Your Needs

FOR COMMENTS DIRECTED TO YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS, FIND THE QUESTION BELOW THAT BEST APPLIES TO YOU:

SO... YOU HAVE A DEAF PERSON IN THE FAMILY?

Helen Keller once said that she would rather be blind than deaf. She explained that blindness cuts you off from things while deafness cuts you off from people. Congratulations in your desire to reach out and make contact with your Deaf relative. The signing skills you acquire in this program, as well as the insights you acquire, will enable you to foster a deeper relationship between you, thus enlarging both your world and his (or hers.)

SO... YOUR CO-WORKER IS DEAF?

Work projects proceed more smoothly when we can sign meaningfully with our Deaf co- workers. Writing notes is time consuming and struggling with gestures and/or repeating several times with exaggerated mouth movements can be frustrating to everyone involved. This course will equip you with communication skills that can foster smooth interaction and clear understanding and, with time saved, create a more productive workplace.

SO... YOU EMPLOY A DEAF PERSON OR PERSONS?

Employers have legal obligations to their Deaf and hard-of-hearing employees, obligations specified in the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. Equal access to communication is the byword. This course will equip you to converse effectively with your hearing impaired employees and thus foster understanding and cooperation in work-related and personal issues while conforming to the law.

SO... YOU ARE A CHURCH WORKER IN DEAF MINISTRY?

This course will equip you to include Deaf persons in the life of your church and to discuss spiritual matters effectively. The last five chapters of the textbook and the last ten sessions of the Instructor's Guide are geared to a church setting. Included are some challenging activities on interpreting theological concepts and vocabulary in sermons and scripture, and examination of other interpreting issues.

SO... YOU ARE IN BUSINESS AND WANT TO REACH DEAF PEOPLE?

Ease of communication is high priority in the Deaf world. Once Deaf people are drawn to your business, they will be pleasantly surprised to discover that you can communicate with them through signing. Typically, they will not only return but will refer their Deaf friends to you. If you take a class where the Instructor's Guide is used, you will learn how to target and reach a previously "invisible" market.

SO... YOU HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO LEARN SIGN LANGUAGE?

Now is the time to step out and do so - the quick and easy way. Before you know it, you will discover that you can use your signing skills to make contact with those who are Deaf and experience the exhilaration of communicating visually! If you are in a class using the Instructor's Guide, your teacher will introduce you to such topics as "Deaf Culture", "History of the Deaf", and "Technology and Deafness".

SO... YOU ARE HARD-OF-HEARING, OR LIVE WITH A HARD-OF-HEARING PERSON?

The optional closed captioning on the Practice Video provides printed text of the words spoken, text that appears at the bottom of the screen. Using your signing will enable you to enjoy conversing without undue misunderstanding. It is recommended that you take this course with your spouse or a close friend; signing needs to be understood and reciprocated by at least one other person.

SO... YOU ARE TEACHING YOUR OFFSPRING AT HOME?

These materials target ages 10+, but can be adapted to a younger child who is mature. With the Instructor‘s Kit and Practice Video, spark your child‘s studies one-on-one or in a cooperative group. Two hours per week completes the book in a typical school year. A signer can pursue a profession in sign language interpreting or be an asset in any employ.

SO… YOU TEACH A CLASS HAVING ONE OR MORE DEAF STUDENTS?

The best teachers are lifelong learners! Equip yourself and your class with basic signing skills and enjoy the fruit of your effort in a class atmosphere that reflects true "inclusion". Enlarge perspectives with the deafness-related resources provided in the Instructor's Kit, i.e., sign language interpreting. The positive results will surely amaze you!

SO… YOU CAN SIGN AND WANT TO TRY TEACHING A CLASS?

If you are willing to learn and are motivated to teach, success is in the offing with these materials. The textbook and Practice Video foster easy sign acquisition such that your role is as the catalyst to student learning. Simply follow the lesson plans provided in the Instructor's Guide. No need to prepare student worksheets and tests, to research information, to plan class learning activities. All this has been done for you. So, step out in confidence!

SO… YOU WOULD LIKE TO BECOME A SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER?

Sign language interpreting is an exciting new profession and the demand for sign language interpreters is growing by leaps and bounds. To become a qualified interpreter, one must first master a large sign vocabulary, be able to sign fluently and be adept at understanding the signing of Deaf people. The extensive number of signs introduced in this course comprise a formidable sign vocabulary base and a strong impetus toward your goal.

SO… YOU ARE DEAF BUT HAVE NEVER LEARNED TO SIGN?

The closed captioning on the Practice Video is for you! Using these materials, you can learn to sign and will enjoy communicating with other signers. You can enrich and expand your social life by attending meetings and functions at the local club of the Deaf. You can form new friendships. And your hearing family members can enjoy learning to sign with you!

SO… YOU ARE DEAF AND WOULD LIKE TO TEACH OTHERS TO SIGN?

The closed captioned Practice Video and the Instructor's Kit will provide everything you need to teach a class in signing PSE. (ASL signs in English word order). It would be wonderful for the students to have a Deaf teacher who can add personal experience and information to the lessons.