Resources

The best advice I can give on resources is to tell you to contact:

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

Information Clearinghouse

1 Communication Avenue

Bethesda, MD 20892-3456

Voice: (800) 241-1044

TTY: (800) 241-1055

Fax: (301) 907-8830

E-mail: nidcdinfo@nidcd.nih.gov

Internet: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/

The NIDCD Information Clearinghouse collects and disseminates information on normal and disordered communication processes, including diseases that affect hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language. They offer a directory (Directory: Information Resources for Human Communication Disorders), which is designed to encourage networking among individuals and organizations that have an interest in deafness and communication disorders. The main body of the directory includes organizations that are national in scope and that focus on health issues relating to the subjects mentioned above.

The directory is also available on the Internet at: webdh.nidcd.nih.gov/resdir/resourc.html  

Here are a few key contacts from that publication:

ADARA: Professionals Networking for Excellence in Service Delivery with Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
(Formerly AMERICAN DEAFNESS AND REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION)
P.O. Box 480
Myersville, MD 21773
E-mail: ADARAorgn@aol.com
Web: http://www.adara.org/
Promotes and participates in quality human service delivery to deaf and hard of hearing people through agencies and individuals

Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf (A.G. Bell)

3417 Volta Place, NW

Washington, DC 20007

(800) HEAR-KID

(202) 337-8314 Fax

AGBELL2@aol.com

http://www.agbell.org/

Private, non-profit organization that supports and advocates for oralism.

American Association of the Deaf-Blind
814 Thayer Avenue, Room 302
Silver spring, MD 20910-4500
TTY: 301-495-4402
Voice 301-495-4403
FAX: 301-495-4404
E-mail: info@aadb.org
Web: http://www.aadb.org/
Mission is to assure that a comprehensive, coordinated system of services is accessible to all deaf-blind people, enabling them to achieve their maximum potential through increased independence, productivity, and integration into the community.

American Society for Deaf Children
P.O. Box 3355
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Voice/TTY: 800-942-ASDC (Parent Hotline)
Voice/TTY: 717-334-7922 (Business)
FAX: 717-334-8808
E-mail: ASDC1@aol.com
Web: http://www.deafchildren.org/
Nonprofit parent-helping-parent organization promoting a positive attitude toward signing and deaf culture.

American Tinnitus Association
P.O. Box 5
Portland, OR 97207-0005
Voice: 800-634-8978
Voice: 503-248-9985
FAX: 503-248-0024
E-mail: tinnitus@ata.org
Web: http://www.ata.org/
Nonprofit, voluntary, human health, and welfare agency dedicated to providing support of scientific research leading to the elimination of tinnitus as a health problems

Association of Late-Deafened Adults (ALDA)

1131 Lake Street, #204

Oak Park, IL 60301

VOICE/FAX: (877) 907-1738

TTY: (708) 358-0135

Internet: http://www.alda.org/

A resource center providing information and referral, self-help, and support groups for people deafened as adults. ALDA words to increase public awareness of the special needs of deafened adults. Holds annual conference (ALDAcon).

Beginnings for Parents of Children Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Inc. (Beginnings)

3900 Barrett Drive, Ste. 100

Raleigh, NC 27609

VOICE/TTY: (919) 571-4843, 9 am to 5 pm, eastern time

TOLL FREE VOICE/TTY: (800) 541-4327

FAX: (919) 571-4846

Internet: http://www.beginningssvcs.com/

Provides support to parents of deaf and hard of hearing children in an unbiased, family-centered atmosphere.

Captioned Media Program (CMP),

National Association of the Deaf

1447 East Main Street

Spartanburg, SC 29307

TOLL FREE: (800) 237-6213

TTY: (800) 237- 6819

FAX: (800) 538-5636

E-mail: info@cfv.org

Internet: http://www.cfv.org/

A free-loan collection with approximately 4,500 titles. Theatrical, special-interest, and educational titles are available. All are open-captioned and available free of charge to any American with a hearing loss, or to any hearing person involved with hearing loss, such as parents and teachers.

