Xpressive Handz

"Soaring Spirits International Celebrates 5 Years at...
Xpressive Handz I first heard about this wonderful organization on Twitter in a mention by @BrendaLeeFree. When I first started following Brenda a few years ago on Twitter and her blog at  [link] she was a widow. Life has changed for Brenda since then. She is of late a brand new bride, happily remarried. Though she is remarried, she still promotes this compassionate organization. ...
Thu, May 16 2013

Spain: ASL Around the World
Xpressive Handz I want to introduce you to Angela Johnson of Madrid, Spain. Angela is an amazing teacher, who is also an instructor with Signing Time Academy.  This is Angela demonstrating the ASL sign for "teacher". Thank you, Angela, for sharing your story and the impact Sign Language has not only with communication, but education, as well.  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ASL in Spa...
Wed, May 15 2013

Why Hospitals and Medical Centers Need Interpreters &...
Xpressive Handz Many of you know that when I was in the hospital for my surgery last fall, I was not given an interpreter even though I had asked for one. They figured because I was speaking with my husband, I wasn't as deaf as I am. That's a common problem with people who become deaf later in life. I had also requested on at a previous medical testing proceeding at a lab, and though...
Mon, May 13 2013

For the Women
Xpressive Handz Happy Mother's Day to all the women who have loving hearts. When you share love or nurture, even teach children, you are sharing the purpose of motherhood. One does not need to give birth or have children to have a mothering spirit.
Sun, May 12 2013

Happy Mother's Day (A Loving Tribute)
Xpressive Handz A mother's love changed the world.I love this tribute by Leah Coleman for her mother Rachel of Signing --- Mother's Day to Mothers Everywhere
Fri, May 10 2013

Robyn O'Brien's Ted Talk "Real Food"
Xpressive Handz Below is a video (worth 20 minutes to view) and a transcript of it is at the bottom of the page.  Headmistress over at  [link] volunteered her time to listen and type this up for us. One of my friends recently asked if I would share this post and transcript for her friends who've not yet seen this. Do share this with people you know who would be interested. I wish ...
Thu, May 09 2013

Topic and Time for Next HLA of Lancaster County Meeting
Xpressive Handz "Dealing With Depression from Hearing Loss" will be presented by Gretchen Gaudioso, Client/Family Advocate Mental Health America, Lancaster County at the next Lancaster County Hearing Loss Association meeting Tuesday, May 21st, 2013 at 10:00 am. CART (real time captioning) and loop are provided.EVERYONE is welcome!LOCATION:Village Center BuildingFellowship Hall (lower...
Wed, May 08 2013

Technology for Communication in the Workplace
Xpressive Handz I saw this video posted by Melissa Ruth, the lovely woman in this video, over on Lipreading Moms and Dads Network FaceBook page.This captioning system links inter-agency telephones in the work force and levels the employment field for deaf and hard of hearing employees. "Did you know that you can put ClearCaptions on your company's Cisco Unified IP phones (with Cisco ...
Mon, May 06 2013

Malaysia: ASL Around the World
Xpressive Handz I want to introduce you to a true Supermom, Nurul Farid of Malaysia. Nurul is a Signing Time Academy instructor, and she is also working hard to help build a Mummy and Me center for mothers and their children to gather support, attend classes and grow together.Thank you, Nurul, for accepting our invitation to write a guest post for us.  “Language is the road ...
Thu, May 02 2013

Inclusive and Accessible
Xpressive Handz Captions don't have to be projected onto a screen. They can also provided on the wall of the auditorium just off to the side of the person who was speaking. Captions can, and should be, provided in every classroom, courtroom, church, meeting, medical appointment, anywhere where words are spoken, for access to language for all who are deaf or hard of hearing.This 3 and...
Wed, May 01 2013

New Blog Series Coming: ASL Around the World
Xpressive Handz As an instructor with Signing Time Academy, I have the good fortune of being connected with other Signing Time instructors around the world. We actually have two forums where we meet, a lounge forum designed just for us, as well as a FaceBook page. These were created for us by Two Little Hands so we could share our experiences together, as well as exchange tips, ask q...
Tue, Apr 30 2013

The Quietest Place On Earth
Xpressive Handz How long would a hearing person be able to sit in "the world's quietest place" Did you know there was even such a place on earth? There is! While it may be therapeutic for some, such as this sailor, for others it would be a bit unnerving.While it wouldn't make any difference to a profoundly deaf person, I wonder if it would make any difference to those who are deaf a...
Mon, Apr 29 2013

