James Madison University Wordmark

Sign Language Research Lab

Focus of Lab

Research currently being conducted in the Sign Language Research Lab is concerned primarily with sign language: hand preference in the acquisition of British Sign Language in young deaf children and changes in the sign and spoken language acquisition of pediatric users of cochlear implants. This line of research focuses on the neurogenesis of language learning in a visual medium and its evidence in hemispheric lateralization and in maturation of hand-oral articulation in deaf children whose audition is enhanced through implants. These projects are funded by grants from James Madison University and Gallaudet University's Cochlear Implant Education Program.

Personnel

  • Brenda C. Seal, Ph.D.
  • Kelly Clingempeel, Doctoral Candidate
  • Kate Belzner, Doctoral Candidate