(Formerly NEEDS Outreach)
American Sign Language Library

Below is a list of the categories for the American Sign Language (ASL) online video. Click on one of the categories below and you will be taken to a selection of online video clips demonstrating ASL vocabulary, and in many cases, a video using the vocabulary in an ASL sentence.

These online video clips contain vocabulary that is generally going to be presented in specific academic classes in elementary school through high school. Hopefully, teachers, interpreters, parents and students will find them useful.

Click on the vocabulary word to see a video clip, then click on the video image itself to see the vocabulary used in an ASL sentence.

Having trouble with the videos? Click here

How Should I Use These Signs?
For sign language interpreters, it is recommended that if your Deaf client already has a sign they prefer you to use – use that sign. This web site is designed to make you knowledgeable of other sign options that are now being seen in the educational K-12 setting.

When interpreting in academic settings, DHH students are responsible for learning new vocabulary. In addition they need to know the concept behind the word. Simply fingerspelling the term does not ensure the DHH student will comprehend.

One good strategy to use when introducing new vocabulary is to use "word pairs" or "flagging" – fingerspell the English word and add a sign equivalent. Or sign the equivalent first and then fingerspell the English word. The word pair can be maintained the first few times, then gradually either the fingerspelled word or the sign can be dropped.

It is important for the interpreter to understand the communication and language skills of the DHH clients. Caution should be exercised when “inventing” new signs. The artificial development or creation of new signs is not encouraged because of the confusion in communication that often results.

American Sign Language Library Project

SPONSORS:
We would like to thank the following sponsors for their support with the development of the American Sign Language Library:

1) The American Sign Language Library is funded in part by a grant from the Community Technology Foundation of California (CTFC). The Community Technology Foundation of California aims to bring basic and advanced telecommunications technology to underserved communities throughout California."

2) Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc.

3) The NEA Foundation (NFIE)

4) San Diego County Office of Education, Special Education Program

5) San Diego Unified School District

6) United States Department of Education, RSA Region IX Interpreter Training Consortium for Individuals who are Deaf and Individuals who are Deaf-Blind, RSA Grant #H160A00009 and the El Camino Community College District.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:
These signs have been collected from various sources and researched for validity. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the following individuals and organizations for their contributions:

NTID Technical Sign Project:		(Biology, Math)
Mark Smeek:	NTID Interpreter	(Math)
David Bar-Tzur’s web site:	http://www.theinterpretersfriend.com	(Country, Government, U.S.History)
Washington DC, Capitol building, Staff interpreters:		(Government)
Steven Walker:	Gallaudet Deaf Interpreter	(Country)
Our Deaf Sign Models:	Lee Bradley, Sr. Jason Stewart, MA Vadja Kolombotovic, MA	(Auto Mechanics) (Biology, Mathematics, Government, U.S. History) (Country, Geography)
K-12 California Textbooks
Mainstream teachers:	Leonard Thomas, MA	(Biology)
DHH teachers:	Gary Meyers, MA Ken Schwartz, MA	(Biology, Math) (Biology, Math)
Interpreters:	Francine Hays CI & CT Doreen Barnhart Lee Bradley CI & CT Lynn Garrett Brandon Scates NAD IV Joni Dunn CT & CI Paulina Francisco CI & CT Enid Hook CT & CI Becky Kriegsman, BA Nancy Petek-Williams CSC
Deaf adults:	Jennifer Stewart Tom Dunn	(Biology) (Biology, Government, U.S. History)
Production Team:	Rick Nesbitt Paulina Francisco CT & CI Enid Hook CT & CI
Video Processing/Web Design/Comments:	Michael Pflaum
Project Coordinator /Comments/Suggestions:	Barbara Pflaum

Home

(Formerly NEEDS Outreach) American Sign Language Library

Below is a list of the categories for the American Sign Language (ASL) online video. Click on one of the categories below and you will be taken to a selection of online video clips demonstrating ASL vocabulary, and in many cases, a video using the vocabulary in an ASL sentence.

These online video clips contain vocabulary that is generally going to be presented in specific academic classes in elementary school through high school. Hopefully, teachers, interpreters, parents and students will find them useful.

Click on the vocabulary word to see a video clip, then click on the video image itself to see the vocabulary used in an ASL sentence.

(Formerly NEEDS Outreach)
American Sign Language Library