SLS ASL Class Deaf Event-
All ASL Classes, new signers or advanced signers, Deaf, DeafBlind or Hard of Hearing community members welcome!

This is the end of the Summer ASL Classes Wrap up event. Come and hang out one last time with us this summer as we close out of first round of ASL classes!

Duration: 8-week course
Frequency: Once a week
Session Length: 90 minutes
Instructors: Deaf native ASL users
Curriculum: Standardized to cover ASL fundamentals with opportunities to continue to take more advanced courses building upon the foundational knowledge gained during this program.
Target Audience: Ages 16 +
Platform: Virtual classes hosted on Zoom (instructions for Zoom provided for ease of use)

NO CLASSES WEEK OF JULY 4

Duration: 8-week course
Frequency: Once a week
Session Length: 90 minutes
Instructors: Deaf native ASL users
Curriculum: Standardized to cover ASL fundamentals with opportunities to continue to take more advanced courses building upon the foundational knowledge gained during this program.
Target Audience: Ages 16 +
Platform: Virtual classes hosted on Zoom (instructions for Zoom provided for ease of use)

NO CLASSES WEEK OF JULY 4

Duration: 8-week course
Frequency: Once a week
Session Length: 90 minutes
Instructors: Deaf native ASL users
Curriculum: Standardized to cover ASL fundamentals with opportunities to continue to take more advanced courses building upon the foundational knowledge gained during this program.
Target Audience: Ages 16 +
Platform: Virtual classes hosted on Zoom (instructions for Zoom provided for ease of use)

NO CLASSES WEEK OF JULY 4

SLS ASL Class Deaf Event-
All ASL Classes, new signers or advanced signers, Deaf, DeafBlind or Hard of Hearing community members welcome!

Please bring a dish for this event!

Water will be provided by SLS.

Celebrate Independence Day 2024 with headliner Chris Young along with YOLA, Girl Named Tom, Blessing Offor, and more at the FREE family-friendly Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th event in Downtown Nashville. This Fourth of July will feature one of the largest fireworks shows in the country, with the pyrotechnics synchronized to a live performance by the GRAMMY-winning Nashville Symphony.

ASL Interpreters on main stage provided by SLS

2nd annual ASL Swim Party!
Come join us as we eat pizza and splash around in the pool!

Family friendly event, come one and all!

SLS ASL Class Deaf Event-
All ASL Classes, new signers or advanced signers, Deaf, DeafBlind or Hard of Hearing community members welcome!

Ice Cream Social for ASL Classes and the Deaf community.

Ice Cream provided by SLS.

Duration: 8-week course
Frequency: Once a week
Session Length: 90 minutes
Instructors: Deaf native ASL users
Curriculum: Standardized to cover ASL fundamentals with opportunities to continue to take more advanced courses building upon the foundational knowledge gained during this program.
Target Audience: Ages 16 +
Platform: Virtual classes hosted on Zoom (instructions for Zoom provided for ease of use)

NO CLASSES WEEK OF JULY 4

Duration: 8-week course
Frequency: Once a week
Session Length: 90 minutes
Instructors: Deaf native ASL users
Curriculum: Standardized to cover ASL fundamentals with opportunities to continue to take more advanced courses building upon the foundational knowledge gained during this program.
Target Audience: Ages 16 +
Platform: Virtual classes hosted on Zoom (instructions for Zoom provided for ease of use)

NO CLASSES WEEK OF JULY 4

Duration: 8-week course
Frequency: Once a week
Session Length: 90 minutes
Instructors: Deaf native ASL users
Curriculum: Standardized to cover ASL fundamentals with opportunities to continue to take more advanced courses building upon the foundational knowledge gained during this program.
Target Audience: Ages 16 +
Platform: Virtual classes hosted on Zoom (instructions for Zoom provided for ease of use)

NO CLASSES WEEK OF JULY 4

Get ready to celebrate with us as SLS proudly marks its 2-year milestone and our grand opening to the public! Join us for an unforgettable Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on May 29th, from 11am to 2pm CT. It's a momentous occasion, and we're thrilled to share it with you. Come be a part of the excitement and festivities – we can't wait to celebrate this special day with all of our valued friends, supporters, and community members!
Refreshments will be served after cutting is complete.

Presentation Description:
The concept of “identity” is an important consideration within Deaf culture. How one identifies themselves within the complicated relationships and associations found in Deaf culture often determines what level of acceptance and involvement a person experiences in the community of Deaf people. Because there is no “one size fits all” category of identity in Deaf culture, it is important that individual Deaf people have a chance to determine what that means for themselves and also to explain it to others in a safe environment that fosters listening while discussing alternative perspectives.

This presentation aims to provide that safe environment where the development of one Deaf author’s unique identity is described via an ASL “reading” within a portion of his novel. This “reading” is followed by an ASL story regarding the crazy way his Deaf identity was sparked during an incredibly isolating experience. Participants will have the opportunity to add their insights and questions as well as learn about the successes and challenges this Deaf author has experienced in making his story available in the larger world of the publishing industry.

Workshop Description:
Throughout history, there has been a consistent pattern of rewriting rules and narratives over time. American Sign Language (ASL), as a dynamic language, is shaped by its Deaf users. The influence of pop culture and the evolving needs of the new generation contribute to the constant evolution of ASL. This phenomenon is also evident in the realm of mental health for the Deaf community, where ASL terminology undergoes changes, especially as more Deaf mental health professionals enter the field.

Join Josh for a captivating two-hour presentation that illuminates the historical and contemporary signs in the mental health space. Gain insights into how the past and present contribute to shaping ASL, and explore the potential future developments as suggested current trends.

Group Book Study Description:
With the guidance of the Deaf author, participants in this study group will explore Deaf culture and gain an authentic glimpse into the Deaf experiences of the main characters. The study guide is designed to deepen the understanding and appreciation of the novel’s themes through thought-provoking questions and discussion points.

Small groups meet one hour a week for a total of 6 weeks according to the following schedule:

            -Week one: Meet the author and get to know each other.  Set a reading schedule and 
agree on discussion leadership for specific sections of the novel/study guide.

            -Weeks two through five: With the guidance of the author, individual group members 
take turns leading the group discussions around the study guide questions and prompts.

            -Week six: Submission of study guide answers and final wrap up discussion around
personal reflections and applications of growth and learning.

The aim of this book study is to allow participants an opportunity to interact with a published Deaf author who has written a full-length fiction novel with Deaf Characters and discuss story elements plus themes that align with components of Deaf culture.  The primary objective is that students will demonstrate an in-depth understanding of Deaf culture and the cultural traits associated with it via discussion and written responses to a study guide and short personal reflection essays where they explain how certain cultural traits and themes compare with and apply to their own culture.
In reading this novel, having discussions with the author and other participants, plus responding to study guide prompts and questions, participants will immerse themselves into the Deaf-experience of certain characters. This immersion helps participants identify with outlooks, struggles and responses these characters have to the world around them.  By engaging in a literary group novel study format, participants will develop leadership skills in guiding the group along during parts of the novel. Participants will engage in discussions which lead to deeper understanding and application of ASL linguistic elements and Deaf culture traits as they apply to different types of people and the larger, dominant society and culture that surrounds them.