Sign Language
Sign language is core to the mission of total language accessibility. These links are provided to assist you in finding ways to improve your signing skills. Organizations listed are not necessarily endorsed by KSD. You can also look at the Resources page.Learning Resources
This list is expected to change with updates- American Sign Language Classes
- Greater Kansas City Area:
- Olathe Parks and Recreation
Phone: 913-971-6263
Email: bclay@olatheks.org
website - Deaf Expression
Phone:(913) 268-3323
website - Johnson County Community College
Phone: (913) 469-8500 ext. 3903
enrichment
interpreting - Olathe Medical Center
Phone:(913) 791-4312
E-mail: Education@olathehealth.org
website
- Lawrence & Topeka Area:
- Washburn University
785-231-1010 - Ms. Tina Owsley
Phone: (785)-228-9276 - Lawrence Parks and Recreation
E-mail: parksrec@ci.lawrence.ks.us
website - University of Kansas Department of Special Education
Phone:(785) 864-0556
E-mail: specialeduadm@ku.edu
website - Ms. Nannette Easterling
Phone: (785) 271-9826 (Leave message)
E-mail: ice.bear@juno.com - Topeka Association for Retarded Citizens (TARC)
Phone: (785) 266-2385
- Washburn University
- KSD Lending Library
website - Dawn Sun Press
- Harris Communication
- ASL Pro - This website offers a free sign language dictionary and other valuable resources.
- Michigan State University: This website is an ASL dictionary-video browser that teaches individual signs to those wishing to learn the language.
- Baby Sign Language -This website is a collection of free resources created to teach baby sign language. The website contains a series of free tutorials, video dictionary, flash cards and wall charts.
- Resource Guide for Business Sign Language has a website for using sign in the workforce.
- Time to Sign ASL courses
- deafmd.org is a website that gives the appropriate signs and explanations of medical vocabulary and conditions. It can be helpful when trying to explain an illness or condition.
- asl.bz is a website that can help improve your number receptive skills. You can adjust the speed to slow, medium, fast or deaf speeds.
- teach-asl's sports is a website that has sports vocabulary.
- needsoutreach elementary is a website featuring Elementary level Math vocabulary.
- needsoutreach secondary is a website featuring Secondary level math vocabulary.
- RIT's Science Signs is a website featuring Science vocabulary.
- needsoutreach history is a website featuring American History vocabulary.
- needsoutreach government is a website featuring American Government vocabulary.
- Lifeprint ASL University is an online curriculum resource for American Sign Language students, instructors, interpreters, and parents of deaf children, no need to register or pay.
- Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing: Find an Interpreter
THE BASICS OF KNOWING WHEN AND HOW TO USE AN INTERPRETER
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 recognizes that people who are deaf are entitled to enjoy equal access to information. This access is outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), effective January 26, 1992. Under Title III, Section 36.303, the ADA guarantees a deaf person's right to use a qualified interpreter (also defined as an auxiliary aid) or other accommodations to receive equal benefits.
Americans with Disabilities Act, Title IIISec.36.303 Auxiliary aids and services.
(a) General. A public accommodation shall take those steps that may be necessary to ensure that no individual with a disability is excluded, denied services, segregated or otherwise treated differently than other individuals because of the absence of auxiliary aids and services, unless the public accommodation can demonstrate that taking those steps would fundamentally alter the nature of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations being offered or would result in an undue burden, i.e., significant difficulty or expense.
(b) Examples. The term "auxiliary aids and services'' includes --
(1) Qualified interpreters, note takers, computer-aided transcription services, written materials, telephone handset amplifiers, assistive listening devices, assistive listening systems, telephones compatible with hearing aids, closed caption decoders, open and closed captioning, telecommunications devices for deaf persons (TDD's), videotext displays, or other effective methods of making aurally delivered materials available to individuals with hearing impairments;(2) Qualified readers, taped texts, audio recordings, Brailled materials, large print materials, or other effective methods of making visually delivered materials available to individuals with visual impairments;(3) Acquisition or modification of equipment or devices; and(4) Other similar services and actions.(c) Effective communication. A public accommodation shall furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary to ensure effective communication with individuals with disabilities.(d) Telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD's). (1) A public accommodation that offers a customer, client, patient, or participant the opportunity to make outgoing telephone calls on more than an incidental convenience basis shall make available, upon request, a TDD for the use of an individual who has impaired hearing or a communication disorder.
