Area makerspace, local sewers, called into action to create sign language-friendly masks

American Sign Language isn’t just a language of hand movements. Facial expressions are part of the language, and for some deaf or hard of hearing people, lip reading is fundamental for how they communicate.

So how can they communicate with people wearing masks?

It was an issue that the United Way and Southern New Hampshire Health asked MakeIt Labs, a makerspace based in Nashua, to help solve.

Makerspace president Bill Schongar of Mason said the usual activities at the creative co-working space have been disrupted by the COVID-19 virus, but its 210 members