ASL Language Portal Launched to Help Deaf Children and Their Hearing Parents Communicate Using Storytelling

OTTAWA, Feb. 28, 2017 /CNW/ - A new online portal to help parents develop ASL/English language skills of their deaf or hard of hearing children was launched today by the literacy non-profit organization, Alternative Learning Styles and Outlooks (ALSO). 

Due to language and communications challenges at home, most deaf and hard of hearing children start school behind their hearing peers in terms of language learning, making it harder for them to succeed.

Recognizing the importance of language development at home and the need to prepare deaf and hard of hearing children for school, ALSO designed ASL RAPP to provide parents and children with tools to support language learning at home.  

Funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the ASL RAPP online portal consists of page-by-page videos with images of children's story books and teachers telling the stories through ASL. The material is developed for children age 3-10. Through an annual membership, families can access books and story-telling videos online and learning organizations can purchase packs for the families they serve.

"I appreciate the support our family gets from ALSO's ASL RAPP," said Cherie whose child is deaf due to a rare disorder. "My daughter deserves loving parents who can hold a conversation with her without frustrating communication."

Kim Oastler, Executive Director of ALSO agrees, "Ninety percent of deaf children are born to hearing parents who may not have the skills to support their child's language learning," she said. "A family literacy program adapted for this special group of families can have a significant impact on the families' communication and connection, plus future success in school."

In addition to deaf and hard of hearing children, ASL RAPP is also useful for families of children with learning challenges due to language delays.

To access the ASL RAPP Online Portal, visit aslrapp.org

View the demo: https://youtu.be/l83a6LfRkSk

About ALSO
The non-profit literacy organization, Alternative Learning Styles and Outlooks (ALSO), has been providing free adult and family literacy services for over 30 years. Working with both English and Deaf program learners, we offer literacy skill upgrading to assist students reach their goals in obtaining work, training and further education. To access ALSO's online portal for ASL language development, visit aslrapp.org. For more information about ALSO's programs, visit also-ottawa.org

SOURCE Alternative Learning Styles and Outlooks

For further information: Kim Oastler, Executive Director, Alternative Learning Styles and Outlooks (ALSO), 613-233-8660,[e-mail]