Introducing ASLDeafined.com!
Hello everyone!
I was notified with this awesome website, even better than ASLPro.com! This website is called ASLDeafined.com, and that website believes educating the community one sign at a time.
This website is a brainchild of two sign language interpreters, Paul Fugate and Mercy Gonzalez.
According to the website source, Fugate is a nationally certified interpreter working with deaf children for the last 15 years along with Gonzalez who also a nationally certified interpreter working with deaf children for 14 years too.
Paul is passionate about his teaching opportunities, and possesses the desire to help all students to learn at their maximum potential. Mercy is a trilingual interpreter, specializing in American Sign Language, English, and Spanish. She is a very dedicated professional who strives daily to bridge the gap between Spanish and English individuals who are deaf. (See “About Us” page.)
It is a subscription-based website. You sign up and pay for the monthly subscription. Then you will have a full access to the ASL lessons online. These lessons are designed for three different groups.
1. Deaf Students
2. Parents with Deaf Children
3. Community at Large.
I checked the sample lesson plan designed for the Parents for Deaf Children, and I am surprised how this website made it so easy to learn and accessible for the parents! Here’s the snapshot of this page below.
I also clicked the part called : Choose the Correct Sentence, which comes with a multiple choice preview activity. It has a video of either Paul or Mercy signing a phrase, and a viewer will have to click for the correct English translation of the video. Check out the snapshot below.
Please go and visit this website: ASLDeafined.com and spread the word!
That is the most excellent ASL marketing I’ve ever seen! We need more websites like this, and the parents will have more choices!
Other ASL-based websites are available online, and most are vocabulary-based. For example: ASLPro.com
There are not many phrase-based ASL websites like ASLDeafined.com. We do need a Berlitz-type language immersion program online focusing on American Sign Language, designed for Deaf students, Parents of Deaf children and the community at large. Go and check: www.berlitzonline.com
Hurry up and let us use the unlimited power of the Internet to teach ASL!
Best,
Amy Cohen Efron
April 21st, 2009 at 8:22 pm
That’s quite an addition to the rapidly growing preponderance of “enterprising” ASL / sign language Websites. I wonder what the Berlitz corporate folks, which I’m sure is very interested in the bottom line (justification) make of the long ongoing deaf spats laden with hypocrisy and ironies. Just imagine them seeing how small and splintered our numbers are nowadays. WIll they factor in quickly emerging (Cochlear Implants are soon obsolete) technologies cutting in the deaf numbers?
April 21st, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Cool! {seesmic_video:{“url_thumbnail”:{“value”:”http://t.seesmic.com/thumbnail/Xu4o1ESgYb_th1.jpg”}”title”:{“value”:”Cool! ”}”videoUri”:{“value”:”http://www.seesmic.com/video/2yy87UsK7m”}}}
April 21st, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Totally awesome! I could immediately envision Deaf people making their own ASL websites and adding their own unique takes such as local signs, sign stories, stories of growing up Deaf, and newsbits from the Deaf community. Hope this happens and we have an explosion of options to choose from!
What would be especially valuable is a child website showing examples of childrens’ ASL and translations for other children and parents.
April 21st, 2009 at 9:50 pm
On one hand, I’m glad to see websites like this. It’s definitely needed!
On the other hand, I’m irritated by the fact that it’s two interpreters who did this. Why is the Deaf Community NOT doing this kind of thing? ASL is *our* language.
Hearing people are making a major profit off us and our language. I say it’s high time for us to get off our rears and fight fire with fire. Let us set up similar businesses and organizations.
We need to start valuing ourselves and our contributions, which means charging $$. It’s only way we’ll be able to get to the next level.
April 22nd, 2009 at 1:07 am
ASLdeafined great for hearing people who want learn ASL. But they have to pay every month fee.
ASLPro.com are great too and plus it free with no cost.
I prefer ASLpro because it free service and good service too. ASLdeafined have cool quiz, question, play game with match video, many nice feature than ASLpro. ASLdeafined, people have to pay the price for full service.
If hearing people ask me which one should they take ASLpro or ASLdeafined? I will tell them it up to them. If they have money then I will suggest them go to ASLdeafined and ASLpro. If they are broke, no money then go to ASLpro.
I like both service, that my point of view. Thank for let us know about this. That show us that ASL is key to our education! Keep ASL live!!
April 22nd, 2009 at 5:45 am
I agree with A Deaf Pundit 100 percent! We need to see more businesses BY Deaf people.
April 22nd, 2009 at 6:38 am
There’s nothing that is stopping Deaf people from developing websites such as these. With one caveat: just because you simply use ASL doesn’t necessarily mean you are qualified to teach the language. This is a common misunderstanding- there has to be first a great understanding of teaching methods and applying them in the appropriate way to the language of ASL.
It’s far more difficult than most think it is and interpreters have already took these learning classes so they are a bit ahead in the game when it comes to teaching ASL.
April 22nd, 2009 at 7:00 am
Echoing the sentiments of Deaf Pundit and Candace. Like the Maori say, “By Maori, With Maori, For Maori”. I try my best to support Deaf-owned/Deaf-run businesses. That’s a thought – we should have a website with a list of all Deaf-owned/Deaf-run businesses so if I need something I can check the list and see if there’s a Deaf business that can meet that need. Hmm. Anyone out there with some time on their hands?
April 22nd, 2009 at 7:26 am
There is 100% deaf-run business. It’s called CyberASL Network. I think it’s under Deaf Asia Foundation from Southern CA. It has more high-tech ends and amazing program online. Teachers can customize it as they want to, more interactive features. ASLpro, ASLdeafined.com, others don’t have this kind of tech.
Peace!
Johnny
April 22nd, 2009 at 7:29 am
Pls visit at http://www.cyberasl.com
Thanks.
Johnny
April 22nd, 2009 at 7:33 am
Hi Johnny,
I did a quick review of this website, and it comes with *some* broken links and it has so much potential! Please inform people at CyberASL.com to work on broken links and adding bit more information.
Also, this CyberASL is designed for college students. We need a website that is for DEAF students and parents with Deaf children/toddlers. I tried to play the demo and it needs some tweaking. Also, this is limited to college students in California. What are your plans to expand this website to make it more user friendly and accessible to a larger community? It charges $20 dollars per year to subscribe. It has so much potential, and it needs to be expanded.
Thank you so much for sharing this link with all of us!
Amy
April 22nd, 2009 at 7:44 am
Yes, I agree with you Jared.
We are ASL users, and there are an increasing number of ASL teachers (elementary, secondary and college-level), and a handful of computer programmers, public relations, writers, and business administrators. It does not have to be a non-profit organization, and it can be a business venture itself. There is an increasing demand of online tutoring programs in ASL too.
It is a collaborative work, and not necessarily one person’s job. We do need investors in this area, and a group of very talented people work together with a very clear mission to create a highest quality product that is easy to use and accessible to anyone across the America (including some parts of Canada).
It is an idea – perhaps develop a collaboration with companies specializing in baby signs, and expand it from there.
I mean it, there are tons out there – unpolished gems out online worth searching and reviewing.
Amy Cohen Efron
April 22nd, 2009 at 8:03 am
I agree with Candace A McCullough
The Deaf community needs much more Deaf business just like other culture to help the community, just like Black Culture, Gay Culture, Jewish Culture etc. The culture that have a lot of business have a lot of clout to be heard towards the Federal government, Congress, State government, etc to improve self-esteems for those people.
Look how most of the decisions are made for the Deaf Community today and who are these people. WE, the Deaf community needs to be heard LOUDLY that paternalism needs to stop and NAD needs to be stronger and rectify all the problems causing the Deaf community as of what it is today.
It is time to SPEAK up and be STRONG.
John Egbert
April 22nd, 2009 at 8:03 am
Wonderful. I will send your posting to Kim, since she LOVES learning about ASL.
)
April 22nd, 2009 at 9:55 am
I must admit to support John, Candace, and
The Deaf Pundit’s concern about hearing interpreters/translitators running our ASL businesses or ASL instruction.
For instance, a person who runs an ASL interpreting and ASL instruction business, is a transliterator with minimal ASL (receptive and expressive) skills, how do you feel about her doing this kind of business with us?
