Articles by JILLIAN WINN

10 Amazing Member Features of Signing Savvy

10 Amazing Member Features of Signing Savvy

By Jillian Winn
Sunday, February 10, 2019

If you haven't heard, it's our 10th anniversary! We are celebrating by sharing 10 amazing member features of Signing Savvy. If you’re already a member of Signing Savvy, these are 10 amazing features that you should know about… and use! If you’re not a member yet, these are great reasons to consider membership. Although many people have discovered Signing Savvy in one way or another, many have still not fully realized the benefits of becoming a full member, and all the ...
Signing Savvy Anniversary - A Lot Can Happen in 10 Years!

Signing Savvy Anniversary - A Lot Can Happen in 10 Years!

By Jillian Winn
Tuesday, January 29, 2019

This month is the 10th anniversary of the public launch of Signing Savvy. In those 10 years, nearly 22 million people have used Signing Savvy. When we set out over ten years ago to create Signing Savvy, we had a vision to create an online sign language resource for educators, parents, interpreters, students, or anyone interested in American Sign Language. Many people are shocked when they learn that 95% of all deaf and hard of hearing children are born to hearing parents. This ...
Signing Savvy Member App Updated to Version 2.6

Signing Savvy Member App Updated to Version 2.6

By Jillian Winn
Thursday, December 13, 2018

We just updated both the iOS and Android versions of the Signing Savvy Member App to version 2.6. The update modifies navigation through word lists and flash cards, based on user feedback. We moved the navigation controls to be above the video instead of below it. This reduces the chance that you accidentally tap on a tab while navigating. We also added "swipe gesture" support. That feature allows you to swipe left or swipe right to navigate through word lists and flash cards, in addition ...
Signing Savvy Member App Updated to Version 2.5

Signing Savvy Member App Updated to Version 2.5

By Jillian Winn
Friday, November 2, 2018

We just updated both the iOS and Android versions of the Signing Savvy Member App to version 2.5. The update primarily increases the app's performance, resolves some bugs, and adds support to the latest iOS and Android operating systems and devices. The update is recommended for all Signing Savvy members using the mobile app running iOS 9 or newer or Android v4.4 (KitKat) or newer. If you have not used the Signing Savvy Member App, it is a great way to access Signing Savvy on ...
International Week of the Deaf, Deaf Awareness Week, and International Day of Sign Languages 2018

International Week of the Deaf, Deaf Awareness Week, and International Day of Sign Languages 2018

By Jillian Winn
Sunday, September 23, 2018

On September 23, 2018, International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL) will kick off International Week of the Deaf (abbreviated as IWDeaf; used to be IWD), which is September 24-30, 2018 this year. You may also hear this week called Deaf Awareness Week, but the official name is International Week of the Deaf. This year is the first International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL). It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly and will be celebrated annually on September 23. The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) started International Week of the ...
Savvy Tutoring and Savvy Chats: So Much to Sign About, So Much to Learn

Savvy Tutoring and Savvy Chats: So Much to Sign About, So Much to Learn

By Jillian Winn
Friday, June 29, 2018

We first started our Savvy Chat service over a year ago and have since added Savvy Tutoring. These ASL sessions let you meet online, one-on-one with one of our signing experts, Marta Belsky, through video chat. In that time, Marta has had the pleasure of meeting with people from around the country to chat and practice ASL skills, as well as for tutoring on vocabulary development, receptive and expressive fingerspelling skills, and more... one-on-one 30 minutes online Each session is unique to meet the needs of ...
5 Cool New Features in the Updated Signing Savvy Member App

5 Cool New Features in the Updated Signing Savvy Member App

By Jillian Winn
Saturday, November 18, 2017

We did a complete rewrite to our Signing Savvy Member App this Fall for both Apple iOS and Android mobile devices. Since then, we have continued to release updates to the app to add more features and make tweaks based on feedback from our savvy members. The current version of the app, as of the date of this article, is version 2.4. The new app is 64-bit compatible (required for iOS 11), now supports the iPhone X display, and includes several new features. ...
Deaf American Jazz Singer and Songwriter Chooses to “Try” After Hearing Loss

Deaf American Jazz Singer and Songwriter Chooses to “Try” After Hearing Loss

By Jillian Winn
Saturday, June 10, 2017

Mandy Harvey starting singing when she was four. She sang in choral groups and music competitions in high school and she was recognized as the "Top Female Vocalist" at Longmont High School when she graduated in 2006. Mandy was then one of only fifteen students accepted as a vocal major into Colorado State University. However, Mandy suffered from reoccurring hearing problems and during her freshman year in college she lost hearing (110 decibels) in both ears.
The Importance of Early Exposure to American Sign Language with Deaf Children

The Importance of Early Exposure to American Sign Language with Deaf Children

By Jillian Winn
Thursday, November 3, 2016

Around 8,000 children are born deaf or hard of hearing each year in the United States. 95% of those children are born into hearing families. This means a few things – the majority of hard of hearing children are born into families that do not use sign language and their parents do not have previous experience with raising and educating a deaf child. The options and information may be overwhelming for parents, but just like raising any child, each child and family is different and there isn’t a “one size fits all” plan to execute. Luckily there is research to help serve as a guide.