough is the first Deaf psychologist to set up a counseling business. She makes counseling services accessible to Deaf people all over the states. Dr. […]

Nanette Fabray

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Start ASL

by Nanette Kaufmann (Kissimmee, Florida) Award winning actress and advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities. Her honors representing the handicapped are many, including the President’s Distinguished Service-vice Award […]

Gertrude Ederle

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Start ASL

by Natalie Picone | August 27, 2016 In 1926 at the age of 19, Gertrude Ederle was the first woman to swim across the English Channel. Twenty-one miles from Dover, […]

Kevin Lucas Smire

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Start ASL

by David Cooper | October 13, 2016 The deaf person wrote about was Kevin Lucas Smire who was also known as “Deaf Kev.” He was born on October 28, 1996 […]

Pedro Ponce de Leon

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf History, Student Papers /by Start ASL

by Marcus McNeal | November 29, 2016 “Everybody has to start somewhere. You have your whole future ahead of you. Perfection doesn’t happen right away.” (Haruki Murakami, 2006). The quote […]

Louise Fletcher

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Start ASL

by Lisa | February 3, 2016 I’m going to talk about someone here who first opened my eyes to sign language, and that is the actress Louise Fletcher. Louise Fletcher […]

David Michalowski

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Start ASL

by Anonymous David Michalowski, profoundly deaf since birth, grew up in Chicago, Illinois. He competed at the United States Figure Skating National Championships from 1978 until 1982, including the 1980 […]

Joseph Henry Sharp

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Start ASL

by Kristyn Murray (Houston, Texas) Joseph Henry Sharp was one of the founding members of the Taos Society of Artists, a group that produced some of the most significant artwork […]

Learning Beyond The Sign

Updated February 15, 2021/2 Comments/in Free Lessons, Student Papers /by Start ASL

by Janeel Hew (Hawaii) | June 18, 2010 Understanding the past, helps us to embrace the present. Finally an online class, that teaches you that learning ASL means more than […]

Lou Ferrigno

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Start ASL

by Hannah (Indiana) Lou has been an inspiration to many deaf, he played the Hulk in the original series, he also appeared in “I love you, Man” and appeared as […]

Granville Redmond

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Start ASL

by Grace (Canada) My favorite deaf historical figure is Granville Redmond. His struggle to be accepted by the common man is fairly touching, and his paintings are simply out of […]

Robert Hoskin

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Start ASL

by Joseph Heenan (Frankston, Australia) | March 8, 2013 The 48 year old Australian named Robert Hoskin is a well-known deaf filmmaker who has won several film awards from his […]

Rodger Young

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Start ASL

by Anonymous Rodger Young was a deaf man who faked his Army hearing test in World War II. He won a Posthumous Medal of Honor in the Soloman Islands. Rodger […]

Joel Barish – Contemporary Deaf Performer

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Start ASL

by Sara Huang (Taipei, Taiwan) | March 12, 2013 I have read a lot about the oppression of the Deaf, but I really appreciate people who have embraced Deaf culture […]

Matt and Kay Daigle | That Deaf Guy

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Start ASL

by Karri Kimery | August 18, 2016 As I was reading about people in the deaf community, I came across Matt and Kay Daigle. These two met in 1993, at […]

Bob Hiltermann

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Start ASL

by Anonymous | March 2, 2013 Bob Hiltermann is a well known Deaf actor and is known for: Founder of Deaf West Theater (Fountain Theater) in North Hollywood California. All […]

The Deaf Community and How You Can Get Involved

Updated February 15, 2021/5 Comments/in Deaf Culture, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

When you are learning American Sign Language, it is important to get involved with the Deaf community. Many believe that learning ASL within the Deaf community is the only true […]

Famous Deaf People

Updated February 15, 2021/18 Comments/in Deaf Culture, Deaf History, Famous Deaf People /by Start ASL

No Hearing People Here! Deaf people have been more in the spotlight than you know. There are so many famous deaf people and famous hard of hearing people who have […]

American Sign Language Phrases

Updated February 15, 2021/2 Comments/in ASL Dictionary /by Start ASL

A great introduction to learning ASL is studying American Sign Language phrases. While doing this, you can get a great taste of vocabulary as well as begin to understand the […]

