Sign Language Solutions
Sign Language Center (SLC of NYC Inc.) is a privately held NYC-based ASL education company founded in 2001 that delivers six-level progressive ASL classes, tutoring, and corporate workshops to individual learners and emergency-services organizations, taught exclusively by native Deaf instructors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Sign Language Solutions does
Sign Language Center (SLC), legally SLC OF NYC INC., is a privately held American Sign Language education company founded in 2001 by Alan Roth and Brian Blais in New York City. It operates a six-level progressive ASL curriculum (Levels 1-6 plus conversational classes) delivered through six-week semesters running seven times per year, with classes held in-person at a 1,500 sq/ft Midtown Manhattan studio and synchronously via Zoom. Class sizes of 10-20 students and a roster of approximately 20 native Deaf instructors represent the core instructional capacity, and the company self-positions as the only Deaf-owned ASL school in the United States.
Sign Language Solutions firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sign Language Solutions
- Legal name
- SLC OF NYC INC.
- Website
- https://signlanguagecenter.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Sign Language Center (SLC of NYC Inc.) is a privately held NYC-based ASL education company founded in 2001 that delivers six-level progressive ASL classes, tutoring, and corporate workshops to individual learners and emergency-services organizations, taught exclusively by native Deaf instructors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sign Language Solutions industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Language Education Services
- NAICS
- Language Schools (611630), Educational Support Services (61171)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sign Language Learning Programs (ASL/BSL, etc.) (EDAMAFAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- In-Person Language Tutoring & Small-Group Classes (EDAMAFAE), Language Learning Centers (ESL/EFL & World Languages) (EDANAHAG), Language & Cross-Cultural Training (BPACANAL)
Keywords
Where Sign Language Solutions is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Sign Language Solutions business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Semester Classes: 6-week semester courses meeting once weekly for 2 hours. Classes offered in-person and via Zoom across 7 semesters annually. Class sizes range 10-20 students. Core revenue driver.
- Individual Tutoring: One-on-one instruction at $100/person/hour. $70/hour for current students as makeup sessions. Group rates available at additional $25/hour per person.
- Specialty Workshops: Finger spelling workshops ($65-75), nutrition workshops ($60), interpreter training, and specialized skills classes offered throughout year.
- Placement Screening: $20 placement screening service to help students determine appropriate class level.
- Merchandise Sales: Branded merchandise including t-shirts ($16.93-$25.82), tote bags ($17.67), mugs ($12.18), racerback tanks ($20.99), insulated bottles ($31.55). Digital gift cards also available.
- Corporate Training: Custom workshops provided at client workplaces covering Deaf Culture/Language awareness, sensitivity training, and ASL basics. Presented by Deaf presenter with voice interpretation.
- Space Rental: 1500 sq/ft studio space available for rental. Two studios with kitchens, monitors, exposed brick. Suitable for shoots, intimate events, cocktail parties, and small dinners up to 50 people.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Semester Classes - $250 per 6-week semester |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Individual Tutoring - $100/hour |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Placement Screening - $20 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Specialty Workshops - $60-75 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Merchandise - $12-32 |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Gift Cards - 6 month expiry |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Sign Language Solutions product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sign Language Center provides American Sign Language (ASL) instruction through a six-level progressive curriculum delivered in-person at its NYC studio and live via Zoom, complemented by individual tutoring, specialty student workshops, corporate Deaf culture and sensitivity workshops, placement screenings, theatrical sign direction (DASL), studio space rental, and a Deaf artist gallery. All classes and workshops are taught by native Deaf instructors, with 6-week semesters running seven times per year and class sizes of 10-20 students.
Product overview
Sign Language Center operates as a service-based education company offering a unified platform of ASL instruction through multiple delivery formats. The core offering consists of progressive ASL Classes (Levels 1-6) and Conversational Classes, supplemented by Individual Tutoring for personalized instruction. Additional revenue streams include Corporate Workshops for businesses and organizations, specialized Student Workshops covering topics like fingerspelling and Deaf culture, Placement Screening assessments, Space Rental for events, and a Creative Hands Art Gallery showcasing Deaf artists. The company also offers Gift Cards and branded SLC SWAG merchandise. All instruction is delivered by native Deaf individuals, with classes available in-person at their NYC facility or via Zoom.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ASL Classes (Levels 1-6)
Companies that use Sign Language Solutions
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Sign Language Solutions technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Sign Language Solutions partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Luana's TavernminorCODA-owned restaurant used as venue for 25th Anniversary Celebration and other events. Located at 449 Court St, Brooklyn (formerly P.J. Hanley's). Hosts ASL Magic Shows and community gatherings.
- Madison Square ParkminorPublic park venue for community picnic events. Registration required at $10. Pizza provided by SLC. Socializing, sun, and fun weather-permitting outdoor event.
- Failte NYCminorIrish pub venue used for monthly ASL Happy Hour events. Located at 531 2nd Avenue, New York, NY. Hosts social gatherings for SLC students and Deaf community. No RSVP required for most events.
- American School for the DeafcoreTwo-day overnight trip for advanced students (Level 6+). Explore Deaf culture, ASL, and academic excellence at America's first permanent school for the Deaf. Includes roundtrip transport and hotel accommodations.
- ASL SlamcorePartnership with ASL Slam for their 20th Anniversary Festival (April 2025). SLC co-hosted Honorary Brunch honoring Alan Roth, co-founder of Sign Language Center. Collaborative community events supporting ASL poetry and performance art.
- Gallaudet UniversitycoreAnnual overnight trips organized by SLC to Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. World's only liberal arts university for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Includes campus tours, Deaf performances, and cultural immersion.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Sign Language Solutions competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Hands On ASL: NYC-area ASL instruction provider offering group classes, private lessons, and corporate training. Directly comparable to Sign Language Center in product offering (multi-level ASL classes, tutoring, B2B workshops), geography, and customer segments, making it the closest direct competitor.
- Start ASL: Online ASL school offering self-paced courses, workbooks, and instructor-led options targeting adult learners. Comparable in targeting the same beginner-to-intermediate ASL student demographic with similar curriculum structure, though delivery is primarily digital rather than live.
- ASL Clear: Online ASL learning platform offering live and self-paced instruction with Deaf instructors. Comparable to SLC's hybrid Zoom-based model and structured curriculum approach, competing for the same D2C adult learner segment seeking flexible ASL education.
Emerging players
- ASL University (Lifeprint): Free online ASL curriculum developed by Dr. Bill Vicars, widely used by self-learners and as supplementary material in formal classes. Directly comparable as a curriculum resource for the same ASL student demographic, and a primary free alternative to paid structured ASL education.
- The ASL App: Mobile-first ASL learning app featuring short lessons taught by Deaf signers. Comparable as a supplemental ASL education channel targeting the same adult learner segment, though it competes on convenience and price rather than live instruction depth.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sign Language Solutions social profiles
Digital presenceSign Language Solutions financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sign Language Solutions leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Sign Language Solutions funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sign Language Solutions M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sign Language Solutions
What does Sign Language Solutions do?
Sign Language Center provides American Sign Language (ASL) instruction through a six-level progressive curriculum delivered in-person at its NYC studio and live via Zoom, complemented by individual tutoring, specialty student workshops, corporate Deaf culture and sensitivity workshops, placement screenings, theatrical sign direction (DASL), studio space rental, and a Deaf artist gallery. All classes and workshops are taught by native Deaf instructors, with 6-week semesters running seven times per year and class sizes of 10-20 students.
Is Sign Language Solutions a public or private company?
Sign Language Solutions is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Sign Language Solutions founded?
Sign Language Solutions was founded in 2001. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Sign Language Solutions based?
Sign Language Solutions is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Sign Language Solutions make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Semester Classes are the primary driver. The others are individual Tutoring, specialty Workshops, placement Screening, merchandise Sales, corporate Training and space Rental.
Who are Sign Language Solutions's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Hands On ASL, Start ASL and ASL Clear. Emerging players are ASL University (Lifeprint) and The ASL App.
Does Sign Language Solutions have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sign Language Solutions.
What industry is Sign Language Solutions in?
Sign Language Solutions's product category is Language Education Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMAFAM, Sign Language Learning Programs (ASL/BSL, etc.), with a secondary code of EDAMAFAE, In-Person Language Tutoring & Small-Group Classes. Its NAICS code is 611630 and its SIC code is 8200.