Cochlear Implant Association, Inc.
5335 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Suite 440
Washington, DC 20015-2034
Voice/TTY: 202-895-2781
E-mail: pwms.cici@worldnet.att.net
Web: http://www.cici.org/
Provides information and support to cochlear implant users and their families, professionals, and the general public.

Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf (CAID)

P.O. Box 377, Bedford, TX 76095-0377

Voice/TTY: 817-354-8414

e-Mail: caid@swbell.net

Internet: http://www.caid.org/

Organization that promotes professional development, communication, and information exchange among educators of people who are deaf or hard of hearing and other interested individuals.

Gallaudet University (GI)

800 Florida Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002-3695

Voice/TTY: 202-651-5505

Fax: 303-651-5704

e-Mail: public.relations@gallaudet.edu

Internet: http://www.gallaudet.edu/

World’s only university for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

International Catholic Deaf Association
United States Section
1030 S. Lagrange Rd #9
Lagrange, IL 60525-2893
TTY: 708-579-5817
FAX: 708-579-5847
E-mail: .ICDAUS@Ameritech.net
Web: http://www.icda-us.org/
Promotes ministry for Catholic deaf people.

Junior National Association of the Deaf
814 Thayer Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910-4500
TTY: 301-587-4875
Voice: 301-587-1788
FAX: 301-587-1791
E-mail: nadyouth@nad.org
Web site: http://www.nad.org/JRNAD
 Develops and promotes citizenship, scholarship, and leadership skills in deaf and hard of hearing students (grades 7-12) through chapter projects, national conventions, contests, and other activities.

League for the Hard of Hearing
New York Location:
71 West 23rd Street
New York, NY 10010-4162
Voice: 917-305-7700
TTY: 917-305-7999
FAX: 917-305-7888
E-mail: postmaster@lhh.org
Web: http://www.lhh.org/
Mission is to improve the quality of life for infants, children, and adults with all degrees of hearing loss

National Association of the Deaf (NAD)

814 Thayer Avenue

Silver Spring, MD 20910-4500

Voice: (301) 587-1788

TTY: (301) 587-1789

FAX: (301) 587-1791

E-mail: nadinfo@nad.org

Internet: http://www.nad.org/

The nation’s largest consumer organization safeguarding the accessibility and civil rights of 28 million deaf and hard-of-hearing Americans in education, employment, health care, and telecommunications.

National Service Dog Center (NSDC)

Delta Society

289 Perimeter Road East

Renton, WA 98055-1329

Voice: (800) 869-6898

FAX: (425) 235-1076

E-mail: nsdc@compuserve.com

Internet: http://www.deltasociety.org/

Provides information about the selection, training, stewardship, and roles of service dog training programs and related resources.

National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID)

52 Lomb Memorial Drive

Rochester, NY 14623-5604

Voice/TTY: (716) 475-6906

FAX: (716) 475-6500

E-mail: ntidmc@rit.edu

Internet: http://www.rit.edu/ntid

Provides deaf and hard-of-hearing students with outstanding state-of-the-art technical and professional education programs, complemented by a strong arts and sciences curriculum, that prepare them to live and work in the mainstream of a rapidly changing global community and

enhance their lifelong learning.

The National Theatre of the Deaf
55 Van Dyke Avenue, Suite 312
Hartford, CT 06106
Voice/TTY: 860-724-5179
Toll free: 800-300-5179
FAX: 860-550-7974
E-mail/booking info: tour@ntd.org
E-mail general info: info@ntd.org
Web: http://www.ntd.org/
Concentrates on artistic and theatrical professional development of deaf actors. Tours the United States and abroad.

Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID)

8630 Fenton Street, Suite 324

Silver Spring, MD 20910-3803

Voice/TTY: (301) 608-0050

FAX: (301) 608-0508

E-mail: admin@rid.org

Internet: http://www.rid.org/

 The philosophy of RID is that excellence in the delivery of interpretation/transliteration services among people who are deaf and hard of hearing and people who are hearing will ensure effective communication.

Self-Help for Hard of Hearing (SHHH)

7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1200

Bethesda, MD 20814

Voice: (301) 657-2248

TTY: (301) 657-2249

Fax: (301) 913-9413

E-mail: national@shhh.org

Internet: http://www.shhh.org/

A Volunteer, international organization composed of people who are hard of hearing and their relatives and friends. Support group.

USA Deaf Sports Federation

911 Tierra Linda Drive
Frankfort, NY 40601-4633
E-mail: scoggins@usadsf.org
Web: http://www.usadsf.org/

Governing body for all deaf sports and recreation in the United States. Sponsors U.S. team to the World Games for the Deaf and other regional, national, and international competitions.

World Federation of the Deaf (WFD)

Magnus Ladulasgatan 63

4tr, SE-118 27

Stockholm, Sweden

FAX: +46 8 442 1499

E-mail: carol-lee.aquiline@wfdnews.org

Internet: http://www.wfdnews.org/

Dedicated to promoting human and social rights of deaf people, advocating their full participation in society, equalizing opportunities, strengthening the status of sign language, advancing educational opportunities for people who are deaf, promoting their access to information, and stimulating the efforts of national associations of the deaf in an effort to improve the overall situation of deaf communities in every country.

ASL Internet Links

This list is by no means exhaustive. In fact, many of the sites listed here provide links to sites that are not included in this list. I did my best to make sure the links were working, as well as tried to give you an idea of what the site consists of. I, in no way, endorse any site. I have indicated which sites I felt were the most informative, but sites change and I don’t endorse them or their contents.

~Trix's ASL Workshop http://www.aslworkshop.com/ A one-woman show with information on ASL and books. Has books available (for advanced students) that you don’t normally find.

~CU Online, University of Colorado at Denver http://www.cuonline.edu/ Provides online ASL classes

~American Sign Language Fonts http://babel.uoregon.edu/yamada/fonts/asl.html A few fonts you can download into your computer (I use Gallaudet and I like it).

~Deafology 101 http://www.deafology.com/ A Deaf one-man show

~American Sign Language : A Pathfinder -- Gallaudet University Library http://library.gallaudet.edu/dr/guid-asl.htmlDeaf related Resources (Books, magazines, articles, etc. available.)

~ASL: Academic Acceptance & Official Recognition

http://library.gallaudet.edu/dr/faq-asl-recog.htmlAccepting ASL as a legitimate language.

~GG Wiz's FingerSpeller http://www.iwaynet.net/~ggwiz/asl/Fingerspelling, quizzes, games

~ASL number systems in technical discourse http://www.rit.edu/~dabdis/tech/nbrs.html Highly advanced discussions of numbers.

~Universities accepting ASL as a foreign language http://www.unm.edu/~wilcox/ASLFL/univlist.html

~ASL Linguistic Research Project at Boston University http://www.bu.edu/asllrp/ Highly advanced discussion of the syntactic structure of ASL.

~Fingerspelled ABCs pictures http://disserv3.stu.umn.edu/AltForm/asl-guide.html Large black and white pictures of each letter of the manual alphabet.

~The American Sign Language in VRML http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/~su/asl/asl.html Same as above

~Sign Language Associates http://www.signlanguage.com/Info on jobs, video relay, interpreting, etc. Based in Maryland.

~Sign Writing http://www.signwriting.org/A proposed way to write down the language of ASL.

~Indigenous signs for cities (alphabetical by country) http://www.rit.edu/~dabdis/indj/cty/toc.html Advanced descriptions of city signs.

~NIDCD Health Information: American Sign Language http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/asl.asp  Basically FAQ about ASL.

~ASL Classifiers http://www.jal.cc.il.us/ipp/Classifiers/ Advanced.

