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Building Language. Strengthening Families. Inspiring a Love of Reading.
Shared Reading Project
The Shared Reading Project (SRP) is a family-centered literacy program designed to help parents and caregivers read books in American Sign Language (ASL) with their Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing child.
Through hands-on training, mentorship, and engaging resources, SRP empowers families to make storytime meaningful, accessible, and joyful — regardless of their ASL fluency level.
Shared reading between parents and deaf children, using American Sign Language (ASL) to bridge to English text, is crucial for developing bilingual literacy, expanding vocabulary, and fostering comprehension.
What Is the Shared Reading Project?
The Shared Reading Project (SRP) helps families build strong early literacy foundations by combining ASL storytelling with English print awareness.
At its heart, SRP strengthens the bond between parent and child while supporting healthy language and brain development.
Goals
Why Early ASL Exposure Matters
For Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing infants, early access to rich, visual language is essential. Language access in the early years supports brain development, literacy growth, social-emotional skills, and long-term academic success.
When children experience stories in a fully accessible language, they develop vocabulary, comprehension, imagination, and confidence.
Strengthen parent-child connection through shared reading experiences
Develop early literacy skills in both ASL and English
Empower parents and caregivers to confidently tell stories — regardless of ASL experience
Support early language exposure, which is critical for cognitive and social development
How the Shared Reading Project Works
SRP provides families with the tools, guidance, and community they need to make reading in ASL a natural part of daily life.
Family Training & Workshops
Parents and caregivers participate in engaging workshops where they learn:
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Strategies for reading books using ASL
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How to make storytime interactive and visually engaging
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Bilingual techniques that connect ASL storytelling with English print literacy
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Practical tips for building vocabulary and comprehension
Book Bags & ASL Storytelling Resources
Families receive curated book bags that include:
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ASL-friendly storybooks
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Instructional DVDs or video links
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Access to recorded ASL storytelling sessions for at-home reference
These resources help families practice and build confidence between sessions.
One-On-One Mentoring
Each participating family is paired with a Deaf mentor or fluent ASL reader who provides:
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Personalized support
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Modeling of expressive storytelling techniques
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Encouragement and guidance tailored to the child’s needs
This mentorship ensures families feel supported every step of the way.
Virtual & In-Person Reading Sessions
To make the program accessible and flexible, SRP offers:
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Live storytelling events
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Virtual learning opportunities
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On-demand video resources
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In-person workshops and community gatherings
Benefits for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Infants
The Shared Reading Project supports growth far beyond the pages of a book.
Early Language Acquisition
Exposure to rich, visual language during infancy supports strong brain development and communication skills.
Improved Literacy Skills
Children build stronger reading comprehension, vocabulary, and language fluency through consistent, accessible storytelling.
Enhanced Family Communication
Parents and siblings grow more confident using ASL, strengthening everyday communication at home.
Social-Emotional Development
Sharing stories through visual expression fosters imagination, emotional understanding, and connection.
Every Story Builds a Foundation
When families read together in ASL, they are doing more than sharing a book — they are building language, confidence, and lifelong connection.
The Shared Reading Project ensures that every Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing child has access to rich, meaningful storytelling from the very beginning.