American Sign Language Teachers Association

I'm looking forward to my first meeting with the Georgia chapter of American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA) at Decatur in Georgia this Saturday at the local GACHI office.

ASLTA is an non-profit organization that has eight objectives. To provide a closer relationship between teachers of American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf Studies and other organizations with interests consistent with the mission of the Association. To provide development opportunities for ASL and Deaf Studies teachers. To develop and maintain certification standards for ASL teachers and programs offering ASL and Deaf Studies courses. To certify ASL teachers and programs offering Deaf Studies courses. To develop standards and procedures for the accreditation of training programs, facilities and personnel involved in the education of teachers of ASL and/or Deaf Studies. To develop and maintain a national directory of members, certified teachers, and certified ASL and/or Deaf Studies programs. To provide an effective avenue for the exchange of information regarding methods and materials in the instruction of ASL and Deaf Studies. To encourage the development and maintenance of affilated chapters.

My intention for the meeting is to add a 9th objective. To have every high school in America to offer ASL classes. I'm not an ASL or Deaf Studies teacher but I am a strong advocate of ASL, not just for the deaf but for the hearing, for those who use English as their second language, and for those who have multiple disabilities.

ASL in high schools mean more teachers, professionals, and interpreters for the deaf. They are our future to better services for the deaf.