Deaf Plus

LEARNING AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE (ASL): 

Learning American Sign Language (ASL) requires time, patience, practice, and a sense of humor. If you are a parent of a newly identified child who is deaf or hard of hearing, you can request ASL instruction from your child’s early intervention system. Early intervention systems are designed to help your child develop in all areas and to provide services to families so they can support their child. More information is available at Sign Language for Parents. 

Individual signs are relatively easy to learn. Like any spoken language, ASL has its own unique rules of grammar and syntax. It can take a year or more to learn enough signs for basic communication and to sign them comfortably. Some people pick up signs more slowly than others, and if that is the case for you, don’t be discouraged. Everyone learns sign language at their own speed. Be patient, and you will succeed in learning the language. The rewards will be well worth the effort! 

You can start learning ASL by attending a sign language class offered by organizations, companies, community colleges, or universities. You can also expand your knowledge of ASL by practicing your signs with people who are deaf or hard of hearing and also know ASL. Generally, people who know ASL are patient about showing new signers how to sign different things, the correct way to sign something, and they will usually slow down their signing so that you can understand them too. They are also willing to repeat words or statements if you do not understand them the first (or even the second) time. 

ASL is a visual language. With signing, the brain processes linguistic information through the eyes, and facial expressions and body movements play an important part in conveying information. It is possible to sign without using facial expressions or body movements, but doing so may convey a mixed message, be confusing, or be misunderstood. It will also look odd or unnatural to native signers. 

Sign language is not a universal language—each country has its own sign language, and regions have dialects, much like the many languages spoken all over the world. If you were to travel to another state and have an opportunity to sign with a person who knows ASL, you may notice that they use some signs differently than you. These signs are known as “regional” signs, and you can think of them as the equivalent of an “accent.” It does not mean that people in your state are signing incorrectly. It is just a normal variation in ASL, and such regional signs add flavor to your understanding of ASL. 

When you don’t know the sign for something, spell the word or words (called “fingerspelling”). When you discover there is no sign for a word, you should not invent or make up a new sign. Doing so may violate the grammatical rules of ASL or may be unintentionally offensive. 

Speed is not crucial in sign language. It is more important to sign clearly, even if you have to do it at a slower pace. When people often ask you to repeat yourself, it is a signal that you should slow down and try to sign as clearly as possible. Do not feel embarrassed if you sign slowly. It is important to get your message across, to connect with another person, and to be understood. There are no shortcuts to effective communication. 

Enjoy the journey of learning ASL! 

Understanding Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH)

What is Deaf Culture?

Deaf culture encompasses the social beliefs, behaviors, artistic expressions, literary traditions, history, values, and shared institutions of communities shaped by deafness, where sign languages serve as the primary form of communication.

DHH:

Deaf: This term refers to individuals who have little to no hearing and often use sign language as their primary means of communication. Many in the Deaf community view their deafness not as a disability, but as a unique cultural identity. Deaf individuals often have their own distinct language (e.g., American Sign Language) and social practices.

Hard of Hearing: This term describes individuals who have varying degrees of hearing loss but may still rely on spoken language to communicate. People who are hard of hearing might use hearing aids or other assistive technologies to help them hear and understand speech. The hard of hearing community often spans a wide range of hearing abilities and communication preferences.

Both “Deaf” and “Hard of Hearing” are umbrella terms that encompass a diverse community of individuals with different experiences, identities, and methods of communication.

DeafPlus:

DeafPlus: Under the broader categories of Deaf and Hard of Hearing, “DeafPlus” refers to individuals who are deaf and have additional disabilities. This term is important for understanding the diverse needs of consumers within the Deaf community. In particular, DeafPlus individuals may have disabilities recognized under the Lanterman Act, qualifying them for services from the Regional Center.

It’s important to note that if a consumer is deaf but does not have a disability under the Lanterman Act, they would not be eligible for these specific services. Thus, DeafPlus serves as an important designation to highlight those in the community who require additional support due to their combined challenges.

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