If you’re deaf or hard of hearing, getting the support you need can be a challenge. This can be especially true if you’re new to the Deaf community and unfamiliar with the local service providers who may be able to help you communicate, connect with others in the community, and just feel more comfortable in your own skin as you learn this new language and culture. However, by knowing what resources are available and learning how to access them, you can get the support you need and begin to participate in this vibrant community of people who share your unique experience.

Introduction

Speaking a different language is no small task. Especially when you have to learn how to write, speak and read the language while still speaking and writing in your native language. Not only are there tons of grammar rules that can be confusing enough on their own, but then you need a lot of practice with vocabulary as well. Unfortunately for most people, they’re not able to get all the practice that they need from their own community or online without hiring a tutor because there just aren’t enough qualified local SIL providers in your area!

What is SIL?

SIL stands for sign language interpreter and is a sign language that is used in the United States and around the world. The American Sign Language (ASL) is also known as ‘SIL.’ ASL has its roots in French Sign Language, which was brought over by deaf children sent away from their homes to be educated. In 1817, a school opened in Hartford, Connecticut which had many deaf students enrolled. Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet was employed at this school as a teacher of the deaf and he wanted to find an appropriate way for his students to communicate with their peers, who were hearing.

What services do SIL provide?

SIL is a non-profit organization that provides services for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Local service providers offer services such as American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation, captioning, and speech-to-text. They also offer video relay interpreting, social work, and deaf education. Some of the local providers in your area include:

Who are the local SIL service providers?

SIL service providers are an important part of the language access community and there are a lot of them out there. The first step for any business is identifying which services they will require, which can be difficult without knowing who does what and where in your area these providers are located. That’s why we created this list of local SIL service providers, as well as links to their websites so you can learn more about what they offer.

Conclusion

SapphireSupport is proud to be a local SIL provider in the community, and we hope that this list of providers will help you as you navigate your way through the process. If you have questions about any of these providers or need assistance getting connected, please contact us. We’re here for you! We’re so glad that you made it all the way to the end of this blog post. We want to make sure that our customers are aware of all the great service providers out there, especially when they don’t happen to live in a major city like Denver or New York City. That’s why we wrote up this blog post for our customers-so they can get on their computers, smartphones, tablets and laptops-and see what local SIL service providers are available nearby them.