Sally J. Pimentel Deaf & Hard of Hearing Center (DHHC) will offer five-week beginning American Sign Language (ASL) classes starting Oct. 16. The sessions are every Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the center located at 1860 Boy Scout Drive in Fort Myers.
DHHC uses “Signing Naturally” curriculum, designed to introduce ASL to aid in communication with the deaf and hard of hearing community and educate those who may be losing their hearing. Classes are $75 for a five-week course, with discounts for the hard of hearing and immediate family members of a deaf person. Classes for the deaf are offered for free.
The beginner’s course is one of five levels of ASL taught at DHHC. Additional courses are available for more advanced signers, with new sessions of ASL 2 starting Oct. 17 or Nov. 20; ASL 3 starting Nov. 21, ASL 4 starting Nov. 4 and ASL5 to be determined with a wait list. Each course will receive a certificate of completion and those completing ASL 5 will have a graduation to celebrate the completion of all levels.
In addition, ongoing ASL Family Class, designed for parents to learn basic ASL and Deaf Culture, is offered Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for families with deaf or hard of hearing children. Siblings and other family members are encouraged to attend. The sessions are free and occur nearly ever Tuesday during the school year.
“There are about 36 million hard of hearing and deaf people in the United States,” said Alicia Miller, executive director of the Sally J. Pimentel Deaf & Hard of Hearing Center. “By learning ASL, you can communicate with 17% more of the population than you did before. Studies have shown learning ASL also makes you a better listener, communicator and multitasker!”
For information, call 239-461-0334 voice phone, 239-247-5821 video phone, or visit www.dhhc.life.
About Sally J. Pimentel Deaf & Hard of Hearing Center
Founded in 1983 as The Deaf Service Center, the Sally J. Pimentel Deaf & Hard of Hearing Center is the only organization of its kind in Southwest Florida specifically working to improve the quality of life for the deaf and hard of hearing citizens and their families through education, advocacy and community involvement. A wide range of services are offered to deaf and hard of hearing children and adults of Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Hendry, Glades and DeSoto counties, including interpreting services, free telephone equipment loans, deaf mentor program, American sign language classes, information and referral services, employment assistance, family education, community outreach and education, and adaptive equipment sales. For information, call 239-461-0334 voice phone, 239-247-5821 video phone, or visit www.dhhc.life.