About ASL University | Established January 8, 1997

Established January 8, 1997

ASL University, also known as ASLU or American Sign Language University, is an online American Sign Language curriculum resource center hosted at Lifeprint.com. ASLU was established on January 8, 1997 and has provided online sign language instruction since 1997 under the direction of William G. Vicars, Ed.D.

Visit ASLU at Lifeprint.com More about ASL University

A long-running online ASL resource

ASL University was created during the early era of online education, when web-based learning resources were still uncommon. From the beginning, the goal was to make ASL instruction more available to students, families, and communities that (at that time) did not have easy access to in-person classes.

Founding date

American Sign Language University was established on January 8, 1997. ASL University has been in continuous operation since that time.

Public web presence

ASLU is hosted at Lifeprint.com, which serves as the public home of the curriculum, lessons, dictionary resources, instructional materials, and related information.

Official Business Name

Long Term Commitment

When ASL University was established January 8, 1997 it was with a commitment the future. In fact the founders registered the Lifeprint.com domain name for 100 years.

Founder linkage

The founder, William G. Vicars, Ed.D. the curriculum, "ASL University", and the domain, Lifeprint.com, are part of the same longstanding operation.

Founder background

ASL University was founded by William G. Vicars, Ed.D., also widely known as Dr. Bill.

About Dr. Bill

William G. Vicars, Ed.D., (a.k.a. "Dr. Bill" of ASL University) is a former full-time, tenured, full-professor, and researcher at Sacramento State University where he served as coordinator of the American Sign Language and Deaf Studies bachelor degree program. He is Deaf. He holds an earned doctorate in Deaf Studies / Deaf Education and has over 30 years of experience instructing and providing workshops in a wide variety of settings including internationally (Singapore, Guyana, etc.) in-person and online. He is the founder and director of ASL University at Lifeprint.com -- one of the world's most popular web destinations for learning about sign language and Deaf people. Through his YouTube channel at https://YouTube.com/@sign-language he shares ASL instruction with over 500,000 subscribers. He is married to Deaf culture researcher and pundit Bee Vicars, MFA, who is also Deaf.

Credibility

Dr. Bill's doctorate in Deaf Studies & Deaf Education is from from Lamar University which is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). He also holds an earned masters in Deaf Education from Lamar. Additionally at various points in time he has held: MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer), MCT (Microsoft Certified Trainer), A+ (COMPTia Computer Technician), N+ (Network Technician), ASLTA certification (American Sign Language Teachers Association), and "EdNet" (Distance Education Certificate). Most of which have probably expired (except the degrees, last we checked they don't have an expiration date).

Timeline

ASLU is not a recent project but a longstanding educational resource.

1997

ASL University is established

ASL University begins on January 8, 1997 as an online resource for American Sign Language learning and instruction.

Since 1997

Online ASL instruction continues

ASLU and Lifeprint.com continue publishing lessons, reference materials, and learning resources for ASL students, teachers, parents, and self-study learners.

Today

A recognized educational destination

ASL University remains associated with Lifeprint.com and Dr. Bill Vicars as a long-running online destination for ASL instruction and related resources.

FAQ

If you have questions about registering for an ASL class at ASL University, see:
"How to register for a class at ASL University"

When was ASL University founded?

ASL University was established on January 8, 1997.

Who founded ASL University?

ASL University was founded by William G. Vicars, Ed.D., also known as Dr. Bill.

What is the relationship between ASL University and Lifeprint.com?

ASL University, also called ASLU, is hosted at Lifeprint.com, which serves as the main public website for its lessons, curriculum, and learning resources.

What does ASL University provide?

ASL University provides online American Sign Language lessons, curriculum resources, reference materials, and related educational content for students, teachers, parents, and independent learners.