Advancing early language acquisition for deaf children through quality educational programming in American Sign Language
Welcome
Join our efforts to make “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” accessible through American Sign Language! This valuable resource “Mister Rogers’ ASL Friends” has been proven to bring over 70 signs to families with deaf children through one, 30-minute episode!
Deaf children more than anything need access to language. American Sign Language provides 100% accessibility leading to command of a first language (L1). From here, the sky’s the limit! Fluency in a first language is the number one predictor of success in a second language (L2) or written English.
Let’s raise the 4th grade ceiling for literacy for deaf children in America by introducing them to the rich, timeless programming of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Fred Rogers carefully crafted each program to the developmental needs of 3-5 year olds. By adding Deaf signers, “Mister Rogers ASL Friends” becomes an essential language model for young deaf children and their families.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to promote language acquisition for deaf children, while supporting family communication, through early educational programming in American Sign Language (ASL).
Background
October 3, 2005, ASL Readers, Inc. (currently ASL Friends, Inc.) incorporated with the intention of raising literacy levels for deaf high school graduates through early language intervention. On November 3, 2006, our organization received tax-exempt 501(c)3 status from the Internal Revenue Service for the purpose of adapting spoken and written English educational materials into ASL creating accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.
Contact Us
| contact@aslfriends.org | |
| 928 Brodhead Road Suite 4 Moon Twp, PA 15108 |
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| 724.713.1402 |
Board of Directors
Kimberly Nussbaum
Founder, President & Treasurer
Kimberly has witnessed many changes in children’s media in the past 20 years. “It is a true honor to be a part of the team making Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood accessible through American Sign Language (ASL).”
She studied ASL as her four-year language requirement at the University of Arizona and interpreting at Pima Community College. An opportunity to work with deaf children at the Arizona School for the Deaf (ASDB) changed her course of study to Deaf Education. She went on to earn her Master’s Degree at the University of Pittsburgh.
After a brief career teaching in the classroom, she landed her dream job as full-time Mom to three sons! Dr. Paul and Kimberly have shared life together for over 40 years! With Paul’s expertise in Neuropsychology they often collaborate on the benefits of ASL on Brain Health. Together they enjoy life through the eyes of their four grandchildren…
Susan Di Iorio Miller
Founding Board Member & Vice-President
As a founding board member of ASL Friends, Sue has helped to steer the organization from its infancy and continues to support multiple needs as they arise. With her experience in production, she has taken the lead to oversee the production projects of ASL Friends.
Susan graduated from Rosemont College with her degree in Social Science and a concentration in Psychology. She currently works with Dr. Nussbaum and is a champion on the Paddle Court.
Together with her husband Tom, they have two sons.
Laura Clark
Secretary & Assistant Treasurer
Laura is a dynamic executive, adept to working in an entrepreneurial environment within financial services, and serves ASL Friends as our Secretary and Assistant Treasurer.
Media & Awards
Nonprofit group welcoming deaf children into 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood'
Kristi Locklin
Staff Writer
Pine Creek Journal, 2008
The Pine resident established ASL Readers Inc., a nonprofit group that is working to bring American Sign Language to “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.”
Pilot Project Introduces Sign Language to Mister Rogers Neighborhood
Neighborhood News
April, 2009
Even though Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, like all PBS programming, offers closed captioning, most preschool children cannot yet read the captions that scroll across the bottom of the screen.
PRHS Students Develop Website Designs for ASL Readers, Inc.
Rachel Hathhorn
Pine-Richland School District 2011
Pine-Richland High School students take their classroom lessons into the real world. Students in Teacher Valerie Klosky’s fourth-period web page design class helped design the American Sign Language (ASL) Readers, Inc. first web page.
[read more]
ASL Friends, Inc receives 2017 Best of Pittsburgh Award
Pittsburgh Award Program
June, 2017
ASL Friends Inc has been selected for the 2017 Best of Pittsburgh Ward in the Community Organizations category by the Pittsburgh Award Program.
Each year, the Pittsburgh Award Program identifies companies…
[read more]
Give to ASL Friends!
Any funds solicited for ASL Friends, Inc. are not being solicited by, or on behalf of, Fred Rogers Productions.