American Sign Language Is Not a Signed Version of English
Did you know that American Sign Language (ASL) is a complete, natural language with its own grammar, syntax, and structure? Unlike what many people assume, ASL is not a visual representation of English — it’s a distinct and rich language used by the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) community. Closed captioning and written transcripts are not substitutions for ASL Interpreters.
For businesses, educators, and content creators, this means that simply adding English subtitles to videos is not enough to ensure accessibility. Many DHH individuals rely on ASL as their primary language, and written English may be difficult or inaccessible for them. That’s where professional ASL interpretation comes in — whether for pre-recorded videos, live events, or on-demand Video Remote Interpretation (VRI) services.
Do not let insufficient language support alienate your DHH audiences. Allow Language Services Associates (LSA) to help you use the right tools and services to effectively break down language barriers and communicate with your DHH community in their own language.
LSA proudly offers American Sign Language services provided virtually or onsite by highly qualified interpreters who are certified by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID). We remain up to date with the latest state requirements and actively review and update our records to ensure our team meets all necessary documentation and compliance standards. For onsite healthcare needs, our ASL team is security-cleared and maintains current immunization records. Additionally, we can seamlessly incorporate an ASL interpreter into your prerecorded videos.
Why ASL Interpretation Matters
Did you know ASL is the third most used language in the U.S. today? Think about how many people you’re currently not reaching because you don’t have effective ASL support.
Here are some important facts debunking common misconceptions about ASL:
ASL is highly expressive, using facial expressions, body movements, and spatial references to convey meaning — much like tone and inflection in spoken languages. Subtitles cannot capture these nuances, leaving DHH viewers without full comprehension or emotional context.
Many members of the Deaf community grow up using ASL as their first language, and their proficiency in written English varies. Providing an ASL interpreter ensures that your message is clear and accessible to everyone.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), businesses and organizations are required to provide effective communication access. By including ASL interpretation, you’re not only complying with the law but also demonstrating inclusivity for your audience.
With LSA’s professional ASL services you boost diversity, support equity and inclusion, improve productivity, and have the potential to expand your workforce with talented DHH prospects. Equitable access to language services is not just the law – it’s the best way to serve DHH individuals in your community.
How LSA Can Help
At Language Services Associates we provide:
- ASL Interpretation for Pre-Recorded Videos: Ensure your content is fully accessible with professional ASL overlay.
- Live Onsite ASL Interpreters: Perfect for conferences, meetings, and events.
- Expertise in ASL Linguistics: Our interpreters understand the cultural and linguistic nuances of ASL, delivering accurate and engaging communication.
Benefits of Choosing ASL Interpreters With LSA
24/7/365 live technical and customer service support
100% RID-certified ASL Interpreters
Subject-specific interpreters specialized in every sector
Security-cleared ASL interpreters with updated immunization records for onsite healthcare assignments
LSA Supports The Philadelphia Union
As the official Language Service Provider for the Philadelphia Union, our ASL interpreters allow Deaf and HOH fans to follow games with interpreted interviews, announcements, conferences, and more – on the field and online.
Make Your Content Truly Inclusive
Don’t let language barriers exclude the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. By incorporating ASL interpretation, you’re opening your content to a wider audience while fostering equity and inclusion.
Contact us today to discuss your ASL interpretation needs — let’s make communication accessible for all!