(2) This part does not require a public accommodation to use a TDD for receiving or making telephone calls incident to its operations.(e) Closed caption decoders. Places of lodging that provide televisions in five or more guest rooms and hospitals that provide televisions for patient use shall provide, upon request, a means for decoding captions for use by an individual with impaired hearing.(f) Alternatives. If provision of a particular auxiliary aid or service by a public accommodation would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations being offered or in an undue burden, i.e., significant difficulty or expense, the public accommodation shall provide an alternative auxiliary aid or service, if one exists, that would not result in an alteration or such burden but would nevertheless ensure that, to the maximum extent possible, individuals with disabilities receive the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations offered by the public accommodation.
What is a Sign Language Interpreter?
The interpreters job is to sign what is said verbally, matching the deaf person's mode of communication and translates or voice into spoken English what the deaf person is signing. Some deaf or hard of hearing people are accomplished lip-readers, or may be able to voice fluently for them selves, however they often still require the services of an interpreter who supports the verbally delivered message with sign.
When and why is it appropriate to hire a sign language interpreter?
Whenever clear communication is required between Deaf and hearing people--some times more than one interpreter is required, especially if an assignment is particularly long or the information contained is very detailed. Some examples of when to hire an interpreter would include:
- Staff Meetings
- Job Training
- Religious Settings
- Educational Settings
- Social Service Appointments
- Job Interviews
- Medical/Dental Appointments, including Emergencies
- Counseling, including Mental Health
- Theatrical Performances
- Legal Appointments, including Court Room
- Critical Interviews with children or those who are language challenged
Why is it Important to Hire a Qualified Interpreter?
Qualified interpreters can deliver the translation smoothly, accurately, and impartially, adjusting to specialized terminology. Interpreters will say everything that is signed, and sign everything that is spoken. They will not add to, edit, or censor the conversation.
Do you know what "level" of an interpreter you need for your situation?
Be sure you are getting a QUALIFIED interpreter who will accurately translate your conversation.
The five levels that an interpreter student/interpreter can achieve are:
Certified
Level 5: Master: Certified
Use for all situations. Except for those working in the legal arena regardless of certification it is strongly recommended that the interperter possess a Kansas Legal Endorsement or SC:L.
Level 4: Advanced: Certified
Use for most situations. Discretion should be used based on situational factors and preference of consumer's sign language system.
Level 3: Intermediate: Certified
Use for educational settings Pre K-12 and higher education. Not recommended for legal, mental health counseling, serious medical or critical situations.
Interpreter permit
The following levels are not recognized as certified. Individuals with KQAS Level 1 and/or 2 receive an Interpreter Permit. It is strongly recommended that these individuals work as part of a team with a certified interpreter (Level 3 or higher) and continue to receive training such as mentoring.
Level 2: Apprentice
Use for one-on-one situations where communication can be interrupted easily for clarification. Limited voicing, limited platform, limited group sessions. Acceptable for job applications, orientation sessions, basic tutoring, and non-technical medical exams. Not recommended for legal, mental health, educational, serious medical or critical situations of any nature.
Level 1: Novice
Use for one-on-one situations on a non-technical basis where communication can be interrupted as needed for clarification and feedback. Limited voicing, limited ASL interpreting, stronger PSE or English transliterating. Not recommended for legal, mental health, educational, platform, medical or critical situations.
Americans With Disabilities Act
Home page for information about the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).http://www.adaproject.org/AboutUs.html
Click here http://www.srskansas.org/kcdhh/for information about the ADA as it relates to circumstances you may encounter on a daily basis.
The Kansas Commission For The Deaf And Hard Of Hearinghttp://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/enforce.htm
To read about ADA enforcement, penalties, and how to contact the ADA information line.http://www.adaproject.org/AboutUs.html
800 - 514 - 0301 (voice)
If you have any questions or need more information please contact KCDHH at 1.800.432.0698
