Facilitating Communication Between The Deaf And The Hearing Communities

Our History

ASLI (American Sign Language, Inc.) was founded in 1987 by Frederic Jondreau. Established as the New York School of American Sign Language, then the American Sign Language Institute, Mr. Jondreau’s academy became the first privately-owned school to teach ASL in New York.

As a result of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, interest in the deaf community and in sign language flourished—all within five years of ASLI opening its doors. In addition to teaching an eight week course in American Sign Language, Mr. Jondreau also began interpreting for the deaf community.

His practice became so successful that he was soon unable to personally interpret all of his assignments, and the ASLI interpreting service was launched.

Mr. Jondreau incorporated ASLI in 1994, and began expanding his services nationally. He eventually added a third component to his interpreting and educational businesses—corporate compliance consulting.

In 1998, his children Jennifer and David joined the company, assuming ownership after Mr. Jondreau’s passing on January 1, 2004.


Our Philosophy

ASLI continues to be a family-owned, family-run business. Integrity, friendliness, and customer service is promoted among staff members; skill, professionalism, and punctuality are demanded of their interpreters and consultants.

A proud member in good standing of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), ASLI fully supports the deaf community in its quest for complete self-determination. They are dedicated to supporting a variety of both deaf related and non-deaf related charities, including: