We have seen numerous usages of the iPhone as a media platform. You can communicate in multiple ways, from simple calls to e-mails, to complex social networking, blogging and even use its GPS and map features to communicate with buddies set up a dinner in the best place in Arizona.

Now, the iPhone has just gone one step beyond. It has become the platform through which you can communicate with the world of the deaf.

I have an older friend that became deaf as an adult. He is a warm, polite and funny person. He sometimes tells me stories about how, many times, people either avoid him or treat him like he is mentally slow because he cannot hear. This is especially disheartening because Jack is a Donovan scholar and has chosen a path of a lifelong learning. It is through our friendship that I have become aware of deaf culture.

Aron Basil, developer.

Aron Basil himself is neither deaf nor dumb. So this urge results in an ASL app that is exceedingly communicative.

iSign is an ASL app that hosts a range of 800 signs for using in different contexts – from as simple as trying to switch on the AC to something as complex as asking for whether an airplane is about to take off.

1.     The app uses animated images for explaining the signs and hence is very communicative.

2.     A wide range of signs, not an ASL dictionary but that was not the purpose of the app either. It is an  animated ASL phrasebook.

3. The interface is very neat.

4. It hosts a quiz also.

5. Signs can be sorted out alphabetically.

All these for $7.99 is not a big deal at all. What’s more is that now you have a Lite version has also been launched, that is also free.

Note: I am blessed enough to have both my hearing and speaking habits. I bought this app for the same reason Aaron Basil made it. My seven year old niece cannot speak or hear. So now I just place  Apple’s darling device do all the “talking”.

Similar Apps: ABC Sign, American Sign Language, Sign Smith ASL Lite, Sign Smith ASL Ultimate.

• App name: iSign
• App Category: Education
• Price: $7.99
• 
• Developer: Aaron Basil
• iTunes Link: Click to download