I also wonder how do Deaf people feel about their interpreters’ dual jobs as interpreters and ASL entrepreneurs?
What do you think?
April 22nd, 2009 at 10:18 am
I agreed with Deaf Pundit, Candance McCullough and John Egbert.
It is great to have website about ASL as education purpose. However why ASL Interpreters set up the ASL website instead of Deaf people who tried to set up their own business under Small Business for Disabilites by Fedreal laws.
If two ASL interpreters knows about Deaf Culture and Deaf History then it will be fine. If not… Just for profit purposes?
Deaf and HH Community deserves to accomplishes their own businesses about ASL, Cued, Oral and PSE, Deaf Culture, Deaf History, CI, Job Search Service etc etc.. Instead of hearing people runs deaf services like VR and other Deaf and HH services did not accomplishes for decades. Look at VR, they are lack of supportive with Deaf and hH for years over different kinf of resources such as job search etc etc.
Wake up! Our government are mulling to cut the Deaf services in some of States as unecessary “Target” over economy crises. Is that okay Hearing people takes over ASL and other deaf services businesses and force Deaf and HH to earn SSD or SSI and do nothing for rest of our life? Why we born in earth in first place?
Cheers
April 22nd, 2009 at 10:58 am
CHEERS for Deaf Pundit, Candace A McCullough, Raychelle Harris, John Egbert, Kim Hungerford Carwile, and Charles the Rogue for saying NO to businesses run by hearing people and saying YES to businesses run BY DEAF PEOPLE.
susan
April 22nd, 2009 at 11:13 am
Everyone,
As I stated on my blog, ” We need more websites like this, and the parents will have more choices… Hurry up and let us use the unlimited power of the Internet to teach ASL!”
Each of us tried to set up a business venture to promote American Sign Language, and there is a great need for more. We need to look closely at marketing ASL to a larger public, like I’ve blogged about Sonic’s ASL deck of cards previously, and Public Service Announcements in China. Time is of essence to promote American Sign Language.
I am surprised by the quality of the website, ASLDeafined.com and that is something we can look into this, and how can we improve this from there?
Amy Cohen Efron
April 22nd, 2009 at 11:19 am
I want to thank everyone for their comments. I am a teacher for the deaf, and also an interpreter. I have been in the field of deafness for over 15 years. I have been teaching deaf students at a middle school for over 6 years. I have seen so many parents with deaf children not learning how to sign. I have seen deaf students not getting the signing support he or she needs either. After seeing what is out there, my partner and I decided to set up ASLdeafined.com.
If you have never set up a website before, it costs lots of money. Now, we did not get any money from investors, grants, or such. We invested our own money to develop a website that parents of deaf children, deaf students, and the learning community can use. This is not a website for deaf adults, per se.
No one is stopping anyone from setting up a website. The whole purpose of ASLdeafined being set up is to help students that are deaf, parents of deaf students, and the learning community to learn American Sign Language. We are trying to help deaf people learn and read English. For parents of deaf children learn to communicate with their sons and daughters, and for anyone to learn.
Together, we can help eliminate the communication barrier between the deaf and hearing. For some of you that commented on setting up a website, go for it. No one is stopping you. My partner and I had to do something and not be part of the talk and no action group.
April 22nd, 2009 at 11:38 am
I think more of us need to study ASL, and connect with other Deaf who specialize in business or nonprofits, and others who specialize in web design.
We need to broaden our areas of expertise, and connect with each other… then we can set up these businesses for ourselves.
April 22nd, 2009 at 11:39 am
Hi Paul!
Your coming to the blog and leaving a comment means a lot to me! Your words of encouragement really inspired me as a person, and I hope the community feels inspired that it is a wonderful opportunity to use the Internet to educate American Sign Language to the community who truly needs this service.
I am impressed that you set it up from your own money! I did that myself with the Greatest Irony video, and it costs a lot of money too. I just know.
Also your website had inspired me to do a further research on other ASL instruction online, and I found SEVERAL!
Thank you so much
Amy Cohen Efron
April 22nd, 2009 at 11:54 am
Paul,
Nice to meet you and shared with ius about your point of views…
Can you explain to us “This is not a website for deaf adult, per se?”
