Below, you’ll find a list of local and national resources related to American sign language, the Deaf community, education for the Deaf and hard of hearing, and speech differences.
If you’re interested in volunteering for HSDC’s Seattle, Tacoma, or Bellingham offices, visit our Volunteer page to learn more.
If you’d like to learn some tips on how to communicate with Deaf and hard of hearing people, visit our Deaf 101 page.
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Learning American Sign Language (ASL)
Interested in learning American Sign Language? The most consistent source of intensive ASL classes is colleges, many of which offer nighttime options.
Like most languages, ASL is easy to learn and takes years to master. ASL is not a signed form of English. It is a unique language, with its own grammar and syntax. If you want to improve, meet Deaf and hard of hearing people who sign. Get involved with some of the local organizations listed on this page or volunteer for HSDC!
Some organizations offering ASL classes (as of October 2019):
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Local Organizations
National and International Organizations
- American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC)
- Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Losses
- Council de Manos
- deaffriendly.com
- Deaf Women United (DWU)
- Discovering Deaf Worlds
- Hands and Voices
- National Association of the Deaf (NAD)
- National Black Deaf Advocates (NBDA)
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
- World Federation of the Deaf
Higher Education for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Universities
- Gallaudet University | Washington, DC
- National Center on Deafness | California State University, Northridge | Northridge, CA
- National Technical Institute for the Deaf | Rochester Institute of Technology | Rochester, NY
Scholarships and Resources
The Benefits of Bilingual Education
For Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children
- The Benefits of American Sign Language for Language and Literacy | Gallaudet University
- Getting the Word In: Studying Language Acquisition in Deaf Children | Boston University
- The Importance of Early Exposure to American Sign Language with Deaf Children | Signing Savvy
- Kindergarten Readiness for Deaf Children in American Sign Language (Video) | ASLized
- Sign Language for Parents | National Association of the Deaf
- Should all Deaf Children Learn Sign Language? (PDF) | American Academy of Pediatrics
- Visual Language | American Society for Deaf Children
- Why ASL? (Video) | ASLized
For All Children
- 6 Potential Brain Benefits of Bilingual Education | NPR
- Advantages of a Bilingual Brain | Michigan State University
- The Benefits of a Bilingual Brain (Video) | TED-Ed
- The Benefits of Being Bilingual | Department of Education
- Bilingualism in the Early Years: What the Science Says | LEARNing Landscapes