Building Bridges Through American Sign Language, Deaf Awareness, and Inclusion
I'm Debbie Lawrence, founder of Easy Signing. For more than 25 years, I have had the privilege of helping hearing and Deaf communities connect through American Sign Language, Deaf Awareness, and Inclusion training. From toddlers with tiny hands to seniors in their 90s with arthritic fingers, I've had the joy of watching thousands of students discover the beauty of sign language. My classroom is a place where people feel encouraged, successful, and excited to learn. My mission is simple: to transform communication barriers into connection, understanding, and belonging through American Sign Language, Deaf Awareness, and Inclusion training.
My connection to the Deaf community is more than professional—it is deeply personal.
My journey began with a simple sign language book purchased after hearing a missionary speak about Deaf ministry. What started as curiosity grew into a lifelong calling that became deeply personal. I experienced temporary deafness and blindness from viral encephalitis and later navigated life with a husband who became profoundly late-deafened from a glioma brain tumor. Sign language became the language of our home. We raised children we birthed from our hearts, including children with speech and communication challenges. Even our family collie learned to understand and respond to signs. Those experiences taught me something I carry into every class: Communication changes lives.
Local Impact. Global Reach.
My passion for Deaf communities extends beyond the classroom. I have traveled to and worked alongside Deaf communities in Guatemala, Jamaica, Haiti, Kenya, Denmark, England, Ghana, Zambia, and Uganda. These experiences have strengthen my understanding of Deaf culture around the world and reinforced the importance of language access for every Deaf child and adult.
One of my favorite teaching moments happened in Zambia, Africa . . . . .
In 2021, I assisted Zambia Deaf Vision in establishing the first Deaf Resource Training Center in Ndola, Zambia. The students who attended were Deaf youth between the ages of 10 and 18 who had experienced severe language deprivation. Many traveled from distant villages and had never attended school, held a pencil, owned a book, or had been given language access. One of our greatest breakthroughs came during a lesson on names and identity. After many creative teaching attempts, my Deaf partner and I presented a drama skit, playfully debating which names written on the board belonged to whom.
The Day Language Became Personal
Suddenly, the students understood. With excitement and pride, they began identifying their own names, fingerspelling them, and signing them. It was a true "Glory Hallelujah" moment. For the first time, they understood that the names they were learning belonged to them personally. That day marked a turning point. Language was no longer simply something being taught. It became a pathway to identity, self-worth, and belonging. Once the students understood who they were, real learning could begin. Today, I continue to teach, speak, train, and advocate because I believe communication is one of the greatest gifts we can give another person. So come on. Put your hands up and sign with me!
