Beginner ASL for School Personnel

Description

This eight-week online class is for school personnel who have little or no American Sign Language (ASL) skills and support students in Michigan who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH). The class will focus on the basics of ASL, including signs for everyday use. SCECHs are pending.

This class typically has a wait list. Please ensure your schedule allows you to attend all sessions before registering.

Audience

This class is for school personnel in Michigan who have little or no American Sign Language (ASL) skills and support students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

Presenter

Christian Young is an adjunct ASL instructor who earned his bachelor degree in applied arts and sciences with a focus on communication and economics from Rochester Institute of Technology. After graduating, Young began working as a full-time senior programs director at Holley Institute, which operates the Carls Family Village. In 2016, Young began working with the Deaf Professional Arts Network (DPAN) team to create accessible online content. At the time, he also worked as a team member for a virtual ASL immersion platform called SignOn. In 2018 and 2020, Young taught as a long-term substitute teacher at the Michigan School for the Deaf.

Required Technology

This class will be conducted online via Zoom; participants do not need to have Zoom, but they must have internet access and a computer with a camera. (Tablets and smartphones are not conducive to learning the content of this class.) Instructions will be provided beforehand on how to access the class. Please review Zoom Tips and Shortcuts for Participants [PDF] before the class begins.

Online Event Expectations

Participants are expected to be respectful and courteous to others during this class. MDE-LIO reserves the right to mute, turn off video, and/or remove participants who do not adhere to this expectation.

Groups

Attendees must also be able to log into and participate in this class individually; it is not conducive to group participation.

Accommodations

It is important for participants to request accommodations at least three weeks prior to the online event. Outside agencies MDE-LIO contracts with to provide accommodations cannot guarantee services if requests are made in less than three weeks.

Cancellation Policy

Please email [email protected] as soon as possible if you need to cancel your registration. Please note: For events that require payment, MDE-LIO will issue refunds only for cancellations received no less than three business days prior to the event.​