American Sign Language

I have been interested in American Sign Language (ASL) for as long as I can remember. My first real contact with the deaf was at the Lexington School for the Deaf in Queens, NY, when we swam and did some lifeguard stuff; andI had to learn how to deal with deaf kids.  My next encounter with a deaf person wasn't until years later in an NA meeting.

At the NA meeting, at only my second encounter with the deaf, a guy asked me to sponsor him.  All I could do was type and TTY, since I knew no sign language except for the alphabet, and no one wants me to spell out my whole side of any conversation. 

Then, years later, after seeing other deaf people attending NA meetings, conventions and otherwise involved in other H&I situations, the opportunity presented itself for me to attend some classes, so I signed up to see if I could learn ASL and maybe even get an ASL Interpreter License. 

For anyone interested, I have a few links to help out.  For anyone just here for some comedy relief at my expense, check out some of the videos I've downloaded from YouTube; and then uploaded here.

A Really Good ASL Video Dictionary

An ASL Video Dictionary for "Members"

A Beginners Guide to ASL

Lexington School for the Deaf - NY

Texas School for the Deaf - Austin

American School for the Deaf - Hartford, CT - Oldest Deaf School in the US

Gallaudet University - Washington DC - founded 1864; its charter signed by Lincoln

Sign Language (& related) Videos

viewing options (free downloads):
Windows Media Player        VLC Media Player        Quick Time Player         Winamp Player