Can Deaf People Read? The breakthrough between ASL and Phonics

The path of literacy in Deaf and Dumb Persons

The link between literacy and education.

Deaf History Month: From French Roots to American Culture

Combining ASL, Phonics, and Visual Clues.

Learn differently at Warp-Speed.

Can Deaf people read?

How do they understand?

In the year of 1988, I was born. A Deaf baby born to two hearing parents. From the age of two, I began attending WVSD (West Virginia School for the Deaf). I began reading at a very young age. By the age of five, I was writing short stories.

In the early nineties, and years before: Those with disabilities or in need of special education were reformed to a separate institution. The modern IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education) Act has brought everyone together, in the most literal sense of the word.

“Blindness separates people from things; deafness separates people from people.”

–Helen Keller

This day and age: Education has evolved to become all-inclusive. To marginalize and “group” has become politically and socially incorrect. The Deaf Schools, Blind schools, Black schools. Even mental institutions; like, The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum. The segregation could not be tolerated any longer.

“Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.”

Brown VS Board of Education (1954)

Common School Movement

Before the 20th century, and the push to become all-inclusive. Teachers went door-to-door, soliciting parents to send their child to school. In those days, teachers advertised their methods of discipline. Teaching skills were measured by how they could govern and control a classroom.

How Schools Operated in 1830

In 1600’s Puritan culture: Literacy was highly valued. It was important that each man could read the Bible for himself. New England Massachusetts law passed that parents must educate their child to read. Wealthy families sent their children away for formal schooling/tutoring.

Old Deluder Satan Act of 1647 (1647)

“The same course that is taken in England out of towns; every man according to his own ability in instructing his children”

-Commonwealth of Virginia Governor William Berkeley (1671)

Abbé Charles-Michel de l’Épée, a French priest, was on a mission to win souls for Christ. One night, he encountered two sisters who did not speak, hear, or read. How could he even tell them of the existence of God? Abbé spent time watching and analyzing their hand gestures. From there, he categorized and organized the visual signs. Essentially, this was the very start of what is now known as “Sign Language”.

American Sign Language: Roots and History

Sign Language and Literacy Among the Deaf

Combining ASL, Phonics, and Visual Clues

As a ~~Deaf~~ “Hearing Impaired” child, trying to fit in. Finding my place between two separate cultures. Learning English and ASL simultaneously at the age of two. My path to literacy was warp-speed. I remember snippets of Hooked on Phonics. Finger spelling words in ASL at the age of three. I was reading and writing well before my peers.

Using these methods, that I’ve used for myself years ago. I’ve found these ways to be helpful in teaching children to read today:

Using American Sign Language for Early Learning

Sign the Letter/Make the Sound/Show the Letter

Characters (or letters) are the building blocks of language. Each letter represents a sound. By putting letters and sounds together: You are reading!

Hand Gestures /ASL fingerspelling gives each letter a physical source. By making and seeing the source: there’s an extra layer of recognition.

Learning Sign Language to Teach Reading

A -ă or ae
B- Buh
C- Cuh
D- Duh

So on and so forth..and sometimes Y.

By implementing ASL into early learning; reading decoding skills are honed. Confidence is gained through letter recognition. And by sight, sound, and sign: All three shine together for reading excellence.

Teach Your Child to Read Using Phonics and ASL

Children are a gift. Give them the gift of language. Spoken and unspoken.

Reading is as important as writing.

And writing is as important as talking.

Talking is important to listening.

Listening is important to understanding.

Educate your children. Spend time with them. Teach them all the little things. Learn as you go. Do life together. Nurture in nature, treasure connections everywhere.

Nobody has invested more in your child’s best interest than you.

You are so loved ❤️