Sign with your Baby classes - Focuses on how to teach your infant/tot beginning signs of communication while an open forum is provided for parents to network and discuss parenting issues.  Classes are divided into 6-week sessions that meet once a week.

 Benefits of Early ASL Presentation -  This is a presentation on the benefits of early introduction to American Sign Language.  New and prospective parents as well as early child educators learn that it is never too early to communicate with their child. 

Afterschool ASL - Offered in collaboration with your school's parent organization or after-school program.  Offers elementary school children an introduction to American Sign Language.  To add Afterschool ASL to your child's school, ask your local parks and recreation, PTA, or school administrator to email instructor@ASLasl.com.

4 and 5 year olds and delayed readers:  This for those entering kindergarten or who need reading reinforcement.  The class uses sign language to teach beginning reading skills in preparation for the first 100 days of kindergarten.

6 and 7 year olds:  With the help of Bert, Ernie, and Oscar the Grouch, students get an introduction to Deaf culture as well as build their signing vocabulary in a not-so Baby Bear way. The PAWS computer reading program based on Deaf actress Linda Bove's Sesame Street teachings is used.

8 - 11 year olds:  This is our most "techie" class that uses a robotic fingerspelling application, and various visual acuity websites to help children build the necessary spatial skills needed for manual communication, math, and memory.  

12 - 15 year olds:  This is a good ol' fashion conversational ASL class to get older kids signing and conversing with each other in a relatively short period of time.  Students can then use their new signing skills to help them clarify verbal information when talking is not allowed or would not be heard (loud environment).

Signing in the Classroom Workshop-  This is a 3-hour workshop for early and young child educators that focuses on signing for classroom management.  Beginning vocabulary needed to keep children safe, happy, and entertained while being educated will be covered as well as ASL resources for the classroom.

GROUND ZERO OFFERINGS  (As in know absolutely NOTHING about signing:)

Intro to ASL Presentation -  This is a brief one-hour presentation intended to increase your signing vocabulary and give you a quick introduction to American Sign Language and its applications and uses.  The keys to learning ASL, the importance of visual acuity, fingerspelling, pronouns, and classifiers are touched on as well as a method of self-study to continue learning America's third most commonly used language. 

Community ASL for Adults - This is a ground zero level and great class to begin with if you are absolutely new to signing.  It starts off slow and stays slow to ensure you retain the vocabulary learned in class.  Sessions run for approximately 9 weeks and meet once a week.  Each session studies a different handshape and signing vocabulary based on that handshape.   It is suggested that you take at least 2 Commuity ASL sessions before moving on to ASL 101.

NOVICE OFFERINGS

ASL 101 - In its entirety contains 48 lessons and is based on the curriculum used at California State University.   The 48 lessons are divided into "parts" (i.e. ASL 101 Part 1; ASL 101 Part 2, etc....).   The Part 1 class is for those who have completed 9th grade grammar and can fingerspell their names.  It has a hybrid format - meaning that one week we meet in class and the next week you are emailed a lesson to work on at home.  Sessions last for 9 weeks.   You need not have taken ASL 101 Part 1 before taking ASL 101 Part 2 or 3, etc...  It depends on your signing proficiency.  To learn more about which session (Part) you should enroll in, click here.

Mimes and Idioms-  For those who want to go a little beyond the basics, the Mimes and Idioms class covers classifiers, expressive language, use of signing space, conceptual and spatial thinking to learn how to sign descriptions of objects and shapes as well as how to sign English idioms.  Sessions usually run between 8 and 10 weeks.

 For SEASONED CITIZENS

ASL for Aural Rehabiliation - This course is offered only once a year and is for those living with hearing loss.  It is an ideal class for those with presbycusis (age-related hearing loss).  An introduction to aural rehabilitation as provided by the Hearing Loss Association of America, essential signs to augment verbal communication, and Dr. Samuel Trychin's curriculum for those living with hearing loss is used for this 16 week course that meets weekly.  Cost:  $180

Signing with Seniors  -  After childhood, research has show that age 60 and older is the next best time to learn another language.  Signing with Seniors is a 6-week class that will provide you with enough knowledge to engage in a rudimentary signed conversation while assisting with manual dexterity and fine motor skills, as well as visual acuity.    If you are a senior with hearing loss, please consider the ASL for Aural Rehabilitation class instead. Cost:  $60

MEDICAsL - This 16-lesson course meets once a week for 60 minutes each class for 16 weeks and uses curriculum developed by Joseph Garcia, PhD for medical practitioners.  Covers how to handle simple medical questions and information with your Deaf patient.  

Signing for Safety Workshop - This morning or afternoon workshop covers essential signs needed for police officers and medical staff while awaiting a sign langauge interpreter to arrive on the scene.  Covers approximately 200 signs, fingerspelling, and numbers.

Essential ASL Presentation -  This is a brief one-hour presentation intended to increase your signing vocabulary and give you a quick introduction to deafness.  Pronouns, numbers, manual alphabet, question words, and other frequently used signs are covered as well as what in the world you do should you come across a deaf person.

Including a Student with Hearing Loss Workshop -  This is a 3-hour workshop that explains how to better understand and include students with hearing loss in the main-streamed classroom, focusing on the communication model and barriers to communication in the school setting.  This is an excellence in-service opportunity for educators with little or no experience teaching deaf and hard of hearing students in the mainstreamed classroom.  Cost:  $35/person or $300/organization *travel reimbursement outside of Shelby County, TN will apply

Deaf Family Literacy Midsouth - This free program is for families of deaf and hard of hearing children ages birth - 12.   There are no residency requirements but you must be able to attend events/activities in Shelby County using your own transporation.  To learn more about the program visit barbarabushfoundation.com  or click on the Deaf Family Literacy tab above.  To begin application process, click here. 

 

Tennessee Hands and Voices  - Hands & Voices is dedicated to supporting families with children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing without a bias around communication modes or methodology. H & V is a parent-driven, non-profit organization providing families with the resources, networks, and information they need to improve communication access and educational outcomes for their children. Outreach activities, parent/professional collaboration, and advocacy efforts are focused on enabling Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing children to reach their highest potential.   The Memphis area Hands and Voices are very active and eager to provide you with information and assistance.  To learn more, click here. 

Deaf Connect of the Mid-south  -  Strives to improve the quality of life of the deaf & hard of hearing and, in turn, contribute to the overall growth and prosperity of the community.  DeafConnect of the Mid-South provides ASL Interpreter Services to Memphis and the Metropolitan area, upon request and dependent upon availability.  Annual events and activities include an art exhibition showcasing the works of local Deaf and hard of hearing artists as well as the Deaf Picnic in celebration of Deaf Awareness Month in September.  To learn more, click here.

Memphis Chapter of the Association of the Deaf  -  Is a local association affiliated with the Tennessee Association of the Deaf (TAD). The mission of TAD is to promote the general welfare of deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing people by advocating accessible services and programs across the Great State of Tennessee.  The Memphis chapter helps to support events such as Deaf Tennessean Expo and the Tennessee Association of the Deaf Conference.  You may become a member by clicking here.

East Memphis Chapter of Quota International  -  Is known especially for service to disadvantaged women and children and to people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, and speech-impaired.  The East Memphis chapter has especially been active in supporting the efforts of the former Memphis City Schools Hearing Intervention Program offering deaf and hard of hearing students free books, learning opportunities, and graduation fee assistance.