Ask People if They Know ASL
With a parent or teacher, ask friends, family, or neighbors if they know ASL, practice simple signs, and record friendly responses to learn about inclusion.
Step-by-step guide to ask people if they know ASL
Step 1
Ask a parent or teacher for permission to do this activity and tell them you will ask people if they know ASL.
Step 2
Make a short list of five friends family or neighbors you can politely ask with your adult's help.
Step 3
Pick three simple ASL signs to learn for the activity like hello please and thank you.
Step 4
With your parent or teacher learn how to make each of the three signs using your cheat sheet.
Step 5
Practice each sign three times with your hands until you feel confident.
Step 6
Decide if you will write short notes or draw quick pictures to record answers and get your notebook and pencil ready.
Step 7
With your adult go to the first person on your list and politely ask "Do you know any ASL?" in a friendly voice.
Step 8
If they know ASL ask them to show one sign and copy it once; if they do not know ASL show them one of the signs you learned.
Step 9
Write down or draw their response and how they reacted in your notebook right after you talk to them.
Step 10
Repeat Steps 7 to 9 with at least two more people from your list until you have at least three responses recorded.
Step 11
Review your notes with your parent or teacher and talk about what you learned about sharing signs and being inclusive.
Step 12
Share your finished notebook of responses drawings and what you learned on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have the notebook, pencil, or cheat sheet listed in the instructions?
If you don't have a notebook, pencil, or printed cheat sheet (Steps 4 and 6), use a parent's phone or tablet notes app to record answers and open a free online ASL cheat sheet on the screen to learn the signs.
What should we do if someone refuses to answer or seems confused when we ask "Do you know any ASL?"?
If someone refuses or seems confused when you ask "Do you know any ASL?" (Step 7), have your parent or teacher introduce you, offer to show one of the signs you practiced (Step 8), and quietly note their response and reaction in your notebook (Step 9) before moving on.
How can this activity be adapted for younger or older children?
For younger children, ask 1–2 familiar adults, learn one simple sign and record responses with stickers or drawings instead of writing (Steps 2–6), while older kids can learn 5+ signs, practice more than three times, and record short demonstration videos with permission to include when sharing on DIY.org.
How can we extend or personalize the project after we've recorded three responses?
After reviewing your notes with your parent or teacher (Step 10), turn your recorded signs and drawings into a colorful poster or mini-book, invite someone who knows ASL to teach an extra sign, and photograph or film your finished notebook to share on DIY.org (final step).
Watch videos on how to ask people if they know ASL
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Facts about American Sign Language and inclusion
🤟 American Sign Language is used by an estimated 250,000–500,000 people across the United States and Canada.
🧠 ASL has its own grammar and syntax that are different from spoken English — it's a full, natural language, not just gestures.
👀 Facial expressions and body movements in ASL act like punctuation and tone do in spoken languages.
🧩 Learning a few signs like “hello,” “thank you,” “please,” and “help” is an easy, friendly way to make places more inclusive.
🇫🇷 ASL was heavily influenced by French Sign Language (LSF) when deaf education methods from France arrived in the U.S. in the 1800s.
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