~Indigenous sign for countries by region http://www.rit.edu/~dabdis/indj/cntry/toc.html

~Linguistics of ASL http://www.angelfire.com/ny4/linguisticsofasl/index.html

~ASLIE - American Sign Language & Interpreting Education http://www.ntid.rit.edu/aslie/index.asp

~A Basic Guide to ASL http://www.masterstech-home.com/ASLDict.html

~Animated Dictionary of Religious Signs http://deafmissions.com/dic/ADRSindex.html

~Read ANY text as if it were being finger spelled http://www.umsl.edu/~tjlcniem/fspell.htm

~American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting Resources http://asl_interpreting.tripod.com/

~Signs of Development Home Page, http://www.signs-of-development.org/American Sign Language, interpreting

~Lots of info on ASL and some sign language downloads http://listen-up.org/sign.htm

~ASL Activities, Books, & Materials for Students of All Ages http://members.aol.com/alysser/aslpgs.htm Tons of links!

~Ready! Set! Sign!! http://www.readysetsign.com/index2.html Products.

~Laurel's Sign Link http://signpetch__1.tripod.com/laurelssignlink/  If you dig, you’ll find tons of stuff

~Signs for technical vocabulary http://www.rit.edu/~dabdis/tech/vocab/b.html Advanced.

~ASL Browser http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/browser.htm From MSU VERY GOOD!!

~Medical Phrases in ASL http://www.angelfire.com/pa3/ecarpenter/phrases.htm

~ASLinfo.com - Information and resources related to American Sign Language (ASL) http://www.aslinfo.com/index.cfm Great site for Deaf Culture and more!

~Sign Language Dictionaries Online http://deafness.about.com/library/weekly/aa102599.htm?once=true&

~American Sign Language Sites http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/DIS/OHSICS/forlang/amslan.htm

~Books for Learning Sign Language http://clerccenter.gallaudet.edu/InfoToGo/111.html VERY in-depth~U of R Linguistics Home Page http://www.ling.rochester.edu/

~Purple Princess's ASL Links (main page) http://www.geocities.com/mistre55/Another very filled site.

~Just LINKS http://www.geocities.com/terp_dale/ LINKS.html

~Peepla's Home Page http://www.cinternet.net/~peepla/peephome.htm   Deaf chat, etc.

~LEARNING AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE http://modena.intergate.ca/business/asl/  Another sales site

~Learning American Sign Language ASL and Signed English (SE) http://www.lessontutor.com/ASLgenhome.html  An EXCELLENT site!!!

~Signing Online - Learn American Sign Language http://www.signingonline.com/  Online sign language course

~The Tactile Mind http://www.thetactilemind.com/  A magazine for the tactile community (Sign language).

~Baby Signs books, Baby signing for babies, infants, and toddlers. A guide for parents http://www.babysigns.com/

~SIGN with your BABY - How to communicate with hearing infants before they can talk http://www.sign2me.com/   THIS is the one I teach and recommend.

~ASL Sign Language Mentor http://www.aslmentor.com/wolfance/index.html   SALES

~The Department of American Sign Language and Deaf Studies at Gallaudet University http://depts.gallaudet.edu/deaf.studies/index.htm

~ASL Program at Rochester in New York  http://www.asl.rochester.edu/

~ASL Pah! A site for American Sign Language students and teachers http://aslpah.com/  Programs in ASL and free e-zine.

~Interpreter training programs http://members.aol.com/dmariemac/index.html   Info on becoming an interpreter.

~ASL Fingerspelling http://where.com/scott.net/asl/  My favorite fingerspelling site

Deaf-Related Internet Links

~Statewide services for deaf and hard of hearing: http://clerccenter.gallaudet.edu/InfoToGo/501.html

~DAWWWN - Deaf Abused Women Warrior's Web Network http://dawwwn.homestead.com/files/index.html   For deaf victims of abuse (all kinds). Helpful for those who need it and interesting to all.

~Sprint Relay Online www.sprintrelayonline.com

~Christian Deaf Related Graphics http://www.ioweb.com/calvary/graphics/graphics.html

~AT&T Online Relay http://www.consumer.att.com/relay/

~Deaf Hot News http://www.deafhotnews.com/business/  List of deaf-owned businesses

~Gallaudet University Press: Featuring Books on American Sign Language, Deaf  http://gupress.gallaudet.edu/  Has extensive lists of books available

~The Deafened People Page http://www.deafened.org/

~Beyond Hearing http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/4727/bhframe.htm  

~Association of Late Deafened Adults http://www.alda.org/

~Harris Communications http://www.harriscomm.com/ catalog/  WONDERFUL store--Possibly THE best deaf and HOH-oriented store. Highly recommend you contact them and requesting a free catalog.

~Deaf Mall - Deaf-owned Businesses and Deaf Related Products and Services http://www.deafmall.net/

~Deaf Connection http://members.aol.com/deafcultureinfo/Deaf_Connection1.htm  A click away from everything on the Internet (WONDERFUL site)

~Deaftek http://www.deaftek.org/  Employment opportunities for everyone in the deaf and HOH communities as well as hearing people planning to work with this community

~Deaf Linx http://www.deaflinx.com/  more links

~Deaf rights http://www.captions.com/deafrigh.html  Explains Deaf rights under the ADA

~Deaf town http://www.deaftown.com/  Deaf site with humor, cartoons, poetry, and more

~Eye On Events http://www.eyeonevents.com/   Online Deaf Magazine

~Captioned Media Program  http://www.cfv.org/  Offers free video rental with open captions to deaf, hard of hearing and families or teachers of such. Free postage both ways. Great deal!

~DeafZONE http://www.deafzone.com/welcome/index.html  Has deaf directory, jokes, interpreters, much more.

~Information on Deafness organized by topic http://clerccenter.gallaudet.edu/infotogo/

~Career stories of deaf people http://netac.rit.edu/goals/menu.html   

~Sign Media, Inc. http://www.signmedia.com/  A store with information as well

~Gallaudet Home Page: Welcome to Gallaudet University http://www.gallaudet.edu/  Only University strictly for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students in the world.

~Deaf Life Magazine http://www.deaflife.com/

~Helen Keller Services for the Blind http://www.helenkeller.org/

~Capital D | Inside Deaf America http://www.capitaldmagazine.com/  Deaf magazine

~Cochlear Implants: Navigating a Forest of Information ... One Tree at a Time-- http://clerccenter2.gallaudet.edu/KidsworldDeafnet/e-docs/CI/index.html

~Closed Captioning FAQ Index http://www.robson.org/capfaq/

~The interpreter's friend http://theinterpretersfriend.com/  Lots of help for interpreters advanced but thorough

~UofArk RTC http://www.uark.edu/depts/rehabres/  Research of deaf, HOH, deafblind, and late deafened

~Deaf Power! http://www.deafnotdumb.homestead.com/deafpower.html   Essay

~Travel Tips for Hearing Impaired People http://www.sinuscarecenter.com/herimaao.html

~NAD Homepage | National Association of the Deaf http://www.nad.org/

~Deaf Dude's Deaf links http://members.aol.com/deafdude/deafdude/deaf.htm

~Sign Language Videos http://www.videolearning.com/S2703.HTM

~Everything You Wanted to Know About Deafness - DEAF-INFO Web Site http://www.zak.co.il/ deaf-info/old/

~Silent Word Ministries Home Page http://www.silentwordministries.org/  Independent Fundamentalist Baptist ministry for the Deaf community. A very large and wonderful ministry

~Deaf Hangman Game http://www.quia.com/hm/3448.html

~Deaf Digest Newsletter http://deafdigest.org/  a great online newsletter to subscribe to

~Publishers and Vendors of Deaf-Related Materials http://library.gallaudet.edu/dr/faq-publ.html

~National Theatre of the Deaf http://www.ntd.org/

~Deaf Notes http://www.deafnotes.com/  an online deaf forum

~Open Captioned Movies Provided by InSight Cinema http://www.ohsoez.com/captioned_movies.htm

~Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf http://www.rid.org/

~Deafness Hard of Hearing http://deafness.about.com/

~National Deaf Academy Publication http://www.nationaldeafacademy.com/current_newsletter.htm