Fun American Sign Language Games List

Updated February 15, 2021/3 Comments/in Product Recommendations /by Michelle Jay

We have had some fun experiences with American Sign Language games in the classroom. Here are some of our favorites: Sign Language Telephone Game Remember the game “Telephone” from grade […]

ASL Dictionary – Learn Essential Vocabulary

Updated February 15, 2021/4 Comments/in ASL Dictionary /by Start ASL

This ASL dictionary is for you! We have included over 1,000 words and phrases from our Complete 3-Level ASL Course vocabulary lists. This means that if you learn this essential vocabulary from our dictionary, you […]

Teach Your Baby Sign Language

Updated February 15, 2021/3 Comments/in Baby Sign Language /by Start ASL

12 Easy Steps for Communication with Your Baby Let me guess…your baby is crying uncontrollably and you want to know what he wants so your ears can take a break. […]

Over 50 of the Best Deaf Jokes

Updated February 15, 2021/1 Comment/in Deaf Culture /by Start ASL

Here are some of the best deaf jokes we’ve heard over the years: The Motel A deaf couple check into a motel and go to bed early. The wife wakes […]

Free Online Sign Language Classes (ASL 1 – Unit 9)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 1 – Unit 9 In this unit of the free online sign language classes, you will be learning about verbs. Vocabulary Jobs & Careers Visit the Online Course Vocabulary […]

Free Sign Language Class (ASL 1 – Unit 1)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 1 – Unit 1 In this unit of the free sign language class, you will be learning how to fingerspell. Vocabulary First Signs Visit the Online Course Vocabulary Category […]

Learn Sign Language Online (ASL 1 – Unit 3)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 1 – Unit 3 In this unit as you learn sign language online, you will learn about the five sign parameters. Vocabulary School & Education Visit the Online Course […]

Start Learning American Sign Language (ASL 1 – Unit 2)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 1 – Unit 2 In this unit, you will be learning American Sign Language numbers and Deaf Culture. Vocabulary Food & Drink Visit the Online Course Vocabulary Category for […]

Start Learning Sign Language Online (ASL 1 – Unit 4)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 1 – Unit 4 In this unit, you will learn more about the five sign parameters because you are learning sign language online. Vocabulary Animals, Home, & Transportation Visit […]

American Sign Language Classes (ASL 1 – Unit 8)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 1 – Unit 8 In this unit of the sign language classes, you will learn more about pronouns and directional verbs. Vocabulary Physical Features & Clothing Visit the Online […]

Learn Sign Language Online (ASL 1 – Unit 6)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 1 – Unit 6 In this unit as you learn sign language online, you will be learning about ASL sentence types. Vocabulary Sports & Music Visit the Online Course […]

Learn Sign Language Free (ASL 1 – Unit 10)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 1 – Unit 10 In this unit as you learn sign language free, you will learn about ASL negation. Vocabulary Emotions & Character Traits Visit the Online Course Vocabulary […]

Online ASL Classes (ASL 1 – Unit 12)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 1 – Unit 12 In this unit of the online ASL classes, you will learn the rest of the important ASL numbers. Vocabulary Advanced Numbers Visit the Online Course […]

Free Sign Language Course (ASL 1 – Unit 13)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 1 – Unit 13 In this unit of the sign language course, we will be quizzing you on what you have learned so far. This unit is a cumulative […]

American Sign Language Free Classes (ASL 2 – Unit 3)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 2 – Unit 3 Time Duration and Regularity In this unit of the American Sign Language free classes, you will be learning about time duration and regularity. Vocabulary Visit […]

Free American Sign Language Instruction (ASL 2 – Unit 4)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 2 – Unit 4 Temporal Aspect In this unit of the free American Sign Language instruction, you will be learning about temporal aspect. Vocabulary Activities & Hobbies Visit the […]

Free Online Sign Language Lessons (ASL 2 – Unit 1)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 2 – Unit 1 Sentence Types In this unit of the online sign language lessons, you will be learning more sentence types. Vocabulary Food & Drink Visit the Online […]

Free ASL Online Classes (ASL 2 – Unit 2)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 2 – Unit 2 Time Signs In this unit of the ASL online classes, you will be learning about time signs. Vocabulary Seasons & Holidays Visit the Online Course […]

Online Sign Language Classes (ASL 1 – Unit 11)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 1 – Unit 11 In this unit of the online sign language class, you will learn how to identify people. Conversation Read this outline, and then watch the conversation […]

