Filling the ASL Education Void in Vermont: Our New Focus on Community Classes Post-2014.

The Depth of the Loss: A Turning Point in 2014

In the history of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities in Vermont, the year 2014 marks a profound loss. That year, the Vermont Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VCDHH) closed its doors, taking with it a broad spectrum of vital services.

Crucially, this closure also meant the end of the Austine School for the Deaf. Since the VCDHH served as the non-profit organization that ran the school—a respected educational institution since 1904— Austine was part of that centralized umbrella that provided statewide services.

The closure of the VCDHH umbrella, which included educational programs, community support, and the Austine School, left a devastating void that stretched far beyond the Brattleboro campus.

The Missing Link: ASL Classes and Cultural Connection

Among the many critical services that vanished in 2014, the accessible, community-based American Sign Language (ASL) classes provided by VCDHH were one of the most keenly missed.

For nearly a decade, Vermonters who wanted to connect with the Deaf community found themselves facing:

• A Lack of Consistency: The reliable schedule of ASL classes for the general public evaporated, replaced by scattered, often temporary, or location-specific options.

• Barriers to Authenticity: Many aspiring students struggled to find instructors who were Deaf or had deep, authentic ties to the local Vermont Deaf community—a connection that VCDHH naturally provided. Learning ASL is meaningless without learning Deaf Culture, and that cultural anchor was gone.

• The Educational Gap: This left family members of Deaf children, educators, first responders, and medical professionals unable to gain the proficiency needed to communicate effectively, limiting accessibility and inclusion across the state.

  
  

We watched for years as this linguistic and cultural infrastructure remained fractured.

A New Chapter: The Establishment of ASLTree LLC

In light of this persistent and unmet community need, we established ASLTree LLC in early January 2025. Our company was founded with a direct mission: to rebuild a critical piece of the community fabric lost in 2014: a dedicated, high-quality hub for ASL education.

We recognize that no single organization can replace the full scope of the VCDHH. Instead, we are laser-focused on excellence in one area: building on the legacy of those institutions by championing the accessible community education they once provided.

Our Commitment to the Vermont Community:

1. Culturally Grounded Instruction: Our classes are taught by instructors who are culturally Deaf or fluent signers. You will learn the language as it is authentically used, complete with the non-manual markers and cultural context essential for respectful communication.

2. Community-First Approach: We are here for the everyday Vermonter—the healthcare worker, the parent, the teacher—who needs this skill to build a more inclusive state. Our class offerings are designed to be accessible and supportive for all stages of learning.

3. Honoring the Legacy: Every class we teach helps to fill the educational gap left by the closure of Austine and VCDHH, helping ensure that the local Deaf community has allies and people to communicate with in every corner of Vermont.

   
   

If you have been waiting for a place to learn ASL and become a stronger ally to your Deaf neighbors, your time is now.

➡️ View our upcoming class schedule and help us rebuild connection in Vermont: ASLTree.net/classes