Sign Language & Multi-Modal Communication Lab

07/25/2026

Happening this Sunday (7/26) at Ann Arbor’s Downtown Library!

From the library’s website: “Sean Forbes is a nationally recognized deaf rapper, hip-hop artist, and activist whose performances are as powerful to watch as they are to hear. Blending music, rhythm, and American Sign Language, Sean performs his songs while signing every lyric, creating a fully accessible and visually dynamic experience for audiences of all abilities.

Through his music, Sean explores themes of identity, accessibility, and resilience, sharing his personal journey as a deaf artist in the music industry. His performances offer audiences a fresh perspective on what live music can be.

Join us for an unforgettable performance that celebrates creativity, inclusion, and the universal power of music.”

Sean Forbes: Deaf & Loud When Sunday July 26, 2026: 2:00pm to 3:00pm Add to Calendar / Add to Google Calendar Where Downtown Library: 1st Floor Lobby For Whom Grade K–Adult Description Sean Forbes is a nationally recognized deaf rapper, hip-hop artist, and activist whose performances are as...

04/27/2026

Join us for a panel discussion featuring AAC users! Welcome to all!

Please RSVP here: https://forms.gle/qx6zRx41HvFvb5c29

WHEN: April 29th, 2026

WHERE: Virtual (bit.ly/UMAACpanel)

TIME: 1:30-3:30 PM EST

Generously made possible by the Larry Motola Linguistics Fund, established to support the development of curriculum projects and research related to cognitive process and conditions, and their interaction with language and neurodiversity.

04/07/2026

Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) systems and devices create access and promote equity when using signed or spoken language is a barrier. Typically, these individuals with expressive language impairment have disabilities like autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, and others. AAC devices can also be used by those who need temporary assistance, like those recovering from surgery. As the name suggests, these devices are used to add to the individual's existing communication and give them the opportunity to fully realize their communication capabilities.

AAC devices come in many different forms. Some lower tech options include pointing to letters, pointing to pictures, gestures/facial expressions, and picture exchange communication systems. High tech options include using an app on a digital device and using a speech-generating device. One person's AAC may include one or multiple of these options, they are all part of the communication system.

Join our AAC From All Sides Zoom panel to learn from AAC users, speech-language pathologists, educators, engineers, as well as assistive technology specialists about using and improving AAC systems so that we can all communicate more inclusively.

WHEN: April 9th, 2026
WHERE: Online
TIME: 2:30-4:00 PM EST
CART captioning & ASL-English Interpreting provided

Please RSVP here: https://forms.gle/6HUGV6Ar8ywvTAok6

Generously made possible by the Larry Motola Linguistics Fund, established to support the development of curriculum projects and research related to cognitive process and conditions, and their interaction with language and neurodiversity.

04/03/2026

Check out our new lab website!

www.signgesturelab.org

Welcome to the Lab! The Sign Language and Multi-Modal Communication Lab is dedicated to exploring human communication across signed, spoken, and gestural modalities. We study a diverse range of signed languages, including American Sign Language, Black ASL, Turkish Sign Language, Nicaraguan Sign Lang...

02/19/2026

https://lsa.umich.edu/linguistics/news-events/all-news/recent-news/the-art-of-gesture--linguistics-students-unlock-multimodal-commu.html

The LING 497 Capstone Seminar gives upper-level linguistics students the opportunity to delve deeper into different aspects of the field. Students are encouraged to bring their interests to class, explore topics in depth, and synthesize their learning through discussion and independent research. Thi...

02/16/2026

Join us as we explore organizations centering neurodiversity and disability from the local community! Groups will table in the Union, talk about the work they are doing, and advertise ways to get involved! This event will include a sensory/quiet space, local organizations from UM and Ann Arbor area, adaptive sports, and catering.

Welcome to all!

Generously made possible by Larry Motola Linguistics Fund, which funds the development of curriculum projects about cognitive processes and conditions and their interaction with language.

Please RSVP here: https://forms.gle/7YeuxUcdqDhXuGMfA

Where: Anderson Room - Michigan Union 1st Floor

When: Monday, February 23rd

Time: 3:00-5:00 PM EST