Angel Ramos Foundation

National Sponsor

Welcome to the Angel Ramos Foundation website. On this website you will find several programs we have developed including OptiSchool - a FREE, online instructional tool to help elementary Deaf children read at grade level. OptiSchool can also be used by hearing children and parents to learn American Sign Language. Additional programs being developed include a parent blog, Manipulative Visual Language, (MVL), ASL Books and On-line training for parents and interpreters. Please login to have full access to our programs. (NOTE: OptiSchool is currently off-line due to switching to a new program).

Special thanks to our Sponsors for helping to make these instructional tools available to you.

Emails for Small Business with Constant Contact

Manipulative Visual Language (MVL)

MVL is a set of colorful blocks that makes it easy for children, and adults, to master English grammar. It is a FUN tool that removes the stress of learning English.

MVL is excellent for English Language Learners, Deaf and hard of hearing children, and anyone who has difficulty learning the English language.

To learn more about MVL and to order MVL materials just go to the MVL link on the menu bar above.

ASL Children's Books

(COMING SOON)

On this site you will find children's books that include a Deaf person signing the story in ASL. These books can be used by parents to read to their Deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) child.

With these ASL Children's Books, D/HH children learn to enjoy reading, their vocabulary increases, while parents learn ASL and develop a greater bond with their D/HH child.

Learn ASL On-Line and Earn CEU's

(COMING SOON)

We offer courses for interpreters and ASL students who want to improve their ASL skills. These courses can also be taken for CEU credits.

We also offer courses for adults who want to learn basic ASL and others who want to learn ASL for specific fields - such as audiologists, fast food employees,and nurses. There will be a small fee for these courses.

To see which courses are currently available click here.

Instructions for Using OptiSchool

(NOTICE: Due to programming issues, we have decided to develop a new platform for OptiSchool. OptiSchool will be off-line until the new program is completed. We apologize for the inconvenience.)

Each OptiSchool lesson has two parts - (1) Vocabulary Lesson and (2) Picture Dictionary. Each 'Vocabulary Lesson' teaches six ASL signs along with reading and writing exercises. The 'Picture Dictionary' has drawings of each sign taught that can be printed and made into a book. Young children can color these drawings and make their own ASL Dictionary.

To begin using OptiSchool, just click on 'Lessons' on the top menu and then select: Kindergarten - Lesson 1 - Vocabulary Lesson. Login using the Demo info provided. After the student has completed a lesson you can print drawings of the ASL signs for that lesson. Just go to 'Lessons' and select: Kindergarten - Lesson 1 - Add to your Picture Dictionary.

You can view the first four lessons without a login address. In September we will provide a new lesson each week, and ask you to login with your own login info. We will inform you when new lessons are available and send you our monthly newsletter.

Please note that OptiSchool is FREE. OptiSchool is funded by donations from organizations and individuals like yourself. If the OptiSchool lessons benefit you and/or your child, please consider making a donation to the Angel Ramos Foundation so that we can continue the work we are doing.

Enjoy.