Signing Says...more than mere words is an Orange County based business that provides an array of services including infant, youth and adult signing, after school programs, private tutoring, group lessons, in-home instruction, working with Special Needs, support with transitioning to a life of hearing loss and interpreting.
My name is Deborah M. O'Hara, and I am the sole owner and operator of Signing Says...more than mere words. Having been raised by Deaf parents, my background and experience with American Sign Language (ASL) is firsthand and priceless. As a result, I have more than 49 years of signing skills and knowledge of Deaf Culture. In addition, I have passed National Interpreting Certification (NIC) and am a certified member with Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID).
Work experience includes full and part time positions as an Educational Interpreter for the Tustin Unified School District, Santa Ana Unified School District, Coast Community College District. contract instructor for the City of Newport Beach. In addition to current freelance assignments, I am a substitute Interpreter for the Orange County Dept. of Education and Santa Ana Unified School District, contract freelance Interpreter for Accent on Languages, American Conference Services, Dayle McIntosh Center, Global Language Solutions, Interpreting Services Int'l., Nationwide Interpreter Resources, Geneva Worldwide Interpreting, UBIQUS NY, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., and many others. I am also a Certified Instructor of Sign2Me, an international organization dedicated to developing and providing the necessary resources and support to help establish communication between hearing parents and their hearing children through the use of ASL. For more information about Sign2Me, please visit http://www.sign2me.com/.
Over the years, I’ve met so many people who have “always wanted to learn American Sign Language” for one reason or another. But, just as there are so many people wanting to learn, there are that many reasons stopping them. The most common reasons were that either not many places offered classes, they didn’t have the years it took to learn or didn’t know where, when or how to use their skills. Signing Says...more than mere words invites you to discover the solution to those concerns: private sessions, in the comfort of you own home, office or other location, customized to fit your own situation, learning ability and schedule.
I am a firm believer that ASL is for everyone, regardless of age or learning ability. My theory of teaching ASL is to make it fun, while showing you ways to make connections with individual signs. The environment is relaxed, yet very productive and various activities keep it far from mundane.
In addition to learning ASL, I provide opportunities to meet at local events to put what you’ve learned to the test in casual and non-intimidating environments. Whatever your reasoning or needs, whether you're 9 weeks old or 99 years old, allow me to show you a different realm of communication. You'll be very surprised to learn just how true it is that:
SIGNING SAYS...more than mere words.
Deborah M. O'Hara, Instructor/Interpreter
and Certified Instructor of Sign2Me
