What time should I arrive?
Registration is from 9:00am till 11:00am on Saturday.  Upon arrival, follow the “AZTI signs” to the registration table.  The staff will greet you and give you a general information packet along with your nametag. You will then sit with a staff member for an evaluation of your signing skills.  Following your evaluation, we will then direct you to the retreat center registration for room check-in.

Does the registration include room and board?
Yes, room and board are included.  Snacks will be provided at the events, but please feel free to bring favorite snacks to share.  Be sure to pay 1st Early Bird $1,0000.00 postmarked by March 31, 2023.  After April 1, 2023, $1,065.  

Who will I be rooming with?
Room assignments will already be made.  I will do my best to honor any requests that were made with regard to roommates, but no guarantees can be provided.   For the greatest immersion experience, it is best to room with someone that you do not know.  This will help you learn new vocabulary, build receptive skills and make new friendships.  

Can I have a room for myself?
If you prefer to have a room for yourself, there will be an additional cost of $600.00.  See above, having a roommate will build receptive skills and make new friendships.  

What will we do after dinner?
There will be more games and events after dinner.  When it’s done, you can stay up late to continue to interact, play games, swim, etc.  ASL AZTI staff will remain among participants.   

Can I only come during the day and not stay at the facility?  
Unlike some immersion experiences, AZ ASL Total Immersion is scheduled from morning through evening.   There are a few scheduled breaks during the day, however all of the experience is to be in ASL and no voice.   Even your interaction in your rooms is intended to be a part of the experience as you communicate only in ASL.   Only participating during the day would disrupt your experience and benefit of the program.   Returning to your home daily would take away from the experience of full immersion and be a distraction to you. 

What type of clothing should I bring?
Think cool and comfortable!  Since many of you are coming from other states, you have probably never experienced a Phoenix summer.  If you want to know what it will be like, turn on your oven to 475 degrees for one hour and put your head in it.  It's not that bad though because of the dry climate.  Don’t sweat it; all of our activities will be inside the beautiful, air-conditioned retreat center.  At times, you may even feel a bit chilly, so keep that in mind and bring a jacket.  NO short shorts, halter tops,  or spaghetti straps tops please. Dress must be appropriate.  There is a swimming pool, which is available during late night activities and break times, so you will want to bring your swim suit.

Is there a swimming pool?
Yes, there’s a swimming pool.  Be sure to bring your swim suits.  Towels will be provided at the swimming pool.  

 What else should I bring?
1.  A good sense of humor and a willingness to be stretched.  L*A*U*G*H
2.  Personal toiletries
3.  Pajama
4.  Bring your camera for occasional and timely use. Please DO NOT plan to use your camera during class and activity  
        time.  You will be signing and will be asked to put the camera away.  The same applies for video cameras.  Approval  
        must be given by the director for of any videos taken.
5.  Snacks for your rooms and late night activities. Bring lots of chips, candy, drinks and goodies to share 
        with others.
6.  Notebook and pen.
7.  Water bottle, sun- screen, sun glasses, chapstick, breath savers, etc.
8.  Did I mention snacks? Nuts, healthy foods, cookies, etc.?
9. It’s a good idea to bring Tylenol, Aspirin, or Advil because your brain may be full from learning too 
         much.
10. You will have a nice AZTI water bottle to refill water for free! 

Can I attend ASL AZTI if I don’t know a lot of signs?  And will I be lost?
We’ve had some participants who knew no sign language, including fingerspelling.  They picked up sign fast because they became  immersed the “Deaf World”.   The ASL AZTI staff, having experienced being lost in the hearing world is particularly sensitive to participants feel lost in the Deaf world.  Please, don’t worry.    

What happens after I register?  Will I be contacted?
Once your check and printed registration form has been received, the registrar will reply to you via email (PLEASE be sure your email address is correct) to inform you that your spot is being held.
Your check will be deposited and we will await full payment.  When your full payment is made, the registrar will notify you via email that your spot is secure.  $100.00 deposit with the balance due by March 31, 2024.   You will NOT receive anything via snail mail.

What exactly does the “No Voice” rule mean?
The “No voice” rule is one of the principles that make the immersion program effective.  We will shut our voices off at 12:00pm on Saturday, following orientation.   We will have earplugs available for any that would like them.  The “No voice” rule applies to telephones, TV’s, radios, etc.  There will be a computer and VRS available to use.  Any outgoing calls must be made on the VRS as this is part of experiencing Deaf culture.  If you are a beginner, don’t worry, use any form of communication you can, including writing, miming, finger spelling or simply rolling on the floor while kicking and screaming, just don’t voice! 

What will the schedule be like?
Each day will be filled with fun, excitement and educational challenges.  You will NOT be bored!  Each morning will include breakfast, followed by 3 “class type” sessions, at your skill level. Break for lunch, then and 2 more “class type” sessions and 1 workshop in the afternoon. Following dinner we will enjoy evening activities, which will impact you forever.  Just when you thought you couldn’t laugh or learn anymore, we have the “late night” games scheduled.  We will conclude the week on Wednesday with a brunch. We sadly depart by noon.

