Welcome!
We're glad you stopped by the Touching The Nations, Inc. website. Established in 2003, we are a 501(c)(3) IRS approved non-profit organization that works to help bridge the communication gap between the Deaf World and the Hearing World - especially in the church. We do this by teaching sign language classes, holding conferences and workshops all over the country, and providing individual one-on-one classes to those individuals who prefer a more personal setting. We also endeavor to be of service to the D/deaf community; helping to meet the needs of various individuals in this group.
Valerie D. Johnson, President is an ordained minister and State Certified Interpreter (Michigan). She holds B.A. degrees in Business Management and Sign Language Studies, as well as a Master's in Ministry. In 2003, she resigned from Ford Motor Company to establish Touching The Nations, Inc. (formerly Touching The Nations Deaf Ministries, Inc.). Since that time, she has done workshops in Nashville and Baltimore and a conference in Dallas, Texas. Her goal, teaching others in order to close the huge gap that exists between the Deaf and Hearing worlds, is being realized all the time as more and more people want to learn the beautiful language of signs. From September 2003 to December 2003, Valerie traveled to Baltimore meeting various individuals (Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing [HOH], and Hearing) to solicit their help with a large youth convention that would be held there in December 2003. Twelve to fourteen interpreters volunteered to assist her at the convention. It was a time of enlightenment and education for the convention goers as they not only watched and enjoyed the Deaf and Hearing Choir, but learned various signs in the process. It was also a time of unity among the group of volunteers; this was truly a highlight for TTN!
If you need an interpreter (skilled in American Sign Language) for whatever the situation, please notify us. You will receive a qualified interpreter to meet your needs as well as satisfying your Deaf or HOH individual's needs.
TTN is also looking to offer jobs for the Deaf/HOH in the very near future. At times, our organization also serve as advocates for the Deaf/HOH by helping to educate doctors offices, hospitals, businesses and the like to the ADA laws (Americans With Disabilities Acts laws).