ThinkSelf: A Language-Rich Home Away From Home for Deaf Learners

At ThinkSelf, we believe that adult education should be more than a place to learn, it should feel like a home away from home. For many of our learners who are Deaf or hard of hearing, accessing education in a linguistically affirming and culturally welcoming space makes all the difference. In Minnesota and across the country, most families do not use formal sign language at home with their Deaf family members. That reality creates a double challenge: not only are learners building academic skills, but they are also striving to develop language confidence in a society where communication barriers are all too common. Our main office is designed intentionally to be a space where communication flows freely, where learners feel seen, understood, and safe.

ThinkSelf’s environment is ASL-rich, accessible, and community-centered staffed entirely by Deaf educators who model language fluency, cultural affirmation, and academic growth. This foundation allows learners not just to acquire skills, but to build identity, confidence, and lifelong connection.

Like many programs statewide, ThinkSelf has had to adapt to emerging challenges. Due to the current national climate surrounding immigration enforcement and the resulting concerns among most of our learners, we have transitioned to a remote instructional model. To ensure continuity and rigor, we are using MDE-approved ASL instructional software that enables engaging, interactive learning in a fully accessible virtual format. While the context may have changed, our mission remains the same: to deliver high-quality ABE instruction that honors language rights and elevates learner potential.

Although ThinkSelf is designed specifically for Deaf and hard of hearing adults, we recognize the important role that local ABE programs play in serving their communities. It is not our intention for programs across the state to simply refer Deaf learners to us without considering how to strengthen local accessibility. True inclusion means building capacity within local programs to serve learners with disabilities alongside their hearing peers whenever possible. We are always happy to partner, consult, and share strategies that enable programs to become more linguistically accessible.

At ThinkSelf, we are committed to a future where all learners thrive in their language, their communities, and their lives.