The Art of Sign Language

Meet David Garner.  Artist. Extraordinarily talented, creative and endowed with a huge heart. David has been working for thirty years as both a designer and an illustrator.  He works almost exclusively with not-for-profit organizations. While online he found the TapRoot Foundation website.  TapRoot is a service company that matches non profits in need of workers with willing and talented volunteers.
GraceSigns, a small educational technology organization had posted a job request for an artist.  David was intrigued.  GraceSigns needed someone to draw characters and  animals. The catch: it involved sign language.  David knew nothing about signing but thought it was a perfect opportunity to do an illustration project that sounded fun and challenging.  The process was challenging, but it was indeed fun and he enjoyed the fact that the art was geared toward children. Having worked on children's books, marketing campaigns and a variety of other projects, this was David's first foray into the app business and he was excited to enter this new medium. David enjoyed learning the signs, as he had to draw the cartoon characters signing the 26 letters of the alphabet.  Being naturally whimsical in his work, David brought a bright colorful element to each illustration, especially to the amazing animal artwork. Sign Me ABCs is the end result and David is pleased to have been a partner in creating something that will help kids and adults learn sign language in a happy and inclusive format.  "GraceSigns apps are geared to accepting the differences of all of us.  It has been a rewarding ride, and I am proud to have been part of it."

Artist David Garner
www.GarnerDesign.net

TapRoot Foundation
https://taprootfoundation.org/

Blog by Valerie Carter
www.GraceSigns.org

Signing with Maggie

Maggie’s little blonde curls framed her face as she gave me the “look” that she did NOT want to play with my toys.  At two and a half, she worked hard each session to speak, carefully imitating my words, but when she wanted to say something on her own, it was hard for her to come up with the words. Her sparkling eyes showed me she’d had enough of my adult-directed session. It was time for her to call the shots. 

As a speech-language pathologist, many have asked me if using screens was detrimental to their child’s health.  I’m sure passively watching YouTube videos and clicking between children’s movies is not advisable but using apps as teaching tools with adult support is entirely different. Sometimes when children are struggling to learn, using the iPad as a teaching tool expedites their learning.  

After already spending the bulk of the session with more traditional teaching strategies, I opened the new Sign Me ABCs app. Maggie eagerly looked at the iPad, excited to have access. I showed her the first animal- Alligator- and she immediately copied the sign and tried to say the word!  She was so proud and smiled from ear to ear. We went on to the next animal-Bear- and she imitated the word and action for that, too!  On and on she went until she had imitated all of the signs and words for the animals A-to-Z.  Just when I thought we were done with the session, Maggie practiced repeating 26 words and their signs! Maggie’s engagement with Sign Me ABCs showed me that signing is another tool we can use to support her development.  Maggie is happy, and so am I, helping her learn!

by Guest Blogger

Laura O’Grady
CA License: SP 14483

M.S. CCC-SLP

ASHA: 12029427

CSHA: 20673-1

Music as a Language Bridge

Music as a Language Bridge

Music is a universal experience, and a 'language of the emotions' that can communicate all shades of feelings, thoughts, dreams, etc. 

These are the very same emotions and feeling that are sometimes difficult to verbalize.

For those with limited or no verbal language, the strategic use of Music

can be the bridge between someone's inner world, and the voice of expression to others.

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"Isn't that what we all want?  To be heard, and understood?" (Seal)

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Music is also an extraordinary language bridge across cultural and language differences.  Using facial expressions, a phrase book or a communication device, body language and of course sign language all work, but there is something globally primal about music that draws individuals together and breaks down differences. It is the one universal thing that does not need to be translated to be understood...such is the miracle of music.

"Music is one of the most powerful things that the world has to offer.  No matter what race or religion or nationality or sexual orientation or gender that your are, it has the power to unite us." (Lady Gaga)

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by Guest Blogger,

Lizz Domash, RMT, MCAT.

Love, a Universal Language

Love, a Universal Language

When you think about Love, you think about being able to communicate and deeply connect with someone.  If you have seen the enchanting new movie, The Shape Of Water, you will understand how love can be blind, it can be deaf and it can be totally without reason.  But what this movie stresses is that if on some level you are able to communicate with... a person, an animal, a creature... then that is something significant, irregardless of who or what they are. We as beings all need those connections.  In the movie, the character Elisa is mute and signs exclusively; she is able to build a relationship with the sea creature using sign language, facial expressions and her body language.  It is incredibly moving because without the spoken word, so much can be said.  Sign Language gives us that gateway into the unspoken, the ability to use our whole person to express ourselves, using everything including our faces, and our hands to convey our emotions.  

