Sign Language Association of Ireland (SLAI), strives to develop access and communication among deaf people, through Irish Sign Language (ISL). At SLAI, we promote the positive growth of ISL through research and training. We also develop the local, national and international networking forum of ISL training providers, teachers and tutors. By generating information on teaching methods and classroom materials,  we aim to generate an appropriate qualification for ISL Teachers and Tutors and a formal accreditation as an award body for ISL teaching.

Our effective teaching methods continuously provide learners with social and personal skills and with continuous assessment we are able to improve and share on an ongoing basis. 

SLAI were established in 1985 and have been in existence for 33 years. During that time, the organisation has evolved from humble beginnings into an organisation with a mandate to support its’ members. To this end, the committees over the years have sourced and provided many training workshops, developed a curricula to teach levels 1-4 in ISL and have run their own internal exams. SLAI has mainly been a voluntary organisation, whereby it’s management committee oversees it’s development and ongoing activities. Recently, it has appointed a part time project coordinator to oversee the restructuring of the organisation.

SLAI is a national organisation with a strong representation in Northern Ireland, where 1/3 of the deaf population use ISL. We undertake research on various aspects of sign language and have produced several publications.