~Deaf Rochester News - Serving the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community http://www.deafrochesternews.org/id2.htm

~Helen Keller quotations http://library.gallaudet.edu/dr/faq-helen-keller.html

~Deaf Power NOW! http://www.deafpowernow.org/  deaf liberation

~Deaf Resources/E-Cards http://deafness.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.deafresources.com/card/holchristmas.htm  e-cards online

~Deaf Success Magazine - You Can Do It, Too. http://www.deafsuccess.com/

~Deaf Culture and sign links http://library.thinkquest.org/11942/links.htm

~Deaf Missions deaf ministry website http://www.deafmissions.com/

~Tragedy to Triumph--Helen Keller http://www.graceproducts.com/keller/life.html

~Deaf Jokes, Humor http://www.deafvision.com/lists/deafjokes/

~Deaf Link archives http://www.dcara.org/deaflink/index.htm

~Deaf Friends International (DFI) http://www.workersforjesus.com/dfi/

~The Helen A. Keller Institute for Human disAbilities http://chd.gse.gmu.edu/

~Self-identity of hearing impaired people http://www.zak.co.il/deaf-info/old/identity.html

~Deaf Power Homepage http://www.deafpower.org.uk/widp.html  Club for deaf youth

~Sign Enhancers, Inc http://www.signenhancers.com/home.lasso  Expensive, but impressive store

~SoundBytes http://www.soundbytes.com/  A store with free catalog (not as extensive as Harris)

~History Through Deaf Eyes http://depts.gallaudet.edu/deafeyes/

~Interpretations - Sign Language Jewelry, Clothing, and Gifts http://www.interpretations-sign.com/

~LIFTUPHANDS http://www.elijah.org/liftuphands/index.htm  Christian ministry

~Deaf Video Communications http://www.deafvideo.com/  Christian videos

Book Suggestions

Sign With Your Baby (How to Communicate with Infants Before They Can Speak) by Jospeh Garcia:  You’ll be amazed at how much babies can communicate with their hands, months before they can speak! Video and Book available separately or as a set.  106 pages, 1-hour video.

Signs For Me (Basic Vocabulary for Children) by Ben Bahan, Joe Dannis: Provides unique multi-dimensional illustrated approach. I used this for my children. It has a picture of what the sign is and the object the sign is for. I photocopied them and taped them around the house. 111 pages.

You Can Learn Sign Language! By Jackie Kramer, Tali Ovadia:  Over 300 words and ASL sentence order, geared for children. 47 pages.

Can I Help? (Helping the Hearing Impaired in Emergency Situations) by S. Harold Collins: Designed for those with little or no sign language knowledge. Signed English, not ASL. 30 pages.

Deafened People (Adjustment & Support) by Kathryn Woodcock, Miguel Aguayo: Covers late-onset deafness, technical, 248 pages.

Never the Twain Shall Meet (The Communication Debate) by Richard Winefield): Focuses on the famous 19^th century debate of how best to educate the deaf (Manual Vs Oralism). 129 pages.

For Hearing People Only by Mathew S. Moore, Linda Levitan): Answers some of the most common questions hearing people ask about deaf culture and how they communicate and live. Q/A Format. 724 pages.

Deaf In America (Voices from a Culture) by Carol Padden & Tom Humphries: Illuminates the life and culture of deaf people through their everyday talk, shared myths, art and performances. 134 pages.

A Journey Into the DEAF-WORLD by Harlan Lane: Delve into the language and culture of those living in the DEAF-WORLD. 513 pages.

Deaf Culture Our Way (Anecdotes from the Deaf Community) by Samuel Roy, Thomas Holcomb) Humorous anthology provides insight into the deaf community and their culture. 116 pages.

The Best of Both Worlds (a-not-so-silent life) by Lila orzel Miller: Shows that life as a hearing child growing up with deaf parents may have been a struggle for some, but there are also other people who grew up experiencing the best of the deaf and hearing worlds. 117 pages.