Free Sign Language Classes (ASL 2 – Unit 8)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 2 – Unit 8 Inflection In this unit of the free sign language classes, you will be learning about inflection. Vocabulary House & Home Visit the Online Course Vocabulary […]

Free Sign Language Lesson (ASL 2 – Unit 6)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 2 – Unit 6 Pluralization In this unit of the free sign language lesson, you will be learning about pluralization. Vocabulary Visit the Online Course Vocabulary Category for this […]

Learn ASL (ASL 2 – Unit 12)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 2 – Unit 12 Final Unit In this unit as you learn ASL, you will be wrapping up what you have learned so far. Conversation Comprehension 12.1 Turn to […]

Learn ASL Online (ASL 2 – Unit 7)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 2 – Unit 7 Conveying Distance In this unit as you learn ASL online, you will be learning how to convey distance. Vocabulary Visit the Online Course Vocabulary Category […]

Learn Sign Language Online (ASL 2 – Unit 10)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 2 – Unit 10 Object Locations In this unit as you learn sign language online, you will be learning how to sign object locations. Vocabulary Visit the Online Course […]

Start Learning American Sign Language (ASL 2 – Unit 9)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 2 – Unit 9 Room Descriptions In this unit as you start learning American Sign Language, you will be learning how to sign room descriptions. Vocabulary Technology & Household […]

Learning Sign Language Online (ASL 2 – Unit 11)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 2 – Unit 11 Describing Objects In this unit as you are learning sign language online, you will be learning how to describe objects. Vocabulary Visit the Online Course […]

Free American Sign Language Classes (ASL 2 – Unit 5)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 2 – Unit 5 Classifiers In this unit of the free American Sign Language classes, you will be learning about classifiers. Vocabulary Visit the Online Course Vocabulary Category for […]

Learn American Sign Language (ASL 3 – Unit 2)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 3 – Unit 2 Advanced Role Shifting In this unit as you learn American Sign Language, you will be learning advanced role shifting techniques. Vocabulary Math & Money Visit […]

Free American Sign Language Classes (ASL 3 – Unit 3)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 3 – Unit 3 Narratives In this unit of the free American Sign Language classes, you will be learning the basics of how to construct narratives. Vocabulary Life Events […]

Free American Sign Language Course (ASL 3 – Unit 8)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 3 – Unit 8 Amenities and Features In this unit of the free American Sign Language course, you will be learning how to sign amenities and features. Vocabulary Visit […]

American Sign Language Online Classes (ASL 3 – Unit 1)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 3 – Unit 1 Role Shifting In this unit of the American Sign Language online classes, you will be learning how to role shift. Vocabulary Visit the Online Course […]

Free Online Sign Language Classes (ASL 3 – Unit 4)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 3 – Unit 4 Accident Narratives In this unit of the free online sign language classes, you will be learning how to sign accident narratives. Vocabulary Health & Medical […]

Learn Sign Language Free (ASL 3 – Unit 5)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 3 – Unit 5 Giving Information In this unit as you learn sign language free, you will be learning how to give information. Vocabulary Geography & Culture Visit the […]

Online Sign Language Classes (ASL 3 – Unit 6)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 3 – Unit 6 Sign Language Games In this unit of the online sign language classes, you will be learning how to sign sign language games. Vocabulary Games Visit […]

Online ASL Classes (ASL 3 – Unit 7)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 3 – Unit 7 Handshape Stories and Deaf Jokes In this unit of the online ASL classes, you will be learning about handshape stories and Deaf jokes. Conversation Review […]

Find an American Sign Language Practice Partner!

Updated February 15, 2021/in Start ASL Community /by Michelle Jay

Are you learning American Sign Language on your own? Finding an ASL partner with whom to practice your signing skills is an integral part of learning this language. And since […]

Free American Sign Language Lessons (ASL 3 – Unit 10)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 3 – Unit 10 Interpreting Songs in ASL In this unit of the free American Sign Language lessons, you will be learning how to interpret songs in ASL. Interpreting […]

#IloveStartASL Contest 2020 – Official Rules

Updated February 15, 2021/in Uncategorized /by Michelle Jay

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Begins at 6:00:00 a.m. Pacific Time (“PT”) on June 26, 2020. Ends at 11:59:00 […]