Will I be able to have visitors?
Visitors are not a good idea!  You will not have time for them and they may cause you to voice, which is very distracting and disturbing in our Deaf culture.  The idea of the retreat is to shut out the world and focus your time and energy on building your signing skill and knowledge.  However, do invite family and friends, especially from the Deaf community, to the “Performance and Drama Night,” which will be Tuesday evening, starting 7:00pm.  The performance will be held at Franciscan Renewal Center.  Family, friends and members of the Deaf community will enjoy skits in ASL presented by AZTI participants and staff.

How do I get to the Franciscan Renewal Center?
Franciscan Renewal Center
5802 E. Lincoln Drive   (On Lincoln Drive, just east of Tatum)
Scottsdale, AZ 85253
www.thecasa.org

Is there transportation to and from the airport?
Participants will be fully responsible for getting to the Franciscan Renewal Center. There will be no transportation provided by ASL  AZTI.  Please check the internet or with a travel agent about car rentals. You may inquire directly with the renewal center regarding to possible shuttles that service the area.

PLEASE NOTE:  Flights into Phoenix should arrive no later than 9:30 am on Saturday and depart no later than 3:00 pm on Wednesday. The drive is estimated at between 30 and 45 minutes depending on traffic.  If you're concerned about not being able to arrive on Saturday before 9:30am, please email at [email protected] ASAP.

Arrivals – SuperShuttle Shared-Ride Van Service
Please contact SuperShuttle (602) 244-9000 or (800) 258-3826 (BLUE VAN) or visit their website online at www.supershuttle.com at least 24 hours in advance of your departure to make your reservations.
1.  Claim your luggage.
2.  Proceed outside Baggage Claim at each terminal to the sign marked “Shared Ride / VAN SERVICE.”
3.  A SuperShuttle Guest Service Representative is located at each terminal’s designated pick up location  
      (typically on the center island). Advise the representative that you would like transportation to the  
      Franciscan Renewal Center.

You will be advised of the van number assigned to take you to your destination.  Drivers accept cash or credit cards in the vehicle if direct bill or prepayment has not already been arranged.

Departures – SuperShuttle Shared-Ride Van Service
Return reservations are required 24 hours in advance of pick up.

Please contact the shuttle service at (602) 244-9000, (800) 258-3826 (BLUE VAN) or www.supershuttle.com at least 24 hours prior to your departure time. You will be advised of the suggested pick up time from Franciscan Renewal Center.

Option:
Use Uber or LYFT 

Credit Cards, Purchase Order’s, and Scholarships?
You can pay for your immersion registration by using Credit and Debit Cards.  Please note that an additional $40.00 will be charged for processing fees.  You are given this option when registering.  Simply follow the link to make your payment.  I'd strongly recommend to mail the checks to avoid paying the fees. 

​Purchase orders from schools or places of employment are acceptable, however they cannot be accepted for the $100.00 deposit.  If a purchase order form is used as a check, it must be rendered by March 31, 2024 for full payment.
ASL AZTI does not offer scholarships for its program.  I suggest seeking financial aid from your places of employment.

 AZTI logo T-shirts?
We will have  ASL  AZTI logo for the T-shirts and you will definitely want to purchase one.  T- Shirts will sell for $30.00 each.  If you would like to purchase a T-shirt, you must order it when registering.  The shirts are 100% cotton and have the ASL  AZTI logo on it.  You will be proud to wear this very eye catching T- shirt.  Order one for yourself and for your sign language buddies back home. They will LOVE you for it.
ASL  AZTI will only order T- shirts based on the number of those who pre-order them by May 31, 2024.   Unfortunately,  AZTI can no longer offer free T-shirts to returning participants.  Again, there will be no extras printed, so plan now.

 What kind of dining and food will there be?
ASL  AZTI will offer a variety of food over the course of the 5 days.  There will always be a salad bar in addition to the main course.  If you require a special diet, please email Program Director, Robin O'Brien at [email protected].  Some participants can bring appropriate foods with you that can easily be substituted for the foods you cannot partake of.  The room is set up with several small tables while the food is presented buffet style.  The renewal center does a great job of preparing wonderful, tasty and filling meals.

Each meal will require you to sit among new friends in a Deaf friendly fashion.  Meal times are a great opportunity to catch up and clarify anything you may have missed during the previous hours.

If something happens and I cannot stay for the entire program once it starts, will I receive a partial refund?  
No refunds will be provided if you must leave early.   The program incurs costs even when you leave early and therefore no refunds are available. 

Can I get CEUS for this 5 day conference?
YES, but  AZTI is no longer responsible for RID CEU’s.   If you are a certified interpreter, you can contact RID or AZRID independently to inquire how you can obtain CEUs for this conference.  For the last 10 years, RID has granted 4 CEUs for our 5 day immersion program.   NOTE:  RID CEU sponsorship is being sought for up to 4.0 Professional Studies CEUs.   More information will be provided upon approval.   

Will I get a certificate?
YES, everyone will receive a certificate on the last day of ASL AZTI retreat.