Mother Father Deaf (Living Between Sound & Silence) by Paul Preston: The unique stories of living between two cultures are revealed in the stories of150 hearing adults with deaf parents. 278 pages.

A Loss for Words (The Story of Deafness in a Family) by Lou Ann Walker: Told with humor and compassion, this story is about deafness but also about every family’s need to face its own uniqueness. 208 pages.

American Deaf Culture (An Anthology) edited by Shermann Wilcox: Join deaf and hearing authors as they explore cultural values. Authors include Ben Bahan, Veda Charrow, Terry Coye, Stephanie Hall, Tom Humphries, William Stokoe and more. 202 pages.

American Sign Language (A Look at its History, Structure, and Community) by Charlotte Baker and Carol Padden: Pamphlet provides history of ASL, information about its composition, use, culture, and community. 22 pages.

Deaf Heritage (A Narrative History of Deaf America) by Jack R. Gannon: In-depth history of Deaf America contains photos, illustrations, vignettes, and biographical profiles. 483 pages.

Deaf Heritage Student Text and Workbook: Supplementary materials for each chapter, followed by vocabulary and workbook activities, including comprehensive questions, matching and follow up. 115 pages.

Everyone Here Spoke Sign Language (Hereditary Deafness on Martha’s Vineyard) by Nora Ellen Groce: Presents a detailed, vivid description of daily life in the early 1900s when an entire community on Martha’s Vineyard, deaf and hearing alike, used sign language. 169 pages.

I've Lost My WHAT?!? A Practical Guide to Life After Deafness by Shawn Lovley: This book is for anyone who is baffled by their acquired hearing loss, knows someone who's wondering how to deal with his or her loss, or simply wants to know more about adult-onset deafness. A must read! 158 pages.

Reading Between the Signs (Intercultural Communication for Sign Language Interpreters) by Anna Mindess: “Nuts and bolts” text looks at what difficulties arise in communication due to cultural differences between American mainstreaming and American Deaf Culture. 259 pages.

Deaf Like Me by Thomas and James Spradley: Written from father of a deaf girl’s point of view. Discusses struggles deciding between sign and oralism. 285 pages.

The “Green Book” Series (A Teacher’s Resource Text on Grammar and Culture) by Charlotte Baker-Shank, Dennis Cokely: Explains in-depth the grammar and structure of ASL while also presenting a description of the deaf community in the US. 469 pages.

Signing Naturally Series by Ella Mae Lentz: Three levels of sign language studies. Provides students with cultural awareness and signing skills needed to interact effectively in the deaf community that isn’t found anywhere else.

Learning to See (Teaching ASL as a Second Language) by Sherman Wilcox, Phyllis Perrin Wilcox): Discover a way to teach ASL as a second language. Deaf perspective is included. 145 pages.

SIGN LANGUAGE STUDIES & DICTIONARIES

Religious Signing (A Comprehensive Guide for All Faiths) by Elaine Costello: Includes more than 500 clearly defined and illustrated signs. 218 pages.

A Basic Course in American Sign Language by Padden, Humphries, and O’Rourke: Features nearly 1,000 vocabulary items, illustrations, brief explanations, and examples of some basic structure of ASL. 288 pages.

ABCs of ASL Study Guide: Designed as a study guide in conjunction with above. 200 pages.

American Sign Language The Easy Way by David A. Stewart: My pick to learn grammar of ASL. 470 pages.

The American Sign Language Phrase Book by Lou Fant: The source for realistic, meaningful situations to aid in your mastery of sign language. Also has a videotape series designed to accompany the text. Book is 362 pages, Video (3 vol.), each volume 60 minutes & signed in ASL

Deaf Tend Your (Non-Manual Signs in ASL) by Byron Bridges, Melanie Metzger): Book and optional accompanying video provide information about what to do with your mouth when you’re signing ASL! Mouth morphemes are as necessary for grammar as the signs themselves. Book 67 pages, video 30 minutes, closed-captioned, ASL with English voice over.