A GIVEAWAY and Review of My Class by Still Playing School
Xpressive Handz Last Saturday morning was lively.  "Lively" was a typo, I meant to type "lovely", but lively is accurate. It was also delightful.Holly Keich at Om Baby & Pregnancy & Parenting Center invited me to come to Om's Earth Day Fair and offer a free demonstration Baby Signing Time Class. Thank you, Holly, it was wonderful seeing all of the adorable babies come out and play...
Wed, Apr 24 2013

2013 Summer Camp American Sign Language (ASL)
Xpressive Handz 2013 SUMMER AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE (ASL) CAMP For Deaf & Hearing Elementary Students! Come for fun, learn a new language, and make new friends! Identify ASL as a world language, characteristics of deaf culture, demonstrate basic sign language skills, describe technology used by deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and HAVE FUN! The Western Pennsylvania Scho...
Tue, Apr 23 2013

RSS Feeds, 100,000 Blog Hits and A Word of Thanks
Xpressive Handz RSS feeds will be going away, along with Google Reader. If you wish to continue to follow this blog by Xpressive Handz, you can "subscribe by email". The link is on the column to your right. Just scroll until you see it between the banners of "AllTop" and "Search this Blog".I also want to take a moment to than YOU readers and vistors. As of April 21, 2013, Xpressive H...
Mon, Apr 22 2013

Sunday, April 21, 2013
Xpressive Handz Today's post is found here:  [link]
Sun, Apr 21 2013

Amelia Wins, Expresses Gratitude
Xpressive Handz I am so pleased to share these words with you from Amelia: "I am delighted to let you know that I won the scholarship, and so I will be able to produce this fiilm this summer. Thank you for all of your help, I am very grateful for this.I hope that people who voted and shared it will see that it paid off." Thanks to all  of you who took time to help this young woma...
Thu, Apr 18 2013

Smart Phone App Captions Cell Phone Calls
Xpressive Handz I love my CapTel IPhone App. Now there is also an Andriod App. If you are having trouble hearing on your cell phone, this is the App for you. It allows you to use your own voice, and the Calling Agents (CA's) type to you what the person on the other end of the call is saying, along with all the background noise so you have most of the same information a hearing pe...
Wed, Apr 17 2013

Captioned Streaming Online New Coverage
Xpressive Handz Regarding the horrific events in Boston .. There is live online captioned coverage right here: [link]
Mon, Apr 15 2013

Reflections Through Recovery
Xpressive Handz As many of you who regularly visit my blog know, I've been recuperating from surgery. It was much more difficult than I had imagined, but the "down time" has brought me to a point of much needed reflection.I've been fortunate this past decade to have some amazing life changes. It's interesting how things have come along in my life when I'm not looking for them. When ...
Mon, Apr 15 2013

Seeking Deaf or Fluent ASL Reiki Master
Xpressive Handz Today's post is a request from someone learning Reiki who wants to share Reiki with the deaf and hard of hearing. They eventually would teach Reiki to the deaf in their community. If you are interested in helping, just leave a comment below. `````````````````` I am looking for information from Master Level Reiki III who is either Deaf or fluent ASL. I have taken the R...
Fri, Apr 12 2013

Alltop
Xpressive Handz I've had some wonderful things pop up of late. Xpressive Handz is now a feature on Alltop under the category of "deaf". It is a wonderful privilege to be featured with other deaf and hard of hearing bloggers on the site. Check out the "Deaf" category to see more:  [link] to the bottom of the page for X for X marks the spot, or X for Xpressive Handz. :-)
Thu, Apr 11 2013

The Story of Nathan and Sylvia
Xpressive Handz I saw this story posted by Susquehanna Service Dogs on FaceBook and felt compelled to share it here in honor of Autism Month. As many of you know, I have applied to receive a Hearing Service Dog from this wonderful organization, myself. You can learn more about them here. But first, watch this open captioned story of Nathan and how Sylvia changed his life, and broug...
Wed, Apr 10 2013

How to Get Our/My Attention
Xpressive Handz My husband uses these ways to get my attention, with the exception of throwing things at me. :-) My favorite one is the on/off light flashing technique. There are times when he scares me to death by suddenly appearing from out of nowhere. Our floors are solid and carpeted, so I don't feel him walking up to me. [link]
Tue, Apr 09 2013

