Apr 18 2008
About the Foundation
Today in the United States:
- There are approximately 547,194 children living with Autism. 27,000 more will be born this year.
- There are approximately 180,000 children living with cerebral palsy.
- There are approximately 102,591 children with Down syndrome. 5,125 more will be born this year.
- There are approximately 98,534 children with hearing loss. 4,922 more will be born this year.
- There are over 1 million children suffering from speech and language disorders.
- There are over 8 million pre-verbal infants and toddlers that are not old enough to speak.
These are just a handful of circumstances that can make verbal communication extremely difficult and in some cases impossible. Sign language may be the only way for many children with special needs to communicate, and the only way for the tens of millions of typically developing children to communicate with their peers with special needs. Sign language serves children as a diverse community, and all children can benefit from the social and educational advantages achieved by including sign language in their learning regimen.
“The mission of the Signing Time Foundation is to create a world in which all children can express themselves and be understood. “
The Signing Time Foundation supports the following initiatives:
Signing Time on Public Television
The Signing Time Foundation supports the first television series that speaks to and educates children of all abilities. Signing Time is an entertaining and educational children’s television show that teaches American Sign Language (ASL) vocabulary using an innovative, multi-sensory approach that reaches children of all learning styles. Signing Time began airing on public television stations nationwide in 2006 and went from being relatively unknown to having over 80% national cumulative carriage. It is the only show on national television teaching children to sign. Public television does not pay for programming, and in order to keep Signing Time on public television, the Signing Time Foundation is seeking funds of $1.43 million for 13 episodes at a production cost of $110,000 each. Major sponsors will receive screen credit at the beginning and end of each program.
Signing Time Outreach
Rachel Coleman, the President of the Signing Time Foundation and the host of Signing Time, participates in Signing Time outreach events across the country to teach ASL vocabulary and to educate parents, teachers, caregivers, and communities on the value of including sign language in their children’s learning. During these events Rachel teaches 40-60 basic ASL signs and entertains audiences with songs and stories to reinforce those signs. Signing Time offers a variety of resources and support materials for parents and children with special needs that are available at the events as well as readily available online. We are seeking funds of $240,000 to present 24 Signing Time Outreach events over the course of one year, at a production cost of $10,000 each. Major sponsors will be recognized at each event.
Signing Time Special Interest DVDs
Signing Time has made a positive impact on the lives of many families of children with special needs, prompting the Signing Time Foundation to fund production of special interest Signing Time DVDs for children with hearing impairment, autism, Down syndrome, and other special and medical needs. We anticipate 5 DVDs at a production cost of $150,000 each. The foundation will license out DVD sales, with royalties going back to the foundation.
Signing Time Christmas Concert for All Children
The Signing Time Foundation plans to host a Signing Time Christmas Concert for All Children during the holiday season. This concert would be the first of its kind, serving in particular the families of children with special needs. Signing makes a profound difference in communication for many children with special needs, and is a fun way for typically developing children to learn and use their body. Signing Time brings these children and families together to celebrate the Christmas season by singing, dancing, and signing along with their favorite stars Alex, Leah, their pet frog Hopkins, and host Rachel Coleman. We are seeking funds at $75,000 per concert for production costs.
Signing Time Teaches in Africa
We have partnered with Signs of Hope International to take Signing Time to Ghana Africa. Organizations like Signs of Hope International have found that most teachers in Ghana are entering the deaf schools without proper sign language education. Because of the lack of suitable resources, deaf children in Ghana struggle to learn and progress. The Signing Time Team, including Signing Time host Rachel Coleman, along with Alex Brown and Leah Coleman, child stars of Signing Time, will head to Ghana, West Africa for 10 days to teach sign language to students that are deaf. The Signing Time Team will also help the teachers learn how to teach sign language. Signing Time is looking to make this a yearly trip, where they can help inspire, teach and show children the possibilities for the future. It is the goal of Signing Time to also build playgrounds and dormitories at the schools as well. We are seeking funding at $50,000 annually to take Signing Time to Ghana, Africa.