From Mime to Sign by Gilbert C. Eastman: Over 1,000 photographs illustrate how everyday natural gestures, mime, and facial expressions can become the basis for learning sign language. Book 183 pages, also available are three videotapes signed in ASL, voiced.

Conversational Sign Language II (An Intermediate Advanced Manual) by Willard Madson: Learn the ASL equivalents of English words, the interpretation of 220 English idioms and over 300 ASL idioms and conversational colloquialisms. Slightly outdated, but still helpful. 218 pages.

Intermediate Conversational Sign Language by Willard J. Madson: Unique approach to using ASL and English in a bilingual setting. Definitely for more advanced students and challenging. One of my facorites. 377 pages.

Sign Language Crash Course I & II  by Linda Lee Massoud: Designed for community education, self-study, and “Enrichment” sign language classes. Vocabulary has been chosen to give maximum communications ability in the shortest period of time. Uses ASL and PSE. Each course is a book and video set. Course I  book is 115 pages, video is 138 minutes, signed in ASL, no audio. Course II book is 148 pages, video is 90 minutes, signing in ASL, no audio.

Numbering in American Sign Language by  Cinnie MacDougall: Books starts with review of the basics, then learn more complex number signs, including Money, Finances, Age, Sports, Measurements, and Scientific Numbers. Over 1,000 illustrations. Great for intermediate or advanced sign students. 95 pages. Also offered is a video that corresponds with the book, 90 minutes, voiced, closed captioned, signed in ASL.

The American Sign Language Dictionary by Martin Sternberg: This comes as either abridged (500 signs, 1500 illustrations, 772 pages) or unabridged (approx. 7,000 signs, 15,000 illustrations) and is one of the best references for sign language.

Random House Webster’s American Sign Language Dictionary by Elaine Costello: With over 5600 entries in the hard cover version and 4500 entries in the soft cover, this is a comprehensive dictionary.

The Pocket Dictionary of Signing by Rod R. Butterworth, Mickey Flodin: A simple, convenient pocket guide to ASL. More than 600 entries. A pocket version of the dictionary below. 223 pages.

Perigee Visual Dictionary of Signing by Rod R. Butterworth, Mickey Flodin: A to Z guide to ASL vocabulary. Very clear pictures and one of my favorites. 478 pages.

Signing Illustrated by Mickey Flodin: The exact same book as Perigee Visual Dictionary of Signing, with 1350 basic signs. Instead of alphabetical order, the signs are categorized. 285 pages.

The Joy of Signing by Lottie L. Rickehof: One of the oldest and most popular dictionaries. Outdated. 352 pages.

The American Sign Language Handshape Dictionary by Richard A. Tennant, Marianne Gluszak Brown: Organized by handshapes used in forming signs. Highly recommend. 407 pages.

Locating Sign Language Classes

There are many sign language classes being offered throughout the country. Unfortunately it is not possible to keep up-to-date records of all locations. I recommend that you contact the following resources in your community to learn about the possibilities of classes offered in your area. These are some of the places most likely either to offer classes or to have information about them.

• Center for Independent Living (ask for dept for deaf and HOH)
• Community Colleges/Universities
• Libraries (some libraries are clearing houses for community activities)
• Adult Education/Continuing Education Programs
• Vocational Rehabilitation Services (most states have a coordinator of services for deaf/hard of hearing people)
• Recreation and Community Centers (YWCA, YMCA)
• State and County Department of Public Instruction, Education, or Special Education
• Religious Affiliated Organizations
• State Schools for Deaf Children
• Interpreters for deaf people
• Deafness-Related Organizations/Groups
• State Offices/Commissions for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people

Another source is the reference issue of the American Annals of the Deaf, published each April. The Annals includes a comprehensive list of services and educational programs for deaf and hard of hearing people. These schools and programs would be a good source for questions about sign language classes. Check your library for a copy or write to:

American Annals of the Deaf
Fowler Hall 409
800 Florida Ave NE, Washington DC
For online access for American Annals: http://gupress.gallaudet.edu/annals/