American Sign Language Site

Welcome!

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

V E R Y S P E C I A L A N N O U N C E M E N T

Locally, there was a young man who, in my eyes, acted like the hero that he truly is: he tried to save a local woman from her burning house located near my home/office. He sustained many injuries unsuccessfully trying to save her. This young man, Greg Bryant, is only 20 years old and had just started a new job so he has no insurance. He burned his arms, hands and face badly and needs long-term treatment. The loss of Mrs. Bundy, the woman in the house, has also left her widower, Mr. Bob Bundy, in a vulnerable place as well.

In order to help these two people, there are two accounts set up where you can donate whatever you can give to Greg and/or to Mr. Bundy, or to both. Both accounts are located at:

Frontier Bank

Port Townsend Branch

2200 West Sims Way

Port Townsend, WA 98368

The phone number for the bank is (360) 379-4616 to verify that these accounts are there truly there to help these two wonderful gentlemen who are both in great financial need.

Count your own blessings and please give generously to these funds!

Web site for Frontier Bank: http://www.frontierbank.com

If you want to mail your donation:

Frontier Bank

PO Box 1178

Port Townsend, WA 98368

Please indicate how much you are sending and who you wish to receive your donation.

Here's the link to the Port Townsend Leader, local newspaper who reported the incident. Please enter "Greg Bryant" in the search box and any articles concerning this story will come up.

Just click on the link below to get to the main page of the Leader:

http://www.ptleader.com

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY. I urge you to give to help these two wonderful

neighbors and people who are in such great need.

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.

FRAN'S SERVICES

Offering various items on eBay.

Click below and take a look!

Miscellaneous

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.

Washington at OyMap.org - a world directory

Visitors to this Web Site Hit Counter

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.