Participants will analyze several commonly (and some not so commonly) used idioms and decide the best and most accurate way to convey the meaning of the idiom in ASL. Participants will learn why conceptual accuracy is extremely important and without it the meaning can be completely lost.

Using the book “Fingerspelling/Numbers A Worksbook for Interpreter Training Programs” by Kathryn Montoya, participants will gain an understanding as to the extreme importance of accurate fingerspelling. The Fingerspelling/Numbers Workbook will be used to teach techniques to improve both receptive and expressive fingerspelling skills. Participants will also learn techniques to allow students to use numbers in every situation accurately and effectively, both receptively and expressively.

Using the book “Fingerspelling/Numbers A Worksbook for Interpreter Training Programs” by Kathryn Montoya, participants will gain an understanding as to the extreme importance of accurate fingerspelling. The Workbook will be demonstrated and used to show instructors how to work with their students to improve both their receptive and expressive fingerspelling skills. Participants will also learn techniques to allow students to use numbers in every situation accurately and effectively both receptively and expressively.

Using the booklet “How to Start and Keep a Deaf Ministry” by Kathryn Montoya, this workshop teaches participants the basics of beginning a deaf ministry from how to gain church support to how to find and reach out to the deaf in their community. Participants will also learn about deaf culture and where are good places to meet the Deaf. Participants will also learn how to share their own testimony in ASL.

Participants will learn a variety of modern worship songs in ASL and by doing so will also learn many religious signs. Each song will be taught verse by verse then performed by the group with the music.

After experiencing adopting a deaf child of our own and going through all the red tape that is required, we have created some web listings and a workshop to help others through the process. We like to share with others reasons to adopt deaf children and the huge need that is out there for this.