Learn ASL (American Sign Language) Online (ASL 1 – Unit 5)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 1 – Unit 5 In this unit, you will learn ASL word order. Vocabulary Colors, Time, & Routine Visit the Online Course Vocabulary Category for this unit to view […]

American Sign Language

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in About ASL, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

American Sign Language (ASL) is the natural language of around 500,000 deaf people in the US and Canada. A “natural” language is a language that is learned as a first […]

How to sign different colors in American Sign Language

Updated February 15, 2021/in Social Media /by Stacey Valle

Learn how to sign different colors in American Sign Language (ASL) online! You can slow down our ASL videos by clicking the settings on the bottom right corner of the […]

Learning Sign Language Online Free (ASL 3 – Unit 9)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 3 – Unit 9 Storytelling In this unit as you learning sign language online free, you will be learning how to tell a story. Vocabulary Visit the Online Course […]

History of Sign Language – Deaf History

Updated February 15, 2021/17 Comments/in Deaf History, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

The events that occurred in the history of sign language are actually pretty shocking. How deaf people experience life today is directly related to how they were treated in the […]

Deaf Culture Values: Art and Literature

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Culture /by Michelle Jay

The Deaf highly value the literature and art of their culture. Deaf Culture art and literature is how the Deaf share their values with future generations – their values of […]

Deaf Culture Values: Deafness

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Culture /by Michelle Jay

One of the most beautiful aspects of Deaf Culture is the value Deaf people put on their own deafness (their hearing loss). This is known throughout the Deaf community as […]

Deaf Culture Values: Sign Language

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Culture /by Michelle Jay

American Sign Language is the most highly regarded asset of Deaf Culture. ASL is the natural language of the Deaf, so a strong goal of Deaf advocacy is to preserve […]

How to sign days of the week in American Sign Language (ASL)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Social Media /by Stacey Valle

Are you wondering how to sign days of the week in ASL? Days of the week are some of the important signs that you should know as a beginner. We’ve […]

Netflix’s Deaf U shares Deaf culture through the eyes of Deaf students

Updated February 15, 2021/in Deaf/ASL News /by Stacey Valle

This month, Netflix released a reality TV show, called “Deaf U,” which is one of the huge victories for the Deaf communities! “Deaf U” is based on the lives of […]

Deaf Culture Essentials

Updated February 15, 2021/19 Comments/in Deaf Culture /by Michelle Jay

Learning about Deaf Culture is perhaps the most important part of learning ASL. Deaf Culture was first truly recognized in 1965. The idea that Deaf people had a culture of […]

History of American Sign Language

Updated February 15, 2021/5 Comments/in Deaf History, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

The history of American Sign Language didn’t truly begin until 1814 when deaf education was introduced to the United States. There is virtually no information about American Sign Language history […]

Who Invented Sign Language?

Updated February 15, 2021/20 Comments/in Deaf History /by Michelle Jay

The question of who invented sign language has sparked much debate and has a vague answer. If you want to know who invented sign language, you need to analyze the events […]

Psychological Testing of Deaf Children: A Brief Comparison of Services and Viewpoints

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in ASL Careers, Hearing Loss, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

by Anonymous As a doctor holding a Ph.D. in school psychology who has previously specialized in assessment of the intellectual and educational abilities of children, I have learned much about […]

Andrew Foster

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf History, Student Papers /by Start ASL

Andrew Foster is a very important person in Deaf history. He was the first African American Deaf person to earn a Bachelor’s Degree from Gallaudet University and is known as […]

The Organization of Deaf Society

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Culture, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

by Olivia Honeycutt | 25 September 2019 The entire world is a built for Hearing people. Despite having no real connection to one another, no defining features other than those […]

How to sign Fall season in American Sign Language (ASL)

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Social Media /by Stacey Valle

It is fall (autumn) season! Learn how to signs different words relating to the fall season! These are some of the essential terms (signs) that you should know as a […]

Sordo

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Culture, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

by Rocio Caceres (7/23/2020) Sordo or The Silent War (English title) is a Spanish movie released in 2019 and directed by Alfonso Cortés-Cavanillas. Sordo’s genre falls between a few categories like drama, western, thriller, […]

A World of Ableism; Challenges of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community During a Global Pandemic

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf/ASL News, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

by Maddie Hammer (08/24/2020) Since its discovery in December, the widespread outbreak of SARS-CoV2 has infiltrated every aspect of our lives. The outbreak duration is still ongoing and there have […]

