www.dbcusa.org

VL2 is seeking partnerships with schools that would like to participate in the study.

The VL2 EELS will focus on children who are deaf or hard of hearing and will attempt to answer critical questions related to early communication, language learning environments, academic curricula, etc. for young children from birth to five years of age.

Click here for more information (PDF): VL2 EELS Information Sheet

...And the irony continues that hearing babies and hearing people continue to learn ASL and rave about the benefits (hands waving to those who are  learning), but parents of Deaf babies are being told not to learn sign language/American Sign Language or teach their Deaf babies sign language/ASL.  Parents are still being mislead and misinformed that that sign language will hinder speech.  This is NOT true and research does not support this statement.   When will Deaf children be able to have it all when it comes to full access to language through ASL and English (written and spoken if desired)?  DBC says the time is now.  Give Deaf children every opportunity to language.

Sun-Times Media published this blog
"Why I'll be learning sign language"
Roger Ebert's Journal
http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/pages-for-twitter/why-ill-be-learning-sign-langu.html

Comment Section:
We started teaching baby sign language to my son, who is now almost 3, when he was a newborn. My wife wasn't sold on it until one night, during a crying fit, he crudely signed 'milk'. We gave him a bottle and he immediately quieted down, drank it and went to sleep. Other times he was able to tell us he wanted more of one food, not another, that something hurt or that he was tired. And 'Thank you' was one of the sweetest things to see. This was all before he could verbalize anything more than 'mama' and 'dada'.

My daughter was born two weeks ago and this time my wife is even more excited about baby sign language than I am. I recommend this to ALL new parents as it will make your children happier by giving them a way to communicate months before they can do so out loud.

I've wanted to learn ASL so hopefully this blog combined with my experience with my children will encourage me to find the time.