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HandSpeak
What HandSpeak is
HandSpeak is a web resource for learning and practicing American Sign Language, with tutorials, self-study material, and information about Deaf culture. Its dictionary supports word searches and filters for handshape, movement, location, and handedness. A reverse dictionary lets users search for signs using related criteria, but it remains a developing pilot with incomplete coverage. Learners can practice receptive fingerspelling through an interactive activity and use self-study lessons. HandSpeak says these lessons may supplement practice but do not replace face-to-face instruction and live interaction. Patron Pro includes access to a searchable Sentence library with phrases and sentences from basic to advanced. The web app can be added to Android and iOS home screens or installed in Chrome or Edge on Windows 10/11, and requires an internet connection. A free plan is available. Patron Basic costs $5.95 a month, and Patron Pro costs $11.95 a month. A subscription is limited to one user on one device at a time, though the preferred device can be changed by logging in. Online subscriptions, downloads, and digital content are non-refundable.
Who it suits
HandSpeak suits ASL learners and people interested in Deaf culture, including interpreters, parents, homeschoolers, professionals, and Deaf bilinguals. Its materials can support self-study and practice, alongside face-to-face instruction.
What it does well
- Dictionary offers multiple sign-search filters.
- Includes interactive receptive fingerspelling practice.
- Free plan is available.
- Patron Pro includes a searchable sentence library.
What to know first
- Reverse dictionary coverage is incomplete.
- An internet connection is required.
- A subscription is limited to one user on one device at a time.
- Digital subscriptions and content are non-refundable.
Limits
The reverse dictionary is a developing pilot with incomplete coverage. Patron subscriptions are limited to one user on one device at a time, and use requires an internet connection.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Patron Pro | 11.95/monthly · Includes Basic · Save pages to lists · Browsing perks · Premium content · Premium Sentence library | $11.95 a month |
| Patron Basic | $5.95/monthly · No ads · No video ads · Browsing perks · Optional add-ons | $5.95 a month |
As handspeak.com lists them, read 28 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit https://www.handspeak.com/.
- Use the web app, or add it to an Android or iOS home screen.
- On Windows 10/11, install the web app in Chrome or Edge.
- Choose the free plan, Patron Basic at $5.95 a month, or Patron Pro at $11.95 a month.
Verdict
HandSpeak provides ASL lookup and practice materials, with paid access adding a sentence library. Its lessons are supplementary, and the reverse dictionary is still incomplete.
Questions
Is HandSpeak free?
Yes. HandSpeak has a free plan; Patron Basic costs $5.95 a month and Patron Pro costs $11.95 a month.
What does Patron Pro add?
It includes a searchable Sentence library with sentences and phrases from basic to advanced, along with Patron Basic features.
Which platforms does HandSpeak support?
It supports web, Windows, iOS, and Android. The web app can be added to Android and iOS home screens or installed in Chrome or Edge on Windows 10/11.
Can I search signs from their handshape or movement?
Yes. The reverse dictionary searches signs by handshape, movement, location, and handed type, but it is a pilot with incomplete coverage.
Who created HandSpeak?
Jolanta Lapiak says she created the pre-HandSpeak website in 1995, renamed handspeak.com in 2000, and is its creator and owner.
Can a Patron subscription be shared across devices?
It is limited to one user on one device at a time. The preferred device can be changed by logging in.
Facts from HandSpeak's own pages
- Audience
- The site names learners, language and culture enthusiasts, interpreters, homeschoolers, parents, professionals, Deaf bilinguals, and codas as audiences. · handspeak.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Compatibility
- The web app can be added to the home screen on Android and iOS devices and installed in Chrome or Edge on Windows 10/11; an internet connection is required. · handspeak.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Creator and start date
- Jolanta Lapiak says she created the pre-HandSpeak website in 1995, renamed handspeak.com in 2000, and is its creator and owner. · handspeak.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Dictionary
- The ASL dictionary supports word search and filters for handshape, movement, location, and handedness. · handspeak.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Founded
- 1995 · handspeak.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Learning practice
- The site offers an interactive activity to practice receptive ASL fingerspelling. · handspeak.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Lessons
- The site provides self-study ASL lessons and says they may supplement practice but do not replace face-to-face instruction and live interaction. · handspeak.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Patron Pro content
- Patron Pro includes access to a searchable Sentence library with sentences and phrases from basic to advanced. · handspeak.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Privacy and security
- The privacy policy says the site uses SSL encryption, does not store card information, and uses third-party payment providers such as PayPro Global, Stripe, and/or PayPal. · handspeak.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Privacy practices
- The policy says the site uses cookies for authentication, personalization, functionality, security, performance, advertising, and analytics, and uses Google Analytics. · handspeak.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- HandSpeak is a web resource for ASL learning, practice, tutorials, self-study, and Deaf culture. · handspeak.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Refunds
- The subscription page says online subscriptions, downloads, and digital content are non-refundable. · handspeak.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Reverse dictionary
- The ASL-to-English reverse dictionary searches signs by handshape, movement, location, and handed type, and is described as a pilot under ongoing development with incomplete coverage. · handspeak.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Subscription limits
- A Patron subscription is limited to one user on one device at a time, though the preferred device can be changed by logging in. · handspeak.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Support
- The site directs users with privacy questions to contact it through the Help link. · handspeak.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Video playback
- Playback speed controls work in recent Chromium-based browsers such as Chrome and Edge, according to the site's help page. · handspeak.com, 28 Sept 2026
Where HandSpeak stands on Freedom251
- Sign Language Apps#5 of 34