D-PAN ASL Music Video: “We’re Going To Be Friends” by the White Stripes

D-PAN : Deaf Professional Arts Network

It’s everybody’s music

“D-PAN aims to make music and music culture accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing community, and to give recognition to deaf and hard of hearing artists everywhere”

http://d-pan.com

White Stripes “We’re Going To Be Friends”
Produced by D-PAN, the Deaf Professional Arts Network
American Sign Language Direction by Ronald Dans
Directed by Nicholas Hill of Lucky Airlines

video made possible by Sorenson Communications.

Makaton – Holly Jolly CHRISTMAS – SingingHandsUK

Your Deaf Child’s Superpower? Being Bilingual in ASL + English

Let’s talk about the myth that signing will “delay” English development… Spoiler: The research says the COMPLETE OPPOSITE! 🔥

Here’s What Bilingual Deaf Education Actually Does:

🎓 ACADEMIC ADVANTAGES

  • Earlier literacy skills (yes, really!)
  • Stronger reading comprehension
  • Better writing abilities
  • Higher graduation rates

Kids with strong ASL foundation transfer those language concepts to English!

🧠 COGNITIVE SUPERPOWERS

  • Enhanced executive function
  • Better problem-solving skills
  • Improved memory
  • Greater mental flexibility

Bilingual brains are literally wired differently—and it’s AMAZING.

❤️ SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL WINS

  • Strong deaf identity & cultural connection
  • Better self-esteem
  • Natural peer relationships
  • Family communication that actually FLOWS

A child who can’t communicate with their own family? That’s the real delay.

⚠️ THE TRUTH ABOUT “ORAL-ONLY” APPROACHES:

Decades of research shows restricting sign language:

  • Doesn’t guarantee better speech
  • Can cause language deprivation
  • Increases mental health risks
  • Limits access during critical language development years

Why choose one when your child can have BOTH?

💭 PARENT Q&A:

Q: “But won’t signing make them lazy about speaking?” A: Nope! Kids naturally use ALL tools available. Bilingual deaf kids often have better speech outcomes because they have a strong language foundation.

Q: “Our family doesn’t know ASL yet…” A: Perfect! Learn together! Family sign classes strengthen bonds AND language development.

📚 RESOURCES & RESEARCH:

🔬 Read the Research:

🤝 Parent & Family Support:

📖 Learn More:

  • “Language Deprivation and Deaf Mental Health” research
  • “The Benefits of Bilingualism for Deaf Children” – Journal of Deaf Studies

🙌 Bottom line: ASL + English isn’t choosing sides—it’s giving your child FULL ACCESS to language, learning, and life.

👉 PARENTS: What questions do you have about bilingual deaf education? 👉 EDUCATORS: Share your success stories below!

SAVE & SHARE with families who need to hear this! 💙

#DeafEducation #ASL #BilingualEducation #DeafChildren #SignLanguage #DeafCulture #ParentingDeafKids #LanguageDevelopment #DeafAwareness #InclusiveEducation #EarlyInterventionRetry

“Your Deaf Child Is Waiting for YOU to Meet Them Where They Are 💙”

💔 “My child and I can’t communicate…”

This breaks my heart every time I hear it. But here’s the good news: connection doesn’t require perfect signing. It requires EFFORT.

🏠 5 tips to connect with your deaf child TODAY:

1️⃣ GET ON THEIR LEVEL (literally) Sit, kneel, or get down to their eye level. Face-to-face communication is EVERYTHING. Your child needs to see your face, expressions, and hands.

2️⃣ MAKE YOUR HOME VISUALLY FRIENDLY

  • Use visual timers instead of verbal countdowns
  • Install doorbell lights & vibrating alerts
  • Add captions to family movie nights
  • Use gesture + pointing until you learn more signs

3️⃣ LEARN SIGN LANGUAGE TOGETHER You don’t need to be fluent tomorrow! Start with: ✨ 5 signs this week (more, help, eat, drink, love) ✨ Sign during routine activities (bath time, meals) ✨ Make it FUN—sign to music, play sign language games ✨ Let your child TEACH you—it empowers them!

4️⃣ STOP REPEATING—START SHOWING If they don’t understand, don’t just say it louder or repeat 10 times. SHOW them. Use objects, pictures, gestures, or write it down.

5️⃣ INCLUDE THEM IN CONVERSATIONS Don’t talk “around” your child. If family is chatting, summarize in sign. If they’re excluded from dinner table talk, you’re missing precious bonding time.

👉 Real talk: The biggest barrier isn’t your child’s hearing—it’s the communication gap WE create when we don’t adapt.

Your child is watching. They’re learning. They’re waiting for YOU to meet them where they are. And when you do? Magic happens. 💙

Drop a ❤️ if you’re committed to learning sign language with your child!

What’s ONE thing you’ll try this week? Tell me below! 👇

💬 SAVE THIS POST and come back when you need a reminder!

