Our research goal -

We are testing new 3D technologies with the aim to produce a annimated sign language text that will assist illiterate deaf people in the world to enjoy reading the Bible in their own sign language.

There may also be benefits from such research in the following ways:

o help children with reading challenges

o help visual learners in acqusition of foreign languages

o help increase literacy in both signed and written language

Research plan -

Phase One **Complete** -

Build a 3D pair of hands that is simple to use to create hand gestures.

Phase Two -

o Compile 3D gestures into a systematized Multi-language Gesture Repository.

o Invite helping Hands who would want to use the 3D pair of hands to create gestures in foreign sign languages. There are more than (100 sign languages, http://http://www.sil.org/ethnologue/special.html) in the world, so a world of helpers are needed. We are looking for few good helping Hands. Maybe you have a pair of hands to lend! Anyone that is good with a mouse can create gestures with the 3D hands program. Each gesture takes about one hour to make. And you do not need to know sign language to do this because you can watch the video of the gesture to see how to make the annimation.

o Invite Sign Interpreters who want to use their skill to multilply their reach to their nation. Are you living in one of these countries and have a command of the native sign language? If you have access to a Hi8 quality video camera and a friend to film you, you can submit your gestures to the Gesture Repository. Then the team of helping Hands around the world can use your hands as a model from which to craft a virtual gesture for each sign on your video. Quite possibly these virtual hands will tirelessly help for years to come:

- a child learn to read

- a parent learn to sign

- an adult have the independence to read for the first time.

Do you have the the time and skill to make this simple home movie?

Phase three -

o Experiment with ways of utilizating gesture text in various learning and living environments.

o Display these examples in an open forum and invite others to design and share their info-mercials of how they envision using gesture text for learning and life.

Phase Four -

o Invite Bible translators to virutally publish gesture text translations of the Bible in their target sign languages.

o Make these translations available in a Multi-language Gesture Text Bible Repository.