In the early 2000s, Donna Jo Napoli began a program of research on sign languages and developed connections within the Deaf community.[12]
Napoli has contributed to linguistic research on sign languages, including the publication of the book Primary movement in sign languages in 2011.[13]
Combining her interest in language and literature, Napoli has collaborated with others to create bimodal bilingual e-books for hearing parents to read to their deaf children.[14] These are ebooks and videos that are both conveyed in oral language, and conveyed in sign language in a video. Languages represented in this project include American Sign Language, Brazilian Sign Language, Fijian Sign Language, Korean Sign Language, Irish Sign Language, Nepali Sign Language, Swedish Sign Language, and others. The books are translated into the oral language relevant for each signed language.
