The National Association of the Deaf says you can learn to sign if you have time, patience, and a sense of humor.
First, it helps to set realistic expectations. ASL is a a language unto itself, with its own set of grammar and usage rules. It can take a year or more to learn the signs that will enable you to communicate on a basic level. But as with any new skill, some people pick up on things faster than others. So it’s smart to stick with this new challenge, stay positive, and practice when you can.
You can begin by learning the numbers one through 20—a great way to have fun and build your confidence at the same time.
At the end, don’t forget to give yourself a thumbs-up sign for a job well-done.
For the area code, sign the numbers as X|XX. Sign the first number as a single digit and the next two numbers as a two-digit number. You would then pause and do the next three numbers as X|XX with the first number as a single digit and the next two numbers as a two-digit number. Again you would pause and sign the last four numbers as XX|XX with each pair as a two-digit number.