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Clarifying a comment I made about ASLdeafined not being for deaf adults. ASLdeafined was created to support deaf students (elementary, middle school, and high school) in their development of English and sign language. It is also for hearing parents to help them develop their sign language skills. And for other hearing people to learn to communicate with their family, co-workers, clients, customers, patients…
Nice to meet you too Charles the Rogue
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Paul,
Thank you for sharing your experience as an interpreter and teacher for the Deaf. I know you and us have seen many parents with Deaf children not learning how to communicate using ASL. How about their siblings? That is what I am doing for my thesis on Deaf-hearing siblings and art therapy.
We would love to see that you make some recommendations to hearing parents that they need to take and learn ASL from professors/instructors who are Deaf with strong formal training of ASL instruction and ASLTA certification.
Thanks,
Kim
April 22nd, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Thanks! Glad you are motivate to teach Hearing parents to learn ASL to communicate with Deaf children from personal to education life.
April 22nd, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Hello Kim,
Neither my partner or I are replacing formal training in American Sign Language. We are advocating the use of sign language for parents of deaf children. Right now, parents are struggling with learning sign language. Some of the reasoning is because of the lack of time, cannot afford a class, no babysitter…
The internet is an awesome way to reach out to many people. At ASLdeafined, we are trying to help parents with deaf children learn to sign, deaf students to improve their English and ASL skills, and for the community to learn to sign.
I hope everyone on this blog takes a look at http://WWW.ASLdeafined.com . Check out the “About Us” page to understand our backgrounds and experiences.
Something has to be done to help bridge the gap between the deaf and hearing worlds. We can no longer sit back and expect that communication is going to happen between a deaf child and his or her parent.
April 22nd, 2009 at 2:55 pm
While I appreciate Paul coming to leave comments, I would like to ask Paul to explain his plans to include Deaf instructors or employees in his new business. It does not matter if it is not for Deaf adults. Hearing parents, students, and other people need to learn or work with Deaf people.
Paul and his partner will make PROFIT off their business and it is important for us to ask him HOW he plans to use his profits. Does he give it back to the Deaf community? If not, do not use recommend his business.
Let Paul’s business motivate other Deaf people to do something even better and there are Deaf people who will encourage hearing parents or students to support Deaf businesses.
I second all of Deaf Pundit’s comments. That should motivate more Deaf people to study ASL and things related to our community rather than letting hearing people do it.
April 22nd, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Hello. My mother was deaf. Six of her children are profoundly deaf. I am one of two who are hearing. All of our lives, we wrote notes back and forth, totally ignorant of sign language. Yelling was normal around the dinner table, but did NO good. My mom is gone now and one deaf brother. But for the rest of us, we have learned of ASLdeafined and have all subscribed. At our family reunion this July, communicating will be so different as those of us who are hearing, along with our children, will be able to communicate so much easier. Where was this web site 20 years ago? Already I am communicating with deaf nieces and nephews, and many deaf friends. Finally, there is HELP for us hearing people to bridge the gap the web site talks about. Thank you.
April 22nd, 2009 at 3:44 pm
i think the website was a great idea and now there are a lot of parents that have deaf children can communciate with them. The way kids play music so loud anymore they will be deaf before long and will need to learn sifn language.
April 22nd, 2009 at 4:08 pm
I suppose I should clarify why I’m so irritated about this. I am not irritated at Paul and his partner personally.
It’s just that the Deaf Community should be doing this. And we’re not. Paul does bring up a good point: Nothing is stopping us from doing this ourselves.
So why aren’t we doing this? That is what irritates me. If hearing people are making a profit off our language… then so should we.
April 22nd, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Susan,
Thank you for your questions and comments. Mercy and I would have loved to have deaf people record videos for ASLdeafined. However, after spending thousands and thousands of dollars on the website, we had no money to pay anyone deaf to help record videos.
However, as soon as we do have money, we are hoping to employee deaf people to exchange all of our videos for their videos. We do envision a staff of deaf people to further develop ASLdeafined….
