American Sign Language Instruction

Programs that teach individuals with hearing impairments and others who have an interest to communicate using American Sign Language (ASL), a visual/manual communication system with its own syntax and vocabulary. ASL uses a combination of hand and body movements to represent words, ideas, objects, actions and other concepts; and is recognized as a true language in its own right. It is used extensively in the deaf community and is taught as the person's primary language with English as a second language. Also included are programs that teach preverbal infants and toddlers to use ASL as a way of communicating their needs.