When I think about LOVE, I also think about the "Night To Shine."  Created by the Tim Tebow Foundation - it is an international "Night to Shine" prom for special needs teens.  Last year, 375 host churches within 50 states, 11 countries and 28 denominations participated.  Individuals were treated to shoe shines, hair and makeup, dinner, limo ride, a walk on the red carpet and a night to remember.  This photo above was Grace and her date Tyler at last year's event.  Their faces say everything.  What is great about this picture is that they were explicitly communicating with each other without saying a single word.  The language of love is powerful and truly miraculous.  We can learn a lot about love and communication from those who are often speechless.  

by Valerie R. Carter 

Executive Director, GraceSigns

www.GraceSigns.org

Night to Shine Foundation Link: https://www.timtebowfoundation.org/

Santa and Signs of the Holidays

Santa and Signs of the Holidays 

When December rolls around, so do the Signs of good things to come.  Signs of Joy can be seen and heard and felt in the air.  Signs are not always written, nor are they said aloud.  We see and feel the signs of love and happiness and we know it is that time of year.  When children are smiling, that is a sign. When people are tired, we can see signs of that too. At this time, there are signs everywhere - homes, businesses and even people are sparkling with red, green, glitter and gold.  Holiday music plays as lights dance and dazzle around us. There is a also a sweetness that permeates our senses - chocolate, baking and all things yummy.  The holidays have us using all of our senses!

With Sign Language, we use all our senses (except hearing) to read the other person; we watch their hands. We study their facial expression, their posture and their energy. When someone signs “I am Happy”- they show you with their whole being!

We at GraceSigns were honored to demonstrate Signs of Love and Joy by hosting a holiday party for children with special needs and their family. Happy Signing to all of you and Happy New Year from GraceSigns!

Sign Language & Emotions

Sign Language & Emotions

by Valerie R. Carter

When you think of “language” you might just think of spoken languages, such as English, French or Spanish. However, language comes in many different formats and also involves body language and emotional language. Facial expressions are especially important with sign language, a visual form of communication.

When Lydia Callis’ animated sign language interpreting helped Mayor Michael Bloomberg warn New Yorkers about 2012 Superstorm Sandy, she became an overnight internet star.  As Bloomberg spoke, Callis' face, hands and body spelled out the dangers for New Yorkers who could not hear. When Bloomberg said, "It is dangerous," a sense of peril visibly spread across her face. While Callis was spoofed on late night talk shows, the use of hands, body language, facial expressions and mouth movements all stress importance. They are similar to intonation and inflection in speech.

An interesting study shows that people who can sign have improved abilities to read general body language – an integral part of communication. Sign language also helps communicate emotions and sometimes allows people who can’t express their emotions in words easily, like young children and those with special needs, give voice to their feelings.

Learn a Sign a Week

Introduce a sign each week associated with an emotion such as afraid, happy, sad, etc. Say and sign the word multiple times each day and use appropriate facial expressions to match meanings. We will post a new emotion each week on our website. www.GraceSigns.org

BACK TO SCHOOL STRATEGY

BACK TO SCHOOL STRATEGY

by Laura O'Grady

We are all back to school and with that comes the chaos of scheduling, paperwork, and after-school activities. Children with special needs are often in new classes with new teachers and new aides, who have not yet learned each child’s unique communication needs.  What is the best way for children to convey a brief 1-2 word message when their articulation isn’t clear? Fingerspelling!! Fingerspelling is signing the spelling of a word rather than using the sign for the word.  Most Special Educators have learned how to fingerspell, and it can be used in any environment.  When your child isn’t understood, have them fingerspell it! When teachers ask who will be picking them up, have them fingerspell it! When teachers ask if they have siblings, have them fingerspell it! Fingerspelling is useful anywhere, anytime, so it is an essential skill to learn.  Be on the lookout for GraceSign's fun, new signing app that teaches all the letters in the alphabet! 

Guest Blog post by Laura O’Grady, Speech Pathologist and GraceSign's Board Member