The business itself is of great importance to its owner because both of her parents are deaf and sign language is the first language she learned as a child.

"I've had lifelong training in sign language," says Vanessa Capozzi. "Working 10 hours a day towards something that doesn't really matter made me think that I wanted to do something that really does."

Sign Language Communications offers a variety of classes and workshops that individuals -- as well as businesses, civic groups and schools -- can attend. Workshops include basic signing, deaf culture, interpreting services and sign language for babies.

Capozzi says her life changed two years ago -- around the time her father passed away -- and she began to re-evaluate her life choices. She decided to make the transition from the corporate world to teaching sign language last year.

But first she had to get up to speed about running a business as well as securing the money to start it. Through hard work and persistence, Sign Language Communica-tions opened its doors late last year.

"We're a full-service sign language shop," she says. "So, if you're interested in learning sign language, or if you are a business interested in deaf awareness, we provide all of those services.

Though sign language is taught in some schools and businesses, Capozzi says there are few other establishments in the area that offer what hers does.

Capozzi works with several corporate clients, including Achieva Independent Living, Three Rivers Independent Living and Beaver County Rehabilitation Center.

Capozzi says she has no regrets about leaving her marketing career behind and now feels she can change the lives of others.

"The idea of being flexible and having freedom is something I have really enjoyed when it comes to running my own business. More than anything, it is about really making a difference in the lives of people who are deaf.

"There are deaf people everywhere and it's surprising to me that in 2006, if you are deaf, a trip to Wal-Mart or Starbuck's can be such a chore. There are so many steps deaf people have to take to have an experience that you and I would."

Sign Language Communications is located at 3500 Brooktree Road, Suite 201, in Wexford.

Jeff Fuller
http://www.yournorthhills.com/newspaper/article/58998/