Join LaRonda as she and her family get a tour of Dawn Sign Press from Jon Savage in San Diego. According to an interview statement by CEO/President, Joe Dannis, “D. S. P. stands for Dawn Sign Press, and that is a publishing company specializing in textbooks, books, and educational materials for Deaf and hearing children and adults who are learning American Sign Language, Deaf culture, and Deaf history. The word dawn isn’t from an individual’s name but it represents the dawning of a new era, one in which we recognize American Sign Language and Deaf culture.”
This 9 minute video clip is especially good for kids (and grown ups) to see as it offers a little career exploration. My 10 year old son learned a lot about different jobs there. We ended up having a great conversation with him later about possible careers as a result. Jon was once again a great guide and the people at DSP were warm and welcoming! Summary below.
Summary:
Jon introduced us to many staff at DSP. We saw his wife, Holly, again, whom we had met earlier that week when we joined their family at the San Diego Zoo. We saw the busy office staff bustling about before meeting the people working in the accounting department.
We saw the meeting room and lunch room that had a huge, beautiful painted picture by deaf artist, Chuck Baird, of Ella Mae Lentz patriotically signing ‘red, white and blue’ words in ASL. An awesome picture!
Later, we met the creative team of people who work in production, marketing, scheduling, publishing and creative design. We met their IT guy who keeps their computers and website functioning and looking good, and their conference coordinator who goes out to bring DSP to the public. Everyone was very willing to take a minute out of their busy schedules to say a warm hello and introduce themselves.
We saw the editing room full of equipment, computers, TV monitors, etc., and then we met the assistant to the CEO of DSP. She was very friendly and welcoming, especially being that it was close to their closing time. Joe Dannis, the CEO/President, was not in that day, but working from home.
Then Jon took us to his department, the warehouse, which was like entering a different world! He showed us the studio area and the huge inventory DSP has in storage. Then he led my son and I through the order filling process. Very educational for my son to see up close and personal.
We met more of the friendly workers Jon supervises and then we saw Jon’s office. Then Jon led us out to the front of the building where we viewed some DSP materials (which by the way, do indeed say, “Not for individual sale” on the back. This is in reference to a comment I left on another post about Deaf Peddling.)
It was a privilege to see such a respected organization in the Deaf business world. The people at DSP were really warm and Jon’s energy was incredible for being at the end of his work day! We enjoyed our tour and hope you enjoy it as well!
My name is LaRonda Zupp.
I am Deaf. Welcome to
"The Ear of My Heart."
Wow. I’ve never been to the DSP building. Thank you for taking us on a very Deaf-centered tour of a Deaf-centered business! Very inspirational.
DE
Left by DE on August 21st, 2007
Hi, great video tour of DSP….not long ago I wondered what it’s like at that place after I started to hear more about DSP through v/blogs and advertisements. And of course being their customer recently.
On your video DSP looks bigger than I thought. And more workers too.
Left by NightOwl on August 21st, 2007
LaRonda,
I’ve always wondered what Dawn Sign Press looked like, and I’ve visioned that it is a small publishing house with an office or two. Never I realized how HUGE it is and it made me so proud to see this. Thank you so much for this opportunity to have a ‘sneak-peek’ of DSP offices, and amazingly huge warehouse!
It is run by,. of and for Deaf and that makes me sooo proud!
Congratulations Joe Dannis and Tina Jo Briendel along with hard working DSP staff! Kudos to Jon Savage for gracious host and a tour guide!
Good job, LaRonda!
Amy Cohen Efron
Left by Amy Cohen Efron on August 21st, 2007
Yes I have something to say! DPS is awesome — especially I like the handshaped chairs! Glad you went and enjoy your wonderful tour with Jon.
Why am I not invited to join you? lol Diane
Left by Diane on August 21st, 2007
hi, LaRonda,
Thanks for showing us what DSP building is like… Like the other commenter, I always thought it was small building. This surely provided me wrong! It is so nice to see another deaf staff working, like this.
deafk
Left by deafk on August 21st, 2007
I am jealous of you…hee hee
Great video! Thanks so much for sharing this video with us.
-Fookem
Left by Fookem on August 21st, 2007
Hello, Would you give me address so We can stop and look up
because we planning come to San Diego on Oct 11, before we leave to Cruise ( Hawaii)
Thanks
Sherry Hirsch
Left by Sherry Hirsch on August 21st, 2007
I’ve always been curious about Dawn Sign Press– thanks for the peek inside!