Martha’s Vineyard

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf History, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

by Nicole Colterman (08/27/2020) Martha’s Vineyard, home of astonishing landscapes, fishing towns, marvelous summer homes and one of the first known deaf communities in the United States. From the late […]

Techno Gloves That “Translate” Sign Language Into Speech

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf/ASL News, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

by J. Conor Crockett | September 2, 2020 The Daily Bruin published a news article written by Noah Danesh on August 3, 2020 titled: “A Glove Developed by UCLA Researchers […]

Challenges Faced by Deaf Students in Post-Secondary STEM Education

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in ASL Careers, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

by Anonymous (09/04/2020) In the United States, as of 2006, about 1 in 20 people is considered deaf or hard of hearing (1), however its uncommon to encounter deaf students […]

ASL Interpretation in the Medical Field

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in ASL Careers, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

by Teagan North (09/08/2020) Almost everyone is a consumer of health care services at some point in their lives. Doctor’s appointments and trips to the emergency room can require patients […]

A Brief Inquiry into the Significance of Name Signs in Deaf Culture

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Culture, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

by Anonymous | 03 June 2020 For many humans all over the world, our names are one of the first things we receive that differentiates us from everyone else. Names can […]

ASL Interpreters: Their Role in the Deaf Community

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in ASL Careers, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

by Amanda Rolfe | January 13, 2020 American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters facilitate communication between people who are deaf or hard of hearing and people who can hear. Sign language […]

Braam Jordaan

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Start ASL

by Anonymous (03/25/2020) Braam Jordaan was born in Benoni, South Africa in 1981. He was born “profoundly deaf to deaf parents”. Jordaan and his family moved to Cape Town, South […]

Learn American Sign Language (ASL 1 – Unit 7)

Updated February 15, 2021/in Free Lessons /by Start ASL

ASL 1 – Unit 7 In this unit, you will learn American Sign Language pronouns and how to index. Vocabulary Friends & Family Visit the Online Course Vocabulary Category for […]

How to sign Wh-Questions in American Sign Language (ASL)

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Social Media /by Stacey Valle

Wh-Questions are questions that require more than yes or no answers. The wh-questions words are who, where, when, what, which, why, and how. When signing wh-questions in American Sign Language […]

Going to the Movies While Deaf: The Movement for Widespread Open Captioning

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Hearing Loss, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

by Caitlin Epstein (09/10/2020) In 2018, model, actor, and Deaf activist Nyle DiMarco answered the question “how do deaf people go to the movies?” DiMarco became a well-known public figure […]

Deaf Students in the Mainstream Classroom: Best Practices for Educators

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in ASL Careers, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

by Lisa Baker (03/11/2020) It is widely believed in the Deaf community that deaf children should have access to American Sign Language, Deaf role models, and one-on-one interactions with teachers […]

See What I’m Saying: Deaf Culture in the Entertainment Industry

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Culture, Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

by Lisa Baker (05/27/2020) Literature and the Arts is an incredibly important outlet within the deaf community. It is one of the four crucial values of Deaf Culture, as it […]

Teletypewriters and Early Deaf Communication

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Hearing Loss /by Start ASL

Back in the day, deaf people would drive all the way to their friends’ homes to talk to them. Then, the TTY was invented in the 1960’s. Back then, it […]

Abbe de L’Epee

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf History, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

Abbe de L’Epee, a French Catholic priest, founded the first social and religious association for deaf people around 1750. L’Epee’s full name was Abbe Charles Michel de L’Epee and he […]

A new Spider-Man video game includes American Sign Language

Updated February 15, 2021/1 Comment/in Deaf/ASL News /by Stacey Valle

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, a new Playstation 5 video game, includes American Sign Language (ASL).

How to sign pets in American Sign Language (ASL)

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Social Media /by Stacey Valle

Pets are more than just animals; they are our best friends and part of the family. In this video, you will learn some ASL signs for different pets that you need to know as a beginner.