It is important to know that for the last 15 years, I have given my time and talents to the Deaf community, volunteering endless number of hours for appointments and so forth. My partner and I are hoping to keep ASLdeafined going, not by making a profit, but keeping our site fresh and updated.
To this day, Mercy and I continuously give to the deaf community. For the past 8 months, we have designed a website, paid thousands of dollars, and have not gotten paid for anything. We will always be supporters for the deaf community.
We hope people will pass the word around about http://www.ASLdeafined.com. We definitely appreciate it.
April 22nd, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Paul and Mercy started on September 11, 2008 with an idea on a scrap of paper and have spent months working after school, on weekends, and on vacation time and used their own money developing ASLdeafined.com to help teach ASL. Paul even gave up winter break in Florida this year because he is so dedicated to making this site the best there is out there. Paul says his middle school students don’t like to go home on weekends and are not into school vacations because they have no one to communicate with at home. Can you believe not being able to talk to your Mom and Dad because they don’t sign and you are a middle school age student?? People need to step back and realize “hearing” people care and want to help the deaf community be it students, parents of students, and the community.
April 22nd, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Hi Ed,
Thank you so much for sharing the ‘back-story’ of this amazing website! I am glad to see this website are specifically designed to deaf students and their families to communicate. That is the biggest missing link out there…. I checked at least 8 different online ASL instructions and ASLDeafined outperforms and outstands all of them!
I am definitely going to introduce ASLDeafined.com to the families this weekend for family workshops.
Many families are craving for this!
I admire the founders’ vision and passion to this special project.
Amy Cohen Efron
April 22nd, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Good afternoon,
I currently became a subscriber to ASLdeafined last week. I am a parent of a deaf child, and subscribed actually as a deaf student to both benefit my daughter as well as myself. Yes I do know how to sign, however it doesn’t hurt to practice and there’s always more to learn. My daughter is currently in a public school and in the 5th grade. I understand that ASL is and always will be her native language however I subscribed to ASLdeafined for her to improve her English grammar while writing and to help her understand while reading. There is no need for her to be behind in English comprehension with her fellow classmates when there is now a simple, easy, fun and interactive website that can both benefit us together. Nothing is more special to me than feeling like I am fully communicating with my daughter on her level and that she is learning how to communicate as well on an English level. I want to thank the two creators of this website from the bottom of my heart. I understand as well that people are very sensitive when it comes to the deaf community, who created what? Are they deaf are they interpreters? Why it is a profit ran website? The point of the matter is the purpose of this website and why they created it, the education behind it and how it’s changing the lives of millions of families around the world! As long as the benefits out way the drawbacks, then I’m all for it and frankly I don’t see one drawback here!
April 22nd, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Hello Diana,
Thank you so much for visiting my blog, and leaving a very valuable comment here. I am so thrilled to see that you find this website mutually beneficial for you and your child! Have you tried other websites and what determined you to pick ASLDeafined.com as a primary site for you to learn?
Your testimonial had convinced me that I’ll share with the families in this weekend.
Please come and visit my blog anytiime. You are always welcome.
Warmly
Amy Cohen Efron
April 22nd, 2009 at 9:20 pm
I am Hearing. I’m learning a NEW language now, called American sign Language. This language does not belong to only those who are deaf. It belongs to everyone as a tool to communicate with, just like any other language such as Spanish, French, Russian, etc., and yes, I do know both Spanish and French.
Language is the tool used to bridge the gap between 2 or more people. I have friends who just happen to be deaf, French, and Spanish. My newly acquired skill in sign language will now help in my ability to communicate with those who cannot hear the next time we play golf, or go bowling. Won’t it be a WONDERFUL day when the Deaf can sit with the Hearing and we can all communicate with each other, instead of seeing segratation like I currently see. The hearing sit over there and the deaf sit over here. Those days should come to an end, and I do hope it happens soon. A language does not belong to one special group of people. It belongs to everyone, hearing and deaf alike, or those who are French, Spanish, Italian, or any other language. Learn it, and open the doors to communication with a whole new class of wonderful people. Language IS a bridge, and it belongs to everyone.
April 22nd, 2009 at 9:49 pm
This is a great gathering place Amy…
Bless those hearts like Paul and Mercy, why wait for someone else to do something, they are doing it from the goods of their hearts..
Don’t get me wrong, the deaf community do have alot of potential to do the same work line but always something like rather someone else do it sort of thing…
April 22nd, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Hello yall,
I notice that Deaf Pundit, John Egbert, and other people that say DEAF should own business for ASL program not other people that who not deaf. And feel that hearing people make profit from deaf community’s language.
Hearing people own (ASLpro, ASLdeafined, ect…) They not waiting on Deaf people to run the business. They love and passion of ASL, they want hearing parent that have deaf baby/child to know what ASL and ASL is important to deaf community.
Time is now! No more waiting!!! They got to show what ASL really was. The truth of ASL is our — deaf’s language. They love deaf community so they go ahead set up and run business for ASL program.
They will be happy if Deaf set up own business for ASL program. They will proud to other deaf business owner. WHY??? They have one big goal together is to teach the ASL. That it.
So, I ask Deaf Pundit, John Egbert, and other. What you wait for?? Go ahead set up to own business for ASL program?? Why not??
I don’t reject Hearing people that own business of ASL program. They help us to spread word about ASL! They do really help us lot! I proud of them!!
Yall need start to accept hearing people that want to set up to EDUCATION about ASL to parent/deaf child. They not waiting for DEAF people to run business.
Why don’t you go ahead set up too. What yall wait for??
April 23rd, 2009 at 7:38 am
I need to complete several things first, such as my education.
April 27th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
As a professional interpreter who has worked in schools since 1992 or ‘93 (and still does) with deaf students, I am thrilled to see the http://www.ASLdeafined.com site.
The site is VERY professionally done. The amount of time, money, love and care put into the site is evident.
If, for the site ASL: “deaf in education,” helping deaf children learn to read written english was a primary motivating factor, then hearing people would be the appropriate teachers.
(And, Yes, I believe Deaf adults should absolutely be The Teachers of ASL. I learned ASL at Vista College in Berkley, California. I was a “guinea pig” in the early classes where “Signing Naturally” was being developed by Who? Deaf Adults! THANK YOU
Ella, Cinnie, Ken and All!!!)
On their site, Mercy Gonzalez and Paul Fugate state their reason for the site is:
“Eliminating the communication barrier between the deaf and hearing one person at a time.”
The power of the internet and a site likes theirs puts this in reach. I am grateful to them for, as Paul said on April 22: (they had to) “not be part of the talk and no action group.”
Thanks for taking action. You have done a great job – so far! As Ecnarb said on April 21, “Good start!”
April 27th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Christina,
Thank you for the kind words. Your support means the world to Mercy and I. I have been working in education for a long time and not seeing much action….Mercy and I had to do something. We wanted to be part of the solution. With ASLdeafined, we can do just that. We should not be pointing fingers on who should do what. If we do, we can also point blame too, right? I want to make ASLdeafined a positive resource for deaf students, parents of deaf children, and the learning community. With the support from people like yourself, we can do just that. Again, thank YOU for your kind words.
Paul Fugate – ASLdeafined
April 27th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
My mom was deaf. As a young lad, I watched in horror over the treatment she received from store clerks who treated her with utter rudeness and disdain because she couldn’t communicate with them. Deaf people can’t hear by snapping their fingers, but hearing people CAN communicate with deaf if they know some sign langauge. They don’t have to be experts, but they can learn enough to help the deaf in retail sales, or whatever field the hearing people work in. Our family never learned sign language so we passed paper and pencil at all times. Mom is gone now and I know some sign language, but too late to communicate with her. As a hearing person, I thank you for this web site, and for every minute you have sacrificed to build the bridge between deaf-hearing. My mom didn’t know sign language either. How could my family have been so ignorant, and how dare we hearing people treat the deaf as if they are not important. Never again!! God Bless ASL and ASLdeafined. Apparently Paul and Mercy feel the same way about this that I do. Love, Tom
April 27th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Thanks Tom. Mercy and I do have strong feelings about helping EVERYONE to communicate. There is enough negative in the world without putting something positive down. Thanks for your words. Sorry to hear about your family not knowing sign language. It is a beautiful language. One that needs to be learned by all.
All the Best,
Paul