Left by Karen Putz on August 21st, 2007
wow I didn’t know that DSP is that big! thank you La Ronda, for sharing, and to Jon for the tour! =)
Left by SusanA on August 21st, 2007
Hi Sherry.
Here is the contact information for Dawn Sign Press:
DawnSign.com
6130 Nancy Ridge Drive
San Diego, CA 92121-3223
Phone (858) 625-0600
Fax (858) 625-2336
Email info@dawnsign.com
http://www.dawnsign.com
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on August 21st, 2007
Thanks for the look-see. Good exposure to the world of publishing for Paulie (well, u too). BTW, Jon’s desk looks too clean, not enuff busy! LOL. Cheers.
Left by MikeS on August 21st, 2007
Wow DSP is really NEAT! I did not realized that DSP is really huge.
It is worth to see inside what it look like, also proud of the deaf staffs at DSP. Thanks for this video to show.
Left by Jac on August 21st, 2007
What happened to my first comment? I am envy that you went to DSP. I didn’t realize that place is huge! Thanks for sharing
BTW I love the handshaped chairs (when you first entered the building with your family)
Left by Diane on August 21st, 2007
Wow, thanks for the tour of DSP. And, thanks to Jon and DSP for allowing this to happen!
Next time, please please invite me to join your party.
Left by Judge on August 21st, 2007
Hello and thank you for taking the time to film this tour. I have enjoyed Dawn Sign Press materials for many years. We used the Signing Naturally books and videos for our ASL classes at Tulsa (Oklahoma) Community College!
I hope you take us along on more tours, smile.
Pam Burr
Claremore OK!
Left by Pam Burr on August 21st, 2007
Thanks for the tour, I actually felt like I was there!!
Looks like you all enjoyed your time!
Were they ALL Deaf?? I thought maybe 1 hearing learining sign? I think that it is so KEWL!!
Left by B.A.D. on August 22nd, 2007
*Spelled wrong…AGAIN! Meant LearNing!*
Left by B.A.D. on August 22nd, 2007
Greetings LaRonda,
Thank you for your kind words about DawnSignPress. We are indebt to you, and I am proud to share that we enter into its 28th year with thirty employees.
After watching your vlog, I’m sorry for not having the honor to give you the tour. When Tina Jo mentioned that you didn’t realize DSP’s whereabouts as you were in San Diego, I am glad she was persistent about you making time to visit.
DawnSignPress wholeheartedly supports the efforts of Deaf people to document their language, culture, history, heritage, and literature. You’ve shown the Deaf-World, who touches millions with vibrant language, enduring culture and a close-knit community we lead here.
If any of you readers are in the area, please do drop by, and get a first HAND tour! Again LaRonda, thanks.
Joe Dannis
Left by Joe Dannis on August 22nd, 2007
Hi Joe!
What an honor it is to have your comment here. I’m so glad you approve of the vlog and encourage others to come take a tour of DSP if they are in the area. The comments left above show the public interest and pride in an organization like yours. I was glad to be able to take a tour. Thanks to Tina Jo for the encouragement and to Jon Savage for the tour. Your staff were really wonderful and I left impressed and proud of the deaf community there. I was sorry to have missed you, but appreciate your kind comment left here.
Thank you so much!
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on August 23rd, 2007
wow! a truly clever thing you did to do a vlog on DSP and it’s beautiful building and show many others what DSP has acheived. Thanks. We should do the same to other Deaf businesses around the world!
Left by Ella on August 24th, 2007
Me opened my mouth wide… DSP is really HUGE!! Thank you for filming DSP for us to see what it looks like. Me proud of Joe and others making all things or whatever successfully.. Clap.. oops! Wave Wave Wave!!!
Left by LindaT on August 24th, 2007
Hey LaRonda!
This was ‘way cool’! It was so good to see such a large company run by and for the deaf – something you dont see everyday. I didn’t realize that the main office was in San Diego – or am I mistaken? I do recall during my Gally days (between 1998 and 2002) when I did a bit of contracted illustration work for the DPS branch just outside of DC. (something that fell on the wayside later) but I do remember the branch office and it certainly was nothing like the one in your video! I remember at the time that I’d assumed this was IT, after seeing the name so many times on various productions. (how little did I know!)
It was really interesting – and I do thank you for sharing your experience with us!
Rob Walker
Left by RFW on August 29th, 2007