My holiday wishlist (updated): learning Sign, and more
Update: Ive made a little bit of progress on this goal
I havent yet found a good time for tutoring, but my local community college seems to run classes and I am investigating them!
Original post:
I was concerned about gifting and consumerism related to the holiday. I was thinking of something for a “wishlist” of a reasonable kind to share with family who might give me gift. I joked with friends about making some silly arbitrary demands or something. Just having fun.
Then, with a friends prompting, I came to consider more than just physical gifts to suggest. What if I asked for support to learn a new skill and experience something new?
It ticked all the boxes: Learn some of a new language. American Sign Language. In Person.
It was a chance to learn outside of the home. To learn in person most of the time ideally, and do something with a physical component free from a computer.
For Christmas this year Im asking my relatives to consider maybe a small gift but mostly to support me with an experiental hobby and professional interest in accessibility.
Either a book, or a subscription to a resource, or direct support for lessons… Im extending my wishlist as such to anyone who might want to give me a gift. Help me learn instead of any “thing” in particular.
The goal: Engage with American Sign Language (ASL) in person, while also studying some New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL).
In 2026 I want to take physical in person classes. And then supplement with video and written materials of which there are many. Whether it takes some of my contribution or those of family, I want to learn some Sign Language from two hemispheres of the Earth.
Fun Fact: I once met an MP in New Zealand and discussed New Zealand Sign Language policy as I was researching it at University for one of my research papers.
Why are you doing this? You aren’t very hard of hearing right now…
- It is great to take healthy interests in other cultural practices and communication builds the fabric of society
- I am passionate about accessibility and learning about a practical communication skill will help keep me well rounded as Im already learning a lot about non-visual communication
- Im interested in Sign Language for various joyful reasons including exercising different areas of my brain
- Ideally I will get a chance to learn from and communicate with Deaf and authentic users of the language, and compensate them if they teach.