Handy Conversations
Beyond Verbal Communication
American Sign Language Courses
Prenatal & Signing with Babies
Introduction to ASL
General Interest Courses
Deepen Your Connection Through Sign
Learn simple, everyday signs you can start using right away with your family, clients, and community.
Our signature ASL courses are designed for families and individuals seeking a professional, community-focused approach to early language development. They support those who may be experiencing hearing loss, struggle with verbal communication, or who are neurodivergent.
Professional ASL Instruction
Discover the Course that Works for You
Let's Begin with Some
"Handy Conversations"
Ready to bridge the communication gap? Reach out to schedule or ask about our upcoming Prenatal & Signing with Babies, Introduction to ASL and our General Interest Courses.
Prenatal Sign Courses
This course is tailored for people who are expecting and may have little or no experiences with ASL. You will learn basic signs to build a visual language foundation, fostering an immediate bond and begin early communication from birth.
- Bonding Early: Build a shared connection with your baby from day one.
- Reducing Stress: Ease daily frustrations by understanding your baby’s needs though visual cues.
- Feeling Prepared: Feel confident understanding and communicating with your child long before their first spoken words.
Signing with Babies Courses
This comprehensive course is designed for new parents, caregivers and early childhood educators. It provides essential information on how to support early communication, foster bonding and encourage language development from pregnancy through infancy.
We welcome families whose babies or young children are neurodivergent, experience communication challenges, or have hearing loss.
We also invite caregivers and early childhood educators to enroll in this course. You’re welcome to share any specific needs or areas of focus you would like us to address.
- Interactive Play: Learning through movement and visual cues.
- Expanding Vocabulary: Daily routines, bath time, and essential family signs.
- Building Foundations: Strengthening emotional closeness through early insight into your baby’s needs.
- Learn Practical Signs: Start with the basics—milk, more, eat, and sleep.
Introduction to ASL
This 3-hour, single session workshop is designed for adult learners who have little or no exposure to American Sign Language (ASL), and provides the foundational skills required to begin communication in ASL covering the fundamentals of ASL grammar and syntax while building a strong core vocabulary.
The Introduction to ASL Workshop is offered as ongoing one-on-one or group sessions.
Not sure which course is right for you?
General Interest ASL Courses
Explore ASL classes designed for anyone curious about signing, from complete beginners to those looking to build on the basics.
General Interest Course 1
(GIC 1)
This course is for individuals who already have some, even limited, experience with American Sign Language (ASL) and serves as a beneficial progression for those who have completed the "Introduction to ASL Workshop", building upon foundational skills and encouraging further language development.
To ensure a collaborative learning environment, these classes are held in group sessions. The schedule for this class will be set and shared with participants once enough registrations have been received.
General Interest Course 2
(GIC 2)
The GIC 2 is designed for individuals who have successfully completed the GIC 1, and who are seeking to advance their proficiency in ASL. This next stage offers participants the opportunity to further enhance their language skills through engaging instruction and collaborative practice.
This class also requires a minimum number of student to proceed in a group setting.
Meet Your Instructor
Hello, my name is Laurie Graham. I am a Hard of Hearing, Certified CHS SN (Canadian Hearing Services Signing Naturally) ASL Instructor.
Professionally, I have over 30 years of experience bridging communication, accessibility, and inclusion for d/Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind individuals as an Educational Interpreter, Deafblind Intervenor, and Freelance Instructor.
Within the education field, I have supported students in a Deafblind Literacy Program, served as Program Coordinator and Instructor for the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board’s General Interest ASL courses, and I was the Program Lead for the Baby Sign and ASL Summer Camp for Children at the Ottawa Deaf Centre.
After developing ‘Baby Sign Classes’ in both Ottawa and Carleton Place, Ontario, I was invited by the Parent-Child Guide Book to write an article on "Communication: Infants and ASL", published for Lanark, Leeds and Grenville in June 2009.
I understand that starting a new language can feel intimidating, but I want to reassure you: no prior ASL experience is needed for our Introduction to ASL Workshop or our Prenatal & Signing with Babies Course. I create a warm, judgment‑free space where absolute beginners can relax, ask questions, and learn at their own pace. Together, we’ll build the skills and confidence to make everyday moments more connected through sign. Your ASL journey starts here!
I'll ensure you will leave our courses feeling confident and capable of real connections with the people you care about.
I look forward to hearing from you, and guiding you through your signing journey!
- Certified ASL Instructor with 30+ years of experience across diverse roles and settings.
- Skilled at supporting complete beginners, intermediate signers, and neurodivergent learners in a calm, patient, and encouraging way.
- We focus on real‑life, everyday signs you can start using at home right away.
- Passionate about bridging communication gaps within our communities.