Registration is now open for the 2026 Literacy and Language Symposium.

Instrument classifiers are a powerful part of American Sign Language that allow signers to visually show how objects are held, used, and moved. In this interactive class, participants will explore how instrument classifiers add clarity, depth, and accuracy to everyday communication.

This session will focus on recognizing, forming, and using instrument classifiers in meaningful contexts. Through guided examples and practice, participants will learn how classifiers help move ASL beyond single signs into richer, more descriptive storytelling and conversation.

Summer camp can be a powerful experience for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children. Beyond fun and outdoor activities, camp offers opportunities for language access, confidence-building, friendship, and a strong sense of belonging.

To support families in finding these opportunities, ASL Up Network has created a Summer Camp Resource Page featuring camps for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children across several states.

Everyday moments at home are powerful opportunities for language and connection. Learn simple, practical ways to make play, reading, and daily routines fun and accessible for Deaf and hard of hearing children—using tools you already have.

Exploring the 5 Handshape in ASL is a focused class that helps participants understand how one handshape can be used to create many different signs and meanings in American Sign Language. Learners will explore common and more advanced signs using the 5 handshape and see how movement, location, and facial expression change meaning. This class is open to ASL learners at all levels, from beginners to advanced, and is designed to deepen understanding of how ASL works as a visual language.

Participants will be introduced to the fundamentals of ASL, including visual communication norms, everyday vocabulary, and basic sentence structure. Emphasis is placed on practical, real-life use of ASL, helping learners feel comfortable incorporating signs into daily routines, interactions, and family life.

The 2026 Language & Literacy Symposium is a virtual event spotlighting practical, evidence-informed strategies to strengthen language and literacy for deaf, hard of hearing and deafblind children through ASL and English.

Holidays in ASL - Class Recording Released

The recording of our Holidays in ASL class is now available. Thank you to all who participated and helped launch our first ASL Up Class.

This article explains “Dinner Table Syndrome,” the isolation Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can experience when everyday conversations are not accessible. It highlights the emotional impact of being left out and offers simple, practical ways families and communities can create more inclusive, visually accessible spaces where everyone belongs.