American Sign Language Site

Welcome!

IMPORTANT BILL REGARDING HEARING AID HELP - SEE THE NEWS PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION!!!

The purpose of this Web site is to enhance awareness of Deaf Issues, the Deaf Culture, Hard-of-Hearing (HOH) issues and to help the community with providing resources. Those who may be helped by this site include:

Those who are Deaf
Those who are Hard-of-Hearing (HOH)
Those who have any type of hearing loss
Family members of Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing
Students of ASL (American Sign Language)
Friends, co-workers, anyone interested in ASL, Hard of Hearing Issues and the Deaf Community
Those who may live in or around the Jefferson County and Kitsap County areas

American Sign Language Site is a place where you can find information and resources to help understand the Deaf Culture, the Hard of Hearing and I hope it will be helpful to hearing people as well.

What is ASL? American Sign Language is a language used by the Deaf using space and movement to convey meaning and is capable of expressing any abstract idea - just like any other language. Many people think that ASL is English presented through the use of signs. It is not a form of English, rather it has its own distinct language. ASL is very visual rather than being auditory and contains specific movements that convey its own language. ASL has existed for as long as there have been Deaf Americans and was standardized in 1817 when Laurent Clerc and Thomas H. Gallaudet established the very first School for the Deaf in the United States. ASL is used by approximately one-half million Deaf people in the United States and Canada alone.

What is the Deaf Community? It is a Community like any other with its own functions, traditions and community expression. At the very heart of this Community is it's language: ASL. This language presents experiences, thoughts, traditions and values shared by its Community members and it is a vibrant and cohesive group of it's own. Just like any Community that passes down it's traditions, the Deaf Community has it's own history and fellowship. It has it's own language and traditions. It has it's own concepts and close member interaction and connections.

What is HOH? Hard of Hearing or HOH refers to those who are not Deaf, but are losing their ability to hear. It may be a slow process or occur overnight, but this section of people are unique in that they are not Deaf and they are not Hearing. Many people associate HOH to the elderly and this is not accurate. People from all walks of life and age ranges can be effected by HOH issues.

Event Calendar

This area lists events related to the Deaf Culture, learning ASL, classes, meetings, groups, social events and much more. Contains a NEW interactive Calendar of Events for getting details about Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Events.

Favorites

These are sites most frequently viewed. Click on the Favorites button to go to the page listing various links. Below are some examples of the many links listed.

Basic ASL Dictionary On-Line
CSD TV - On line video news for the Deaf in ASL
Fingerspell Alphabet
Michigan State University ASL Browser

News

This area lists various news and articles about the Deaf Culture, ASL, HOH (Hard-of-Hearing), Oral Hearing Loss, Resources, Bills and Laws related to hearing aid legislation, Social Services offered and other items of interest.

Feedback

Any comments, questions, suggestions or events you would like to let me know about? I welcome any feedback you wish to contribute on my FEEDBACK page.

Miscellaneous Links & Web Sites:

Help to raise $100 million

to provide free psychological

counseling to our returning

veterans and jobs for those who need them.

Visit www.welcomebackveterans.org

for more details.

In memory of 9/11

FACES OF THE FALLEN

Click here to view

a list of those who

have died in service

to their country

In Memory of those

lost, may God's open

arms welcome them.

To get more details about helping,

and how TO BECOME A SPONSOR LIKE I AM please visit

MY PERSONAL LIFT ONE PROJECT WEBSITE

located at:

http://www.liftoneproject.org/goto/fran.barclay

THANK YOU!

Washington at OyMap.org - a world directory

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Disclaimer: Material provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not medically related. The content on this site is provided by my own research online and with other people and sites related to hearing loss issues. It is not to be substituted for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. A physician or qualified medical health provider should always be consulted with any questions you may have regarding hearing loss or any other medical condition. This site is not affiliated with any program, company, business or individual and is a personal and individual web site only.