Your language. Your independence.
bttr Living provides American Sign Language Training and Support, Service Code 644, for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, together with the families and support teams around them.
Funded through Regional Center of the East Bay when approved through the person's IPP. Pilot availability is currently limited to Alameda County.
ASL instruction for the participant
Individualized American Sign Language training built around how each person already communicates, moving at their pace toward vocabulary, expression, and understanding they can use every day.
Family and support team training
ASL training for family members and support professionals so the people closest to the participant share a common language and communication grows in every part of home and community life.
Communication in real life
Practicing communication where it actually happens, at home, in the community, at appointments, and in social settings, so new language turns into real participation and real choice.
Every plan starts with four Communication Foundations.
Before setting goals, bttr assesses how each person expresses, receives, engages, and generalizes communication. These four foundations shape an individualized plan that respects the person's language, culture, and preferences.
How the person shares
How the person currently expresses wants, needs, choices, and ideas, and where new language can expand that expression.
How the person understands
How the person best receives information, including visual attention, pacing, repetition, and preferred communication modes.
How the person participates
How the person joins conversations and interactions, including turn taking, attention, comfort, and confidence with communication partners.
How skills carry over
How the person uses communication across settings and people, so language learned in sessions shows up at home and in the community.
Six Communication Tracks that make progress easy to see.
The BTTR Communication Tracks turn language goals into clear, real life areas of growth. This helps participants, families, Service Coordinators, and support teams understand exactly what ASL Training and Support looks like in everyday life.
Expressing wants, needs, and choices
Building the language each person needs to be heard and make their own decisions.
- Core vocabulary for daily wants and needs
- Making and expressing choices
- Asking for help and saying no
- Sharing feelings, preferences, and opinions
Building clear, confident language
Growing vocabulary, sign production, and understanding at the person's own pace.
- Expanding ASL vocabulary step by step
- Clear sign production and visual attention
- Understanding questions and directions
- Repair strategies when communication breaks down
Communication with family and home
Helping households share a language so connection at home grows stronger.
- ASL training for family members
- Shared vocabulary for home routines
- Everyday conversation practice together
- Reducing reliance on guessing and gesture
Communication in the community
Practicing real world communication for errands, transit, and appointments.
- Communicating at stores, transit, and services
- Preparing for medical and dental visits
- Safety communication and self identification
- Using visual tools, text, and apps as supports
Communication for goals and growth
Supporting language for work, learning, and the goals in each person's plan.
- Vocabulary for work, volunteering, and programs
- Following instructions and asking questions
- Participating in IPP and planning meetings
- Self advocacy in services and daily life
Social connection and community
Building friendships, social confidence, and connection to Deaf community life.
- Conversation and social language practice
- Connection to Deaf community and culture
- Social outings and shared activities
- Building and keeping friendships
Every session follows the BTTR Communication Cycle.
A consistent six step structure keeps sessions purposeful, keeps families included, and turns every visit into documented, real world progress.
Connect
Begin in the person's language. Check in, build comfort, and set the focus for the session together.
Practice
Targeted ASL instruction matched to the person's goals, pace, and Communication Foundations.
Apply
Use new language in real situations, at home, in the community, and in everyday routines.
Include
Bring family members and support professionals into practice so communication grows around the person.
Reflect
Review together what worked, what felt hard, and what the person wants to build next.
Record
Document progress clearly so families and Service Coordinators can see growth over time.
Access is the goal. Not correction.
Deafness is not something to fix. This program exists to remove communication barriers and expand access, so each person can express themselves, understand their world, and participate fully in their own life and planning. Every plan is built from an individualized Communication and Independence Profile.
Now piloting across Alameda County.
The ASL Training and Support pilot is currently available to Regional Center of the East Bay clients living in Alameda County. As a pilot, spaces are limited, and early referrals help shape the future of the program.
Pilot program details
ASL Training and Support is funded under California Regional Center Service Code 644. During the pilot phase, bttr Living is partnering with Regional Center of the East Bay to serve Alameda County, with plans to grow based on what families and participants need.
Questions families actually ask.
Every person deserves a language.
bttr Living's ASL Training and Support pilot helps Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind adults with developmental disabilities in Alameda County build language, connection, self advocacy, and full participation in their own lives.