#DeafKids #ASL #SignLanguage #DeafFamily #ParentingDeafChildren #LearnASL #DeafCommunity #HardOfHearing #InclusiveParenting #DeafAwareness #FamilyASL #DeafChildren #VisualCommunication #DeafCulture #BilingualKids #DeafEducation

“But my baby passed the newborn hearing test…”

Here’s what many parents don’t know: hearing can change as your child grows.

EARLY SIGNS your child might be deaf or hard of hearing:

🔹 0-3 months: Doesn’t startle at loud sounds or turn toward your voice

🔹 4-8 months: Not babbling or responding to their name by 6 months

🔹 9-12 months: No response to sounds behind them, limited sound experimentation

🔹 12-24 months: Not saying single words by 15 months, watching your face intensely while you talk, turning up TV/devices very loud

Here’s the truth: Early identification changes EVERYTHING. The earlier you know, the earlier your child can access language—whether that’s sign language, spoken language, or both.

What to do: ✅ Trust your instincts—you know your child best ✅ Ask your pediatrician for a hearing evaluation (not just a screening) ✅ Connect with an audiologist who specializes in pediatrics ✅ Know that deaf/HoH kids thrive with early support!

Remember: A diagnosis isn’t a tragedy—it’s information. And information is power. Your child’s journey starts here. 💙

#DeafKids #HardOfHearing #DeafAwareness #EarlyIntervention #ParentingTips #ASL #HearingLoss #DeafCommunity #PediatricAudiology #DeafChildren #InclusiveParenting #SignLanguage

Fight for Education Equity for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children | Jeffrey S. Bravin | TEDxNewHaven

In this talk, the speaker provides a deep and personal exploration of their experience as a fourth-generation Deaf individual, elucidating their educational journey, professional roles in Deaf education, and their perspective on critical considerations within Deaf culture and technology. The speaker critically examines the concept of the “Least Restrictive Environment” (LRE) as stipulated under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), emphasizing the importance of meeting a student’s unique language needs, social/emotional needs, communication preferences, and opportunities for direct peer and teacher interactions. They advocate for a more appropriate interpretation of LRE, asserting that specialized schools for the Deaf offer a language-rich environment that best meets the diverse needs of D/deaf and hard-of-hearing students and reduces feelings of isolation, thus enhancing overall educational outcomes. Jeffrey S. Bravin is the Executive Director of the American School for the Deaf (ASD) in West Hartford, CT. Since joining ASD in 2002, he has been instrumental in overseeing the school’s operations, including educational development, admissions, finance, faculty development, and public relations. Mr. Bravin previously served as the Assistant Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer and played a key role in the construction of ASD’s state-of-the-art educational facility. He brings a wealth of experience from his tenure at the Lexington School for the Deaf and holds multiple degrees in government, deaf education, and school administration. Currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Education Leadership, Mr. Bravin actively contributes to advisory boards and councils related to disability services and educational administration for the deaf community. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.

Learn Sign Language with Gecko’s Garage! | Gecko Is Frozen | YouTube – MyGo! ASL for Kids

Gecko’s Garage is an animated edutainment series designed for curious minds aged 2 to 5. Dive into a colorful world teeming with friendly vehicles, helpful robots, and the brilliant mechanic, Gecko. As kids learn about different vehicles, they also explore essential concepts like colors, shapes, and numbers, fostering basic cognitive development in a delightful and engaging way.

Guns and Ships in ASL | YouTube – ASL Theatre

This is an ASL interpretation, student project of select songs from “Hamilton.”

We hope you can appreciate the sincere love and countless hours these kids and their instructor have put in, to both honor Mr. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s beautiful passion project as well as our beloved Deaf community. We believe, “the world is wide enough…”

Surface Pressure (From “Encanto”) (ASL Version – Deaf West Theatre) | YouTube – DisneyMusicVEVO

DEAF WEST THEATRE

Committed to innovation, collaboration, training and activism, Deaf West is the artistic bridge between the Deaf and hearing worlds. Deaf West engages artist and audiences in unparalleled theatre and media experiences inspired by Deaf culture and the expressive power of sign language, weaving ASL with spoken English to create a seamless ballet of movement and voice. Visit deawest.org to learn more.

Click here to learn more.

Aspen Camp

For over 50+ years, Aspen Camp has served thousands of deaf and hard of hearing children and youth across the country at its modest camp 17-acre riparian environment nestled along the Snowmass Creek near Aspen, Colorado.

Aspen Camp is 15+ acre riparian forest nestled along the Snowmass Creek situated 7,582′ above elevation in the Roaring Fork Valley, Colorado. With six programming facilities, Aspen Camp is the only year-round camp serving the hearing loss population and the sign language community.

Founded in 1967 by Reed Harris, Tom Sardy, and Lt. General William Martin along with support from the Pabst family and the Aspen Rotary Club. Aspen Camp continued to prosper, hosting well over 25,000 campers and families on its modest campground.

Click here to learn more.