On behalf of SIGNING FAMILIES we wish all a happy holiday season!
Below you will find in our slideshow some common holiday words in American Sign Language (ASL) For more information about sign language or to learn how to sign – please visit our website or our FACEBOOK page where nearly 5000 people visit and share. We also have many of our videos on YouTube for your enjoyment!
Have a safe, joyous, healthy and wonderful holiday season!
~Louise
Happy December! I know every year has 12 months, yet this year seemed to have gone by in a flash! I use to keep better track of the seasons, and time in general, during those “parenting years”. Back then I knew what month it was by which PTA project I volunteered to do. October was the Halloween parade, December was buying teacher holiday gifts, and so on. Now that my kids are grown and my status is that of having a “low occupancy home”, I realize that I must resort to keeping track of time the old fashioned way- by using the Calendar app on my ipad! Which explains why the alarm went off yesterday with a reminder that read: “WRITE ANNUAL YEAR IN REVIEW BLOG TODAY”.
I know myself too well, so I set another alarm and it went off today with a bit of attitude as the reminder message read – “YOU FORGOT TO WRITE YOUR ANNUAL YEAR IN REVIEW BLOG – DO IT NOW!!”
So here it goes… Nearly 4800 people have found our SIGNING FAMILIES Facebook page. I have used this social media page to help people to learn about sign language (ASL) and the deaf community. I also focused during the year on issues regarding Autism, Down Syndrome and education. Then I sprinkled a hefty dose of humor, inspiration and giveaways! We grew and grew with more than a thousand new friends joining us!
Surprisingly, one of the most popular posts was that of Daniel Radcliffe, aka Harry Potter. In an effort to improve awareness about sign language usage in the United Kingdom, Daniel was asked to pose with a simple sign that asked readers to learn how to sign GOOD MORNING. I found this article interesting and posted it, too. WOW – what a response! In fact, worldwide this campaign went “viral”. I was glad our little “hamlet” could participate.
As with every good company, we were busy adding products and also revamping our website to reflect the change in how people do business online. Our SIGNING FAMILIES website now offers online downloads for workshop attendees, more interactive elements and our newest product, the SIGN LANGUAGE EMERGENCY CHART in American Sign Language with captions in English, Spanish and Mandarin (simplified). Why did we create a quadra-lingual product? Simply, First Responders asked us to do so to help those with access and functional needs (AFN). Plain and simple.
This card has found its’ way in to thousands of emergency vehicles, uniforms and disaster response shelters nationwide. We were the most proud to have been able to donate many to our friends in Oklahoma, where I visited following the awful the series of tornadoes they experienced last May. I invite people who work as emergency personnel to email me if you wish to learn more and to receive a complimentary copy: Louise<at>Signing Families <dot> com.
It would be remiss of me to forget to mention that, it has been an honor to have met via workshops and conferences scores of our First Responders, including CERT / NERT members. These people bravely go towards disasters when most of us would flee. I hope that my disaster preparedness and response workshops gave food for thought to all who attended as I know you all taught me so much, too!
MeeoMiia came to us during 2013 to let us know that they were so inspired by our logo and wanted to use it as a basis for their newest LOVE necklace. We were thrilled! And, to celebrate we gave one as a giveaway to one of our subscribers!
It seems that wherever life takes me, including to events via OmgInsider or 411 VOICES, I find people who are willing to take a few moments and give some love – ASL style. I posted some of my favorites photos below for you to enjoy!
It is no secret that social media overload can happen to anyone. I am humbled that you found your way to this little ‘ol blog and read it to the end. Feel free to add your blog url below or to comment. Thank you and…
UPDATE: This contest is now CLOSED. The winner has been notified and we congratulate Debra Leavitt Jorgensen for winning the Meeo Miia ILY charm necklace! (Selection was made via Random.org)
Yesterday, I posted a blog telling you that Meeo Miia and I worked on a concept which we would divulge tonight on the LOUISE SATTLER SHOW via Blog Talk Radio. So, tonight we will! LISTEN HERE
But, because we want to entice you to listen and participate in our #giveaway we will give you an early peek in to our secret…
HUGE thanks to Sherri Pellegren, owner of Meeo Miia – for designing a beautiful necklace based on the SIGNING FAMILIES logo and embellished with loads of I LOVE YOU – art . The logo which was created many years ago for SIGNING FAMILIES by artist, Pat Roby, will be available for purchase on the MeeoMiia website. .
Must enter on the day of the LIVE radio show- August 4, 2013
Must reside in the United States and not affiliated with 411 VOICES or Meeo Miia
One winner will be chosen who complies to the following criteria….
TO ENTER TO BE ELIGIBLE TO WIN YOU MUST DO ONE OR BOTH OF THE FOLLOWING (which enhances your chances to win, if you do both)
I just entered a contest by @MeeoMiia 4 their new #ASL Necklace #MeeoMiiaLovesASL via Louise Sattler SHOW on BTR #411VOICES
WINNER IS CHOSEN VIA RANDOM SELECTION AND ANNOUNCED ON THIS BLOG
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keep going!
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DRUMROLL!
What is in your lunchbox today? I have started to take a real look at the food I have been eating and serving. I can’t eat the same foods I did when I was a much younger “me”. So, I am focusing on “real foods”. Ones that are as close to the original source as possible. That includes discovering new veggies (Brussell sprouts with balsamic vinegar grilled are yummy- who knew?) and fruits (I am loving apricots these days!) Plus adding at my doctors insistence dairy products .. including milk and yogurt. ( I never was much of a milk drinker, but I am learning to use it in smoothies and coffee.) And, although I prefer non-meat options I have been eating protein with meat and fish to help me be healthy and curb hunger!
Many families who follow SIGNING FAMILIES have asked me to post words in American Sign Language which are food related. So, here you go.. foods that help keep us healthy!
THESE BOLDED WORDS ARE DEPICTED IN OUR SLIDESHOW
EAT and FOOD
VEGETABLE : POTATO
FRUIT : APPLE, PEAR, PEACH, BANANA
DAIRY: CHEESE, MILK, YOGURT
NOTE: Due to unforseen circumstance the ASL Summer online camp has been cancelled. Look for an upcoming announcement for another option for learning ASL during the summer!
When my children were young I use to sign them up for many different interactive and educational camps. I recall waiting on a long line to get a “slot” for the AMERICAN GIRL doll camp being offered through our local parks and recreation center. From sports to creative art camps my kids sampled them all. Most of the time they were fun and no complaints were heard.
It is because I think learning at any age should be FUN and INTERACTIVE that I am offering this summer via my company SIGNING FAMILIES an online LIVE sign language “camp”. This will be for kids and their families to learn the basics of sign language as an “online summer camp program”.
WHEN WILL IT BE OFFERED?
The online camp dates now available are the week of June 17th or the week of June 24th. If there is great interest then more online camp dates will be added.
The camp will be for one online hour per day for five consecutive days. It will be group instruction. Time TBD but most likely 1pmET, 11am PT
HOW WILL STUDENTS CONNECT?
All you would need to do is have the ability for video chat online. We will most likely use SKYPE or a comparable system such as GOOGLE HANGOUT.
HOW MANY STUDENTS PER SESSION?
The class will have up to 9 students involved which will make for great conversation and practice. Each student also will have an extra 60 minutes during the week for one on one questions and practice.
DO WE GET ANY MATERIALS?
In addition, each person who signs up will get our SIGNING FAMILIES ASL FOLDER, ASL POSTER and one DVD from our catalog (either Baby, Toddler and Preschool Sign Language or Sign Language for Emergency Situations).
WHAT WILL THE ONLINE CAMP COVER?
* Basic greetings in ASL
* People an common places
* School words
* Alphabet and numbers
* Basic animals, transportation and action words
THE COST per STUDENT?
The total cost for the online camp AND the materials mentioned above is $79 ( EARLY BIRD special $69 if signed up by May 1, 2013)
HOW TO SIGN UP?
If you are interested in learning more about the camp or to sign up as an EARLY BIRD.. please comment below or connect via the FACEBOOK post, too.
HOW TO PAY
Once confirmed that you are signing up for a camp session you will be invoiced via PayPal.
A non-refundable down payment of $25 reserves your spot. Down payment must be received within one week of signing up. Payment in full will be required by June 1, 2013.
WILL YOU OFFER INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS FOR THOSE WHO WANT ANOTHER OPTION TO LEARN?
Yes, I offer 30 minute SKYPE sign language lessons or tutoring. The rates are $20 per session. No materials are included in this price. Adults and children may request individual sessions. I also welcome families with children who have special learning challenges and need adaptive sign language.
We are sorry that this offer is for US residents only.
What happens when a deftly drafted television program script has lots of lines for actors to say.. but not to voice?
Confused?
Well, if you are a fan of the ABCFAMILY show Switched At Birth you have probably heard the buzz that this coming Monday, March 4th, the episode will have lots of lines for actors.. just in SIGN only!
This all ASL, no voice episode, is groundbreaking, innovative and thrilling for those of us who live, love or work within the deaf community!
Check your local listings about when this episode will air near you.
Video rebroadcast is via the ABCFAMILY website. There is additional content that includes video interviews that are voiced, signed and captioned.
Others have commented on this episode as well, including LATimes, Backstage and National Association for the Deaf.
I hope readers of this blog will join me in watching this show and supporting the pioneer cast and crew involved.
Have a groovy weekend!
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April is Autism Awareness Month and I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce all of you to a new joint venture between Debi Taylor, Spirit of Autism, and myself. Together we are trying to help educate and potentially save the lives of children with Autism. For a number of years I have trained emergency medical personnel on how to interact and communicate with children with special needs, many who use sign language. Debi, is a paramedic and the mother of a son with Autism. We are “Tweet pals” and have become fast friends and colleagues. Our mission is to help EMS and others be able to assist children and adults with Autism during medical emergencies or disasters.
If you are interested in learning more about our programs please connect here via SIGNING FAMILIES: INFO<at>SigningFamilies<dot>com
To be able to receive our two emergency cards below for the sweet price of $1.99 (US customers only receive free shipping), again send us an email: INFO<at>SigningFamilies<dot>com
For bulk rates for Schools/ PTOs, Hospitals and EMS organizations please also connect at the email above or via SigningFamilies.com
Thank you!
