The Hands United Immigration Fund ensures that Deaf and Hard of Hearing immigrants have meaningful access to the immigration system through language access, advocacy, and community-based support.Your donation helps cover the cost of qualified sign language interpreters and language access services for immigration-related appointments, legal consultations, interviews, and Know Your Rights education—situations where communication is critical and access is often denied or delayed. This fund also supports coordination with attorneys and service providers to ensure Deaf immigrants can fully understand their options and participate in their cases.This fund directly supports access, not detention or legal outcomes. Contributions help remove communication barriers by ensuring Deaf immigrants are not excluded due to lack of interpreters, unfamiliar systems, or limited literacy in English or their native language. Support may also include education about rights and processes in accessible formats.In addition, the Immigration Fund allows Hands United to develop accessible Know Your Rights materials, community workshops, and language-appropriate resources tailored to Deaf immigrants from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.With your support, Deaf immigrants gain more than services—they gain understanding, agency, and the ability to advocate for themselves. Your donation helps ensure that immigration processes are accessible, dignified, and rooted in language justice.

Around the World: Foreign Sign Languages & Deaf CulturesDates: Sundays, June 14 – August 2Time: 9:00–11:00 AM PSTLocation: ZoomLanguage of Instruction: ASL (accessible to both Deaf/Hard of Hearing and hearing participants)Workshop DescriptionThis 8-week workshop series introduces participants to sign languages and Deaf cultures from around the world. Designed for interpreters, Deaf professionals, and community members working with multilingual Deaf populations, the series provides exposure to how Deaf communities communicate across countries and how cultural context shapes language use and interaction.Each week focuses on a different country and sign language, including French Sign Language (LSF), Korean Sign Language (KSL), Russian Sign Language (RSL), Filipino Sign Language (FSL), Pakistani Sign Language (PSL), British Sign Language (BSL), Kenyan Sign Language (KSL Kenya), and Colombian Sign Language (LSC).Using a structured visual format and interactive instruction, participants will learn foundational vocabulary, cultural norms, communication styles, and key distinctions between native sign languages and broader international signing systems. The series also explores how interpreters and professionals can better support Deaf individuals from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.Designed for professionals and community allies who work with Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, this workshop helps participants build confidence in cross-cultural communication and improve their understanding of global Deaf communities.This series focuses on exposure, awareness, and professional development and is not intended to provide full fluency in any one foreign sign language.Educational ObjectivesBy the end of the workshop series, participants will be able to:• Identify key differences between multiple foreign sign languages and explain how sign languages vary across countries and cultures.• Recognize cultural norms and Deaf community practices in different countries that affect communication, interaction, and interpretation.• Demonstrate basic familiarity with introductory vocabulary and common expressions from multiple international sign languages.• Apply strategies for working more effectively with multilingual Deaf individuals and foreign sign language users in professional and community settings.• Increase confidence in cross-linguistic communication and develop greater cultural awareness when engaging with global Deaf communities.Who Should AttendThis workshop series is designed for professionals and community members who work with Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals across multilingual and multicultural settings.Participants may include:InterpretersDeaf and hard-of-hearing individualsMultilingual signersEducators and school personnelSocial workers and case managersHealthcare providersCommunity organizers and nonprofit staffProfessionals working with Deaf communitiesStudents preparing to work in related fieldsThe workshop is taught in American Sign Language (ASL) and is open to both Deaf/Hard of Hearing and hearing participants.FacilitatorThis workshop series features Deaf instructors from diverse international backgrounds, each bringing lived experience, cultural knowledge, and native or primary fluency in their country’s sign language.Each instructor will introduce participants to Deaf culture in their country, explain important cultural norms, and teach foundational signs and everyday vocabulary from their language.Instructors:Yeh Kim - Korean Sign LanguageAndres Ricardo Sanchez Morales - Colombian Sign LanguageAbdul Haeeeb - Pakistani Sign LanguageVladislav Hariton - Russian Sign LanguageLeaky- Kenyan Sign LanguageTBA - British Sign LanguageTBA - Filipino Sign LanguageTBA - French Sign LanguageCEU InformationSign Language Studios (SLS) is an Approved RID CMP Sponsor for continuing education activities. This Professional Studies program is offered for 1.6 CEUs at the Little/None Content Knowledge Level.Participants may also attend individual sessions for 0.2 CEUs per session.CEUs require live attendance.Refund / Cancellation PolicyRefunds are available for cancellations made at least 3 days before the first workshop date.Accessibility and InclusionRequests for reasonable accommodations will be honored whenever possible.Hands United promotes an environment of mutual respect and inclusion and does not discriminate based on gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, hearing status, or any other protected class.