MEDIA CONTACT:
\nDon Miller
\na3@academicaslapproach.com<\/p>\n
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <\/p>\n
Company Seeks to Fill Gap in Teaching Academic ASL to Deaf People <\/p>\n
Austin, TX [August 15, 2007] – In time for the new school year,
\neducational consulting company Academic ASL Approach, LLC (A3) is
\ngearing up to assist K-12 and post-secondary schools in establishing
\neffective academic ASL-driven bilingual Deaf education programs
\nthrough workshops, assessments and programming development. <\/p>\n
“Historically, Deaf students have been required to master English
\nbefore they achieve a metalinguistic understanding of their natural,
\nfirst language – which is American Sign Language (ASL),” said Erika
\nDomatti-Thomas, A3 co-owner. “As a result, Deaf students miss an
\nessential component in language learning when faced with the
\nchallenging task of learning a second, auditory-based language.” <\/p>\n
She added, “Having ASL as a first language is crucial to the
\nacquisition of English as a second language. Yet Deaf ASL users do
\nnot receive this training. Rather, they are expected to learn
\nacademic English without academic ASL training.” <\/p>\n
Don Miller, A3 co-owner, agrees. “We Deaf signers need to take
\nownership of ASL by having an in-depth, full understanding of its
\ngrammar. After all, Deaf people have the right to be literate in
\nASL.” <\/p>\n
A3 is one of the ways Domatti-Thomas and Miller hope to work with
\nschools to add academic ASL to their current language program through
\ncurriculum and trainings at schools. Both Domatti-Thomas and Miller
\nare college instructors who have been instrumental in developing
\ncurriculum for and teaching academic ASL to Deaf students for several
\nyears. Both also bring K-12 teaching and curriculum development
\nexperience to A3. <\/p>\n
A3’s workshops, based on three years of empirical data and many years
\nof experience, include a brief review of language theory, formalized
\nacademic ASL training for the classroom, academic ASL grammar and
\ncurriculum development, and academic ASL within the English
\nclassroom. A3 also offers other types of services, including
\nassessments and consulting, ideal for K-12 teachers and
\nadministrators, along with Deaf education instructors and\/or
\nstudents. “Through trial and error, and curriculum planning and
\nteaching, we’ve developed skill frameworks, assessments, teaching
\ntechniques, and technology tools that really work,” Domatti-Thomas
\nsaid. <\/p>\n
“A3 was formed after we both realized that there was very little
\ntraining available to school administrators, teachers, and even
\ninterpreters on establishing and implementing formal academic ASL in
\nschools,” Miller said. “A3 fills this gap through various services
\nand trainings that have been carefully crafted and researched. As a
\nresult, we’ve had a tremendous response, and are looking forward to
\nworking with even more schools and universities across the nation.” <\/p>\n
For more information, visit http:\/\/www.academicaslapproach.com
\n . <\/p>\n
ABOUT THE A3 OWNERS <\/p>\n
Erika Domatti-Thomas, an assistant professor of Deaf ESOL at Austin
\nCommunity College, teaches reading and writing. Erika earned her
\nbachelor’s degree in Deaf education from the University of Texas and
\nher master’s degree from Gallaudet University. She began her career
\nas a high school English teacher and then later as an English
\ncurriculum specialist at the California School for the Deaf, Fremont,
\nbefore working with Austin Community College to develop a program that
\nnow serves close to 200 Deaf students. She also co-owns the
\neducational consulting company Academic ASL Approach, LLC. <\/p>\n
Don Miller, an adjunct professor of Deaf ESOL at Austin Community
\nCollege, teaches reading, writing, L1 ASL Grammar and L1 ASL
\nLiterature. Don earned his bachelor’s degree in American Sign
\nLanguage from Gallaudet University and his master’s degree from
\nMcDaniel College. After a few years of teaching elementary school,
\nDon joined the Austin Community College team where he developed the
\ncollege’s current L1 ASL Grammar curriculum. In addition, Don co-owns
\nAcademic ASL Approach, LLC. <\/p>\n
# # #<\/p>\n
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MEDIA CONTACT: Don Miller a3@academicaslapproach.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Company Seeks to Fill Gap in Teaching Academic ASL to Deaf People Austin, TX [August 15, 2007] – In time for the new school year, educational consulting company Academic ASL Approach, LLC…<\/p>\n