Community Inclusion Resources

The B.C. Provincial School for the Deaf focuses on the full learning potential and positive self-identity of each student. The school is partnered with the Provincial Outreach Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; a provincial resource program that supports all deaf and hard of hearing students who are attending school in their home school districts.

Kindergarten to Grade 12 programs are offered in partnership with:

South Slope Elementary where the emphasis is on language skills, problem solving, conflict-resolution, relationship building, and exploration of individual interests and talents

Burnaby South Secondary where students learn relationship and language development

Younger students get support with the transition into high school and challenges facing teenagers. Older students focus on preparing for post-secondary schooling and developing life skills.

Burnaby Online ASL

Burnaby Online (part of the Burnaby School District) offers two online ASL course options. These are available free of charge for current high school students. Students follow the same British Columbia program of studies and must meet the same achievement standards as students in traditional classrooms. The Intro ASL course will be accessed online with embedded video. Each student will receive a textbook and DVD to use as a reference. The student will need access to a webcam for this online ASL course. Assignments and projects will be submitted online and will be assessed by Burnaby Online teaching staff, all members of the BC College of Teachers. Adult learners can register for course for a registration fee of approximately $500.

Deaf Children's Society

The Deaf Children's Society of BC offers a range of American Sign Language courses, both online and in-person.

Douglas College Beginner ASL

Douglas College offers courses in American Sign Language for persons with little or no background in the language.

Douglas College Sign Language Interpretation

Douglas College offers an interpretation course for persons who are already skilled in American Sign Language and are looking to hone their interpretation and translation skills

Okanagan College Sign Language Courses

These courses are geared to those wishing to communicate with users of American Sign Language (ASL) in social and work related situations. Students can expect to learn the basics of conversation. Learn about Deaf culture and ASL grammar in a fun and relaxed environment. An excellent course for Education Assistants, students in health care and education fields who work with deaf clients.

Okanagan Regional Library: ASL Programs

Multiple branches of the Okanagan Regional Library offer American Sign Language storytelling hours and other ASL programs. Inquire with the library for more info.

Provincial Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind children, and their families have a safe place where they can explore and achieve personal goals in an American Sign Language (ASL) and English environment. A full range of language development courses are offered

UBC Beginner Sign Language

This course is designed for those with no previous exposure to American Sign Language (ASL). The immersion approach is used to teach beginner level vocabulary and grammar. Participants will learn how to introduce themselves, discuss leisure activities, and learn about deaf culture. By the end of this class, they should be able to engage in simple conversations.

Vancouver Community College Sign Language Studies

Vancouver Community College ASL and Deaf Studies (Part-time studies) Vancouver Community College offers part-time evening classes in ASL (American Sign Language). Evening classes are offered from September to June. There is also a summer session which runs for six weeks for the months of July and August. All of our ASL instructors are native signers and active members of the Deaf community.

Interpretation Services

BC ASL Interpretation Services

The BC government provides a wide range of American Sign Language interpretation services

Interpreter Directory

An extensive directory of ASL interpreters for hire in BC

Wavefront Centre Sign Language Interpreting

Wavefront Centre provides several sign language interpreting services to assist those who use sign language as a primary mode of communication

Online Resources

Lessons

American Sign Language University Free Online Lessons

American Sign Language University offers an extensive collection of free online lessons and learning resources, including a fingerspelling practice tool, games, and a search feature that allows you to find signs to any word.

ASL Introduction: 25 Basic Signs

Learn basic but important signs through a very helpful YouTube video.

Baby Sign Language Lessons

Baby Sign Language lets babies, as young as six months old, communicate their needs more effectively.

Expert Village YouTube Sign Language Lessons

If you'd like to try out the basics of sign language before you commit to a whole course, try out these free videos.

Expert Village has a collection of videos to help you learn common phrases. Among other things, colors, everyday words, animals, and beverages are some of the topics of discussion. Each video is just a couple minutes in length.

HandSpeak

HandSpeak is a leading source to learn sign language online, offering ASL dictionary, grammar, lessons, fingerspelling, Baby Sign, and storytelling.

It's A Sign Life ASL Lessons

It's A Sign Life offers ASL courses online, available 24/7, on your schedule. Learn to sign on your laptop, tablet, smartphone or anywhere you have an internet connection and a screen.

Signing For Dummies Cheat Sheet

A guide of important basic signs, as well as some do's and don'ts of deaf etiquette.

Sign Language 101

Learn Sign Language online through instructive videos

Sign School

SignSchool is a free online sign language class that takes you through the basics and then moves you through lessons that progress in difficulty. However, you can select any difficulty you want if you're already knowledgeable; pick between Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. Besides the lessons, there's also a fingerspelling game and the sign of the day.

Start ASL Online Lessons

Start ASL offers around 40 units of lessons spread across three classes, with lots of videos for easy learning and printable workbooks for answering questions. Units are set up in such a way that you start off easy with the basics and then move toward the harder signs, such as conversation practice and storytelling. There is also a set of units for learning to fingerspell.

The ASL App

The ASL App is all about teaching conversational ASL. Packed with 1800+ signs and phrases, easy navigation and features, with different signers, The ASL App is designed to make learning easy, accessible, and fun.

Games and Practice

ASL Fingerspelling Tool

Choose The Sign

A multiple choice game in which you choose which word is being signed in each image

Name That Colour

Can you name the colour being signed in each image? Try this fun quiz and learn some ASL!

Sign Language Forum

The Sign Language Forum provides a range of games and resources to learn and improve on sign language

Sign Language Printables

Printables can be helpful to keep on hand for reference. From printable letters of the alphabet represented in sign language, to useful common words and phrases.

What's The Number?

A number is signed to you, and then you have to respond with that number. Customize the range from 0 to almost 1 billion!

BC Disability

BC Disability

You & Me BC

Spencer van Vloten

Community Inclusion Resources