A Colts cheerleader learns American Sign Language to reach Deaf fan base

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf/ASL News /by Stacey Valle

Vanessa, who is a Colts cheerleader for four years, learned American Sign Language (ASL) for the Colts fan base. Colts is an American football team in Indianapolis, IN. Vanessa has […]

How to sign seasons in American Sign Language (ASL)

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Social Media /by Stacey Valle

When learning American Sign Language (ASL), it is important to know the American Sign Language alphabet. You’ll come to learn that the handshapes of ASL alphabets are often included when […]

Kevin Hall, a Deaf professional golfer from Cincinnati, was featured in CBS Sports’ Masters video

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf/ASL News /by Stacey Valle

Kevin Hall, a Black Deaf professional golfer from Cincinnati, was featured in the opening Masters video that is shared by CBS Sports. The Masters is one of the four major […]

A Black deaf TikToker who explains Black American Sign Language has gone viral

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf/ASL News /by Stacey Valle

A Black Deaf TikToker, Charmay, spread awareness about Black American Sign Language (BASL), a dialect of American Sign Language (ASL). After her video had gone viral on TikTok: @itscharmayCool […]

How to sign different weather in American Sign Language (ASL)

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Social Media /by Stacey Valle

As a beginner who is learning American Sign Language (ASL), there are many basic ASL signs that you should know, such as the American Sign Language alphabet and weather! In […]

Deaf Actors protested a hearing actor playing a Deaf role

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf/ASL News /by Stacey Valle

A new limited event series, based on Stephan King’s novel, is currently airing on CBS. The miniseries sparked a protest from the Deaf communities, especially Deaf actors, because they cast […]

A Deaf Artist, Warren Snipe, will perform the songs in ASL at the Super Bowl

Updated February 15, 2021/1 Comment/in Deaf/ASL News /by Stacey Valle

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) recently announced the next Deaf person who will be signing American Sign Language (ASL) at the Super Bowl LV 2021: Warren “Wawa” Snipe! […]

How to sign different December holidays in American Sign Language (ASL)

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Stacey Valle

December is full of holidays! 😄 Since some of these December holidays may be part of our lives, these ASL signs are important to know as a beginner when having […]

How to sign different social media networks in American Sign Language (ASL)

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Social Media /by Stacey Valle

Social Media has been growing and changing in the last couple of years! It’s now a big part of many people’s lives. When having a conversation with another person, someone […]

Shoshannah Stern

Updated February 15, 2021/2 Comments/in Famous Deaf People, Student Papers /by Michelle Jay

Shoshannah Stern is a well known deaf actress who is best known for her roles as Bonnie Richmond in Jericho, Holly Brodeen in Threat Matrix, and Megan Graves on Weeds. […]

How to sign months in American Sign Language (ASL)

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Social Media /by Stacey Valle

Before you learn how to sign different months of the year in American Sign Language (ASL), it’s important that you learn the American Sign Language alphabet first. The ASL signs […]

Bilingualism and Deaf Education

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in ASL Careers /by Jasmine Solis

The discussion of Deaf Education and its pedagogy has been examined relentlessly for many decades and continues to be a heated topic of discussion. Deaf children, whether with or without […]

Law and the Deaf

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Culture, Student Papers /by Start ASL

By Janet Alberts | 16 November 2020 Every Deaf and hard of hearing individual has the right to communication access. These rights, as well as other laws are protected by […]

Texas School for the Deaf

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in ASL Careers, Student Papers /by Start ASL

Isabella Rogers | 30 November 2020 Although many would disregard the disabled, The Texas School for the Deaf is considered the pride of Texas because it accomplished so much independently […]

Impact of Deafness on Intergenerational Communication

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Hearing Loss, Student Papers /by Start ASL

by Beth Cogen | 22 December 2020 There are two main constructions of deafness: deafness as a medical condition, and deafness as a linguistic and cultural minority (Valentine and Skelton […]

Impact of Masks on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf/ASL News, Student Papers /by Start ASL

by Jonathan McGee (10/29/2020) The world wide pandemic has caused many inconveniences for the general public. Shops are closed, plans were cancelled, “regular life” has been interrupted, but in all […]

Poetry in the Deaf Community

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf Culture, Student Papers /by Start ASL

by Emma Pellegrini | 16 November 2020 It is often noted, and quite strongly from a multitude of personal experiences, that words have power. A power that is stronger than […]

The Pandemic’s Impact on Kids in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community

Updated February 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Deaf/ASL News, Student Papers /by Start ASL

by Nancy Green | 14 November 2020 I chose an article titled “The pandemic’s impact of kids in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community – and how parents and […]