Sherry Hicks and Catalene Sacchetti-Mangarelli, ASL Duet...
Xpressive Handz This is a fantastic signed music video performed by Sherry Hicks featuring Catalene Sacchetti-Mangarelli. It is captioned. [link]
Mon, Apr 08 2013

Meet Amelia
Xpressive Handz There are so many creative young people that deserve a good chance to follow their dreams and sometimes need a little help and a simple vote of confidence can go a long way. I would like to introduce you to an up and coming film maker, Amelia Hassard Amelia is working hard to win a scholarship to New York. In order to win, she needs your votes. Why am I askin...
Thu, Apr 04 2013

Yosemite Scenes and Deaf Services
Xpressive Handz With spring and summer upon us, many will be planning vacations. I thought this would be a good time to share a couple of videos recently posted by the yosimitenationalpark YouTube channel. I remember driving my family through Yosemite on one of our road trips back in the 1970's. It was one of my favorite summers growing up.Not many know that the park actually has Dea...
Wed, Apr 03 2013

BEAUTIFUL: Through Your Child's Eyes (captioned)
Xpressive Handz This wonderful video, "Through Your Child's Eyes" explains the importance of signing and communicating with your babies and children. Though it focuses on deaf and hard of hearing children, the benefits are the same with hearing children. Babies can learn to sign to you and express their specific needs, thoughts and wants before the can speak. The muscles for speaking...
Mon, Apr 01 2013

How to Sign "Happy Easter", and other Spring Signs
Xpressive Handz Easter Signs with Rachel Coleman of Signing Time. This is now ---
Sat, Mar 30 2013

BioAid for iPhone
Xpressive Handz I was excited to see this posted over on The Limping Chicken. Technology is an awesome thing. We have such creative people designing apps and other gadgets to make life more accessible for the disabled. Take a phone, for instance, and turn it into a hearing aid!Although this is just being designed, I see wonderful possibilities in the future. I downloaded and install...
Fri, Mar 29 2013

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Ladies of Lancaster, PA Area:...
Xpressive Handz LADIES: We have requested an ASL interpreter for the Lancaster General Health event. It has been confirmed there WILL BE one on hand from 5pm until the end. Register and come on out. There will be drawings, food, and important information for our health:Tuesday, April 2 Worship Center2384 New Holland PikeLancaster, PA$10.00 Registration [link] hope to see you th...
Thu, Mar 28 2013

Optical Illusion Dance
Xpressive Handz Here is something a little different and delightfully visual. ---
Thu, Mar 28 2013

This, too, is important for Social Media
Xpressive Handz This is worth 3 1/2 minutes of your time, your business and your organization's time, and all aspects of social media as well. This important video created by Collaborative for Communication Access via Captioning is about accessibility, inclusion and equality. [link]
Wed, Mar 27 2013

The #BaconTour
Xpressive Handz What are Alex and his dad ( "Dine and Sign" ) up to? Let's have a look and see... [link]
Tue, Mar 26 2013

Research Now Backs the Importance of Teaching Deaf Children...
Xpressive Handz Bilingual Education...We have known this for a long time, but researchers are just slow to figure these things out. Here is the latest information regarding the benefits of teaching deaf children (and all children) Sign Language: [link]
Mon, Mar 25 2013

"The Three C's of Hearing Loss" Guest Post by...
Xpressive Handz Today's guest post is by author and speaker Shanna Groves. Shanna is the driving force behind the #showmeyourears campaign on Twitter and "Show Me Your Ears" on her website. Her campaign promotes the use of  hearing aids, cochlear implants and dispels the stigma that once came with them. People from all over have been taking snapshots of their "ear gear" and sharing ...
Tue, Mar 19 2013

Xpressive Handz is Now on FaceBook
Xpressive Handz With the help of Author Shanna Groves, Xpressive Handz now has a FaceBook page. Come take a peek, and "like" the page, if you feel inclined to do so. I will be sharing items there from others that don't make it into my blog posts, but are worth taking time to read. Since it is newly created, there isn't a whole lot published there as yet. It is, and will be a work in ...
Mon, Mar 18 2013

For New Deafies...and Some Older Ones Like Me
Xpressive Handz I have a copy of this book, "A Survival Guide for New Deafies!" written by Amy Sargent. Even though I have had hearing loss longer than Amy has, I found this book to not only be helpful, but offer a few tips and perspectives I was missing out on. If you or someone you know is dealing with hearing loss, I would suggest getting a copy of this book for them and their fam...
Thu, Mar 14 2013

"Stolen Futures"
Xpressive Handz I saw this video posted by my friend, Sarah on her blog Speak Up Librarian.Many of you will recognize actor Jim Carter from "Downton Abbey" as the spokesperson. [link] you are a citizen of the UK, you can sign the petition to stop the cuts for services for deaf children created by National Deaf Children's Society here:  [link]
Tue, Mar 12 2013

My Opinion of the Issues Portrayed in "Uprising"...
Xpressive Handz I finally watched "Uprising", the latest "Switched at Birth Episode". It left me with a lot of thoughts swirling in my brain, but it wasn't until there was a conversation about the program in the Signing Time Instructor's group discussing issues with Nicole (you will find a link to her website below), that I was able to put those thoughts into adequate words. Here ar...
Fri, Mar 08 2013

A Dinner Conversation at Our House
Xpressive Handz I thought our little fellow asked at the dinner table, "How do you get sex?" I asked, "What do you want to know about sex?" to find out what angle to approach his question.Fabulous Husband said, "No, not sex... Checks"...
Thu, Mar 07 2013

History + Culture: "Switched at Birth" Revisits...
Xpressive Handz Monday March 4th is the air date for ABC's groundbreaking episode of "Switched at Birth" aptly titled "Uprising". The episode will be in ASL ONLY and  open captioned for ALL.This episode will explore the historical uprising of the student protest at Gallaudet University in 1988. The Daily Beast covers this story and the history   [link]
Sat, Mar 02 2013

How To Bully-Proof Your Preschooler: 6 Essential ASL Signs
Xpressive Handz Linda Easton, the Director of Marketing for Two Little Hands Productions (the creators of Signing Time)  put together a FABULOUS article "How To Bully-Proof Your Preschooler". It is packed with excellent information and tips for parents of young children.Parents everywhere are discovering that by giving their young children the ability to communicate through Sign Lan...
Wed, Feb 27 2013

Say What You Mean: Using Body Language to Send a Message
Xpressive Handz I recently received an email from Allison Morris of OnlineUniversities.com  who designed the graphics below regarding the importance of body language (  [link] . She had read a previous post of mine  regarding nonverbal communication (you can read that here)The perspective Allison and her colleagues share is somewhat different from what we tend to think. Often, ...
Mon, Feb 25 2013

New "willUstand" Music Video with some ASL and...
Xpressive Handz This duet is sung by siblings Charleigh and Justin Gere. Their mother, Heather invited young people from all over to take part in this moving music video calling us to action and to "stand". There are ASL signers incorporated into parts of the video. Heather also took the time to add the captions. Hop over [link] see what a wonderful movement these fabulous young ...
Thu, Feb 21 2013

How to Sign "I Love You" In 20 Different Languages
Xpressive Handz My friend Carol posted this video on FaceBook. David Lawson demonstrates 20 ways to sign "I love you" in 20 different languages.Valentine's Day is the perfect day to learn more signs of love. [link]
Thu, Feb 14 2013

"Happy Birthday" Two ASL Birthday Songs
Xpressive Handz I am amazed how many of my friends have birthdays this month! I thought this a perfect time to post this song by Rachel Coleman of Signing Time, and also share Daniel Green's traditional "Happy Birthday" showing a few variations of the sign for "birthday". [link]
Mon, Feb 11 2013

"We Are Deaf"
Xpressive Handz Allison Schely, author of "Forever Friends" shared this link on her FaceBook page this week. I love that "No Barriers" is now captioning their videos so those who hear, but don't know ASL can have access to what the episodes are all about. Here is a short clip of deaf people from around the world. "No Barriers" is a culturally rich program sure to entice anyone to co...
Thu, Feb 07 2013

"Spirit of Love" A Coach Who Uses ASL
Xpressive Handz I saw a tweet on Twitter by @aslmyheart and had to check it out the link she posted. I love all the info and stories people share on Twitter. This is a film, based on a true story is  about a deaf basketball team and a coach who signs, Mike "Stinger" Glenn. I'm looking forward to seeing this inspirational film by Darla Rae. Read more about Darla Rae at her website po...
Tue, Feb 05 2013

Valentine's Day Signs
Xpressive Handz It's February, and Valentine's Day is almost here. Here is Rachel Coleman from Signing Time to show us a few Valentine signs. [link]
Mon, Feb 04 2013