Deaf Studies Students & Interpreters Resources
Below, you’ll find a collection of helpful links and resources tailored specifically for Deaf Studies students and interpreters. Whether you are studying ASL, learning about Deaf culture, working toward certification, or simply growing as a future professional, this page was created to support your journey.
We’ve gathered study materials, practice tools, educational platforms, and community support resources we believe will benefit you academically and professionally. Our goal is to make finding quality information easier—no more searching through scattered websites or social feeds just to find what you need.
To make exploring even simpler, you can now filter the resources by category. Click any button below to view content specifically for your area of interest—whether that’s ASL practice, interpreter preparation, Deaf culture research, certification study, or general learning tools.
This page is continually evolving, and we are committed to keeping it fresh, relevant, and useful to students and interpreters at all stages. If you know a resource we should add, have suggestions for improvement, or would like to collaborate or share materials, please contact us. Your feedback helps us expand this page so it can serve as a stronger resource for students everywhere.
Together, we can build a space where learning is accessible, support is easy to find, and growth is encouraged. Keep checking back—we’re just getting started.
Deaf Mentoring Sessions (Virtual) – Free for South Carolina Families
DEAFinitely Fun is excited to share a valuable opportunity provided by Beginnings SC for families of Deaf and Hard of Hearing children. From February 2 through March 31, 2026, families can participate in virtual Deaf Mentoring sessions with Elyssa, a Deaf adult who brings lived experience, cultural knowledge, and ASL expertise.
Each session begins with introductions in ASL, followed by open conversation and guided practice. Participants can ask questions about Deaf culture, communication, language development, and daily life experiences. An ASL interpreter will also be available throughout the Zoom session to support communication as needed.
These mentoring sessions offer families the chance to:
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Practice ASL with a Deaf adult
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Gain insight into Deaf culture and identity
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Build confidence in supporting their Deaf/HH child
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Ask questions in a supportive, family-centered environment
Available Dates: February 2 – March 31, 2026
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Cost: Free for families of Deaf/Hard of Hearing children in South Carolina
To register or learn more: Email kelli@beginningssc.org
This program is an incredible way for families to deepen their understanding of Deaf culture while strengthening communication and connection at home.
NCAD Conference 2026
2026 Conference
The North Carolina Association of the Deaf will host its 2026 statewide conference — a gathering for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals, interpreters, students, and community members. Attendees can expect workshops, presenters, networking opportunities, and discussions focused on advocacy, accessibility, education, and Deaf community support. A great opportunity to learn, connect, and be part of strengthening the Deaf community in North Carolina. More details coming soon.
COMING SOON!
Scholarships
We are looking for scholoarships. We will post them here momentarily.
South Carolina - NAIE
EIPA
NAI South Carolina is the state chapter of the National Association of Interpreters in Education, focused on establishing and upholding regulations that govern educational interpreters—such as compliance with Regulation 43‑243.2 scheduled to begin in August 2025 . They collaborate with institutions like Clemson University’s South Carolina Educational Interpreting Center and the SC School for the Deaf and Blind to support interpreter training, certification, and mentorship. Through this coordinated network, they aim to ensure high-quality ASL interpreting services and equitable educational access for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students statewide.
NAOBI
Local and National Deaf Organizations
NAOBI‑DC (National Alliance of Black Interpreters – DC Chapter) is a nonprofit professional network founded in 1999 to uplift and empower African American/Black sign language interpreters. They provide mentorship, continuing education units (CEUs), workshops, community events, and advocacy to advance members’ leadership and interpreting excellence . By connecting interpreters with resources, fellow professionals, and opportunities, NAOBI‑DC fosters recruitment, networking, and professional development with an emphasis on cultural responsiveness.
The Legal Interpreter
Support Groups
The Legal Interpreter is a private Facebook group of approximately 4,000 legal sign language interpreters dedicated to peer support, professional growth, and sharing industry-specific insights. Members regularly post questions about handling courtroom situations—like preparing for Federal Court exams, test clients, or law enforcement interpreting workshops—and share information on mini‑courses and CEU opportunities . The group serves as a go-to hub for networking, mentoring, and staying current in the legal interpreting field.
Educational Interpreter Support Group
Support Groups
Educational Interpreter Support Group is a private Facebook community specifically for sign language interpreters working in educational settings. Members use the space to discuss practical challenges like classroom dynamics, IEP meetings, and working with teachers or state guidelines. It offers peer mentorship, question-and-answer threads, job leads, and shared resources—all aimed at improving practice and support for educational interpreting.
Interpreter & Translator Peer Support Group
Support Groups
Interpreter Peer Support is a private Facebook group that brings together sign language interpreters and interpreter students for mutual support, resource sharing, and peer mentorship. Members connect to ask questions, discuss best practices, offer advice on interpreting challenges, and share job leads or CEU opportunities. The group fosters a welcoming, collaborative environment dedicated to professional growth and peer empowerment.
ASL Interpreter Certification Test Prep: NIC, BEI, EIPA, CASLI, CDI
Support Groups
ASL Interpreter Certification Test Prep is a private Facebook group for American Sign Language interpreters and students preparing for certification exams like NIC, BEI, EIPA, CASLI, and CDI. It serves as a collaborative forum to share study strategies, testing resources, peer support, and exam insights—especially for those aiming to pass interpreting tests through discussion and advice.
ASL Interpreter Trainings, Events, and Conferences that offer CEUs
Support Groups
ASL Interpreters & Trainees Hub is a private Facebook group that brings together current and aspiring American Sign Language interpreters for networking, learning, and mutual support. Members share job leads, continuing education events, classroom strategies, and interpreting resources, while also offering encouragement through certification journeys. The group serves as a supportive and inclusive space for professional growth and community engagement.
ASL Fingerspelling Practice
Apps for ASL Practice
ASL.ms is a free, web-based toolkit focused on helping learners practice ASL fingerspelling through adjustable-speed quizzes and drills originally designed for college students but now available to everyone . The site also provides insights into Deaf education, baby-signing for hearing children, and ASL linguistics, highlighting its roots in Deaf-led learning.
SignSchool
Apps for ASL Practice
SignSchool is a free, video-based ASL learning platform offering a modular curriculum, interactive exercises, and quizzes on both web and mobile (iOS/Android). You can browse thousands of signs by category or handshape, reinforce learning through the “Fingerspelling Game” and “Sign of the Day,” and use slow-motion playback for clarity and precision . Ideal for beginners and intermediate learners, it’s praised for its diverse signer representation and engaging review tools, though some users note limited in-depth lessons and occasional fast-paced quizzes.
ASL Bloom
Apps for ASL Practice
ASL Bloom is a freemium platform by SignLab that offers 20+ engaging, gamified modules—each with video lessons, quizzes, visual dictionary access, and grammar/cultural tips—to help beginners learn American Sign Language at their own pace . With spaced repetition, progress tracking, and AI-powered retention support, users can effectively build conversational skills and retain over 1,300 signs and sentences. Praised by learners for its structured, phrase-based approach and fun learning experience, ASL Bloom is a strong choice for those starting out or looking to deepen their ASL knowledge.
ASLdefined
Apps for ASL Practice
ASLdeafined is a subscription-based Android app offering comprehensive American Sign Language video lessons and an extensive 18,000+ sign dictionary taught by Deaf experts, tailored for learners of all ages—including Deaf students, parents, and the wider community . With themed lessons, retention exercises, quizzes, customizable vocab banks, and progress tracking, it delivers a structured and interactive ASL learning experience.
Sign Language ASL Pocket Sign
Apps for ASL Practice
Sign Language ASL Pocket Sign is a free Android app by MobiReactor that offers hundreds of bite-sized video lessons, an ASL dictionary, and quizzes to help users learn sign language gradually . With over 1 million downloads and a stellar 4.8‑star rating from nearly 28 K reviews, it’s praised for its clear teaching style—though some lessons and flashcards are gated behind a daily free lesson or subscription. Designed for learners of all ages, it also includes baby signs, the alphabet, and everyday phrases in a fun, interactive format
Download a list of ITP's in NC from NCDHHS
Interpreter Training Programs
North Carolina Sign Language Studies & Interpreter Education Programs Directory provides a statewide, regularly updated (last in March 2023) listing of colleges, community programs, and private providers offering ASL instruction or interpreter training across different regions of North Carolina . Hosted by the NC Department of Health & Human Services’ Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, it clearly labels each institution as offering Sign Language Studies, Interpreter Education Programs, or Private Classes, but stops short of endorsing any particular offering. The resource also highlights free, virtual ASL courses and encourages learners to subscribe to the DSDHH events calendar or reach out to regional specialists for customized or small-group classes.
Click below to download a list of ITP courses.
ASL-to-English Reverse Dictionary
Online ASL Dictionaries
HandSpeak® is a long-standing, free web app offering one of the oldest and most extensive online ASL video dictionaries, created by Deaf educator Jolanta Lapiak since 1995. It features a “Sign of the Day,” searchable finger‑spelling and reverse‑dictionary tools, and detailed tutorials on grammar, linguistics, baby-signing, and Deaf culture—complete with adjustable playback speed and printable resources. Learners at all levels—from beginners to advanced—appreciate its self-paced, exploratory layout, tools to build vocabulary lists and quizzes, and a vibrant “Kid Signing” section tailored to private study or classroom enrichment.
2026 Annual Conference – South Carolina Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (SCRID)
2026 Conference
Join SCRID in the historic city of Charleston, South Carolina for a three-day event geared toward professional development, networking, and community building among interpreters and service providers.
This conference is a fantastic opportunity to:
Earn continuing education units (CEUs)
Connect with fellow interpreters, mentors, and colleagues
Explore best practices and emerging trends in the field
Participate in workshops, panels, and interactive discussions
Southern Baptist Conference of the Deaf (SBCD)
2026 Conference
Southern Baptist Conference of the Deaf (SBCD) is a nationwide ministry dedicated to connecting, equipping, and encouraging Deaf Southern Baptists. Through annual conferences, resources, and local church support, SBCD provides a welcoming space for Deaf believers to grow in faith, fellowship, and leadership. Committed to making the Gospel accessible in American Sign Language, SBCD empowers the Deaf community to share Christ’s love and serve in His mission together.
North Carolina - NAIE
EIPA
NAI North Carolina is the North Carolina chapter of the National Association of Interpreters in Education (NAI), dedicated to establishing and enforcing statewide standards for educational interpreters under the NC Interpreter and Transliterator Licensing Act. It collaborates closely with the NC Interpreter and Transliterator Licensing Board—which sets credentialing requirements like national certification or interpreter training degrees—and the Department of Public Instruction, which oversees interpreter classifications in schools . Currently, legislation is advancing to remove exemptions for educational interpreters, making licensure mandatory from the 2025–2026 school year onward.
NIC/CASLI
NIC/CASLI
CASLI Exams for RID Certification outlines the testing pathway administered by the Center for Assessment of Sign Language Interpretation (CASLI) to determine eligibility for national credentials through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID). Candidates must pass the two-part CASLI Generalist Knowledge Exam—which includes a Fundamentals section and an Ethics & Cultural Responsiveness case-study portion—and then complete the appropriate CASLI Generalist Performance Exam tailored to either Deaf or hearing interpreters; previous NIC and CDI exams have been retired, and bridge or gap tests may apply for those transitioning from older versions . Additionally, all exam components must be passed within a specified testing cycle (usually five years, extended in some cases), and fees vary depending on exam type and RID membership status.
Interpreters Helping Interpreters (IHI)
Support Groups
Interpreters Helping Interpreters is a private Facebook support group for deaf and hearing sign language interpreters, as well as interpreter training students. It serves as a collaborative space to share resources—like continuing education tips, job leads, mental‑health support, and technical advice—with a focus on peer mentorship and professional growth . Whether you're studying, working, or preparing for certification, the group fosters a supportive community dedicated to advancing interpreting excellence.
Spanish/English Healthcare Interpreters and Translators
Support Groups
Interpreters of Medical Spanish is a private Facebook group that connects Spanish–English medical interpreters, healthcare professionals, and trainees. Members share job leads, continuing education opportunities, terminology resources, and best practices for working in clinical settings. It's a supportive online community for networking, professional development, and navigating the healthcare interpreting field.
Black Interpreters Club
Support Groups
K-12 Interpreter Peer Support is a private Facebook group designed for sign language interpreters working in K–12 educational settings. It offers a space for members to share resources, discuss classroom strategies, get advice on IEP meetings and curriculum access, and offer mutual support. The group fosters a tight-knit community aimed at enhancing interpreting practices and educational outcomes for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
Court Interpreter Oral Exam Training
Support Groups
Court Interpreter Exam Prep is a private Facebook group where aspiring court interpreters gather to prepare for the oral exam, share study tips, and form peer support networks. Members ask and answer questions about test formats, preparation resources, and strategies specific to Federal Court and state certification exams . It's a focused, collaborative space for those working toward official court interpreting credentials.
Discover Interpreting!
Support Groups
ASL Interpreters Connect is a private Facebook group uniting ASL interpreters, students, and professionals from diverse backgrounds. It’s a dynamic forum for sharing job opportunities, continuing education events, best practices, and classroom or field interpreting tips. With a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, the group supports ongoing professional development and community-building among sign language interpreters.
The ASL App
Apps for ASL Practice
The ASL App is a Deaf‑led, conversational American Sign Language resource offering over 2,500 signs and phrases taught by native signers. It features slow‑motion playback, favorites for review, and on‑the‑go usability—no subscription required, just a one‑time purchase to unlock all content . Designed for casual practice in everyday settings, it is praised for its clean video-based instruction and intuitive navigation
Lingvano
Apps for ASL Practice
Lingvano – Learn ASL is a subscription-based online platform offering bite-sized, interactive video lessons in American Sign Language taught exclusively by Deaf instructors, complete with quizzes, vocabulary trainers, and a handy sign dictionary . Its gamified learning experience—including streaks, adjustable video playback, and a mirror feature for practicing your signing—makes it engaging and effective.
Hands On ASL
Apps for ASL Practice
Hands On ASL is a free iOS app that uses interactive 3D hand models—zoomable and rotatable in 360°—to teach you ASL fingerspelling through engaging quizzes and real-time practice . It features multi-level exercises where you can beat your own high scores and unlock rewards, with customization options like different skin tones
COMING SOON!
Study Guide
We’re putting together study guides for you. Once they’re ready, we’ll share them here.
Signing Savvy
Online ASL Dictionaries
Signing Savvy is a comprehensive online and mobile ASL video dictionary featuring thousands of high-resolution clips of signs, fingerspelled words, numbers, and full sentences—each enhanced with descriptions, memory aids, and context examples . Beyond simple lookups, it lets users build custom word lists, take digital flashcard quizzes, view printable handouts, and adjust video playback speed—making it a dynamic tool for learners, educators, and interpreters. Developed by Deaf educators and instructional designers, Signing Savvy supports self-paced learning with engaging tools tailored to visual language acquisition.