Articles by JILLIAN WINN

10 signs to know for Thanksgiving

10 signs to know for Thanksgiving

By Jillian Winn
Sunday, November 24, 2013

From THANK YOU to NATIVE AMERICAN to TURKEY, here is a fun, themed list of 10 signs to know for Thanksgiving.
Say Thank You and Use Polite Words

Say Thank You and Use Polite Words

By Jillian Winn
Thursday, November 21, 2013

As you are giving thanks this Thanksgiving, remember to show your love and appreciation for the special people in your life and be kind and polite to all. Learn about using polite words in this WonderGrove Kids animation featuring sign language from Signing Savvy. Developed by Educators, the Use Polite Words animation has accompanying lesson plans and extension lessons that align to the Common Core Standards for Pre-K through Second Grade. Plus, there are over 100 more animations at WonderGrove Kids. The ...
Pumpkin is a superfood!

Pumpkin is a superfood!

By Jillian Winn
Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Attention boys and ghouls! In the spirit of Fall and Halloween, learn about why pumpkins are a superfood in this WonderGrove Kids animation featuring sign language from Signing Savvy. WonderGrove Kids animated lessons with sign language are specifically designed for helping Pre-K, Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade kids. The animations are a fun way to learn and practice sign language vocabulary, while specifically designed to fit well with an Early Childhood Curriculum - they are perfect for daily use in ...
Recap of Deaf Awareness Week

Recap of Deaf Awareness Week

By Jillian Winn
Monday, September 30, 2013

Yesterday (Sunday, September 29) was International Day of the Deaf and the end of Deaf Awareness Week. Deaf Awareness Week, also called International Week of the Deaf (IWD), is celebrated annually and ends with International Day of the Deaf. Deaf Awareness Week is celebrated by national and regional associations of the deaf, local communities, and individuals worldwide. There are many ways to participate in Deaf Awareness Week. Here are some ways people around the U.S. recognized Deaf Awareness Week last week: In Las ...
Project Runway Designer Justin LeBlanc influenced by his deafness

Project Runway Designer Justin LeBlanc influenced by his deafness

By Jillian Winn
Wednesday, August 28, 2013

This season's Project Runway, includes Justin LeBlanc, a deaf designer and assistant professor at the College of Design at North Carolina State University. Justin is a talented designer with a background in architecture. He interned for Alexander McQueen and Nick Cave and was awarded a Louis Vuitton Scholarship while studying his master's degree. Justin was born deaf and says, "My deafness has always influenced my design aesthetic." Being deaf has made him a more visual person - he depends on sight in ...
Signing Savvy Member App now available on Kindle Fire via Amazon App Store

Signing Savvy Member App now available on Kindle Fire via Amazon App Store

By Jillian Winn
Saturday, March 9, 2013

The Signing Savvy Member App is now available on the Amazon App Store. Having the app on the Amazon App Store makes it easier to install the app on Kindle Fire devices. The Signing Savvy Member App has been available on the Apple App Store for iOS devices and Google Play for Android devices for some time, so we are excited to be able to offer it on the Amazon App Store now as well. The Signing Savvy Member App is for Signing Savvy full ...
Switched at Birth entirely in American Sign Language TONIGHT Monday, March 4

Switched at Birth entirely in American Sign Language TONIGHT Monday, March 4

By Jillian Winn
Monday, March 4, 2013

Tune into the television show Switched at Birth tonight (Monday, March 4th), to see the new episode "Uprising" told entirely in American Sign Language (ASL). It airs at 8/7 central time on ABC Family. It will be the first show on mainstream television to air in entirely ASL. The episode will have open captions for hearing viewers. The storyline was inspired by protests that happened 25 years ago this March at Gallaudet University. The real-life "Deaf President Now" protests began on ...
Happy Birthday and Member App Update

Happy Birthday and Member App Update

By Jillian Winn
Sunday, January 20, 2013

We launched Signing Savvy in January 2009 with the goal of creating a comprehensive online sign language resource.  Over the last four years the site has grown dramatically in content, features, and usage.  We are so grateful for the support of all of our active users.  It is you, our users, that make Signing Savvy so special. We particularly are thankful for our full members who allow us to continue to grow and maintain the site and enhance its features.  As we celebrate ...
Happy Holidays 2012

Happy Holidays 2012

By Jillian Winn
Sunday, December 23, 2012

From all of us at Signing Savvy, we wish you joy and happiness during this holiday season and all the best in ...
Braille Explained

Braille Explained

By Jillian Winn
Wednesday, October 10, 2012

There is sometimes confusion between the communication techniques used with deafness versus blindness, especially with understanding what Braille is and who uses it. It's not uncommon to tell someone you know sign language and then they ask if you know Braille. Braille is typically not used by deaf or hard of hearing individuals. It is a written language used by the blind and visually impaired who may have a hard time, or be unable to read written text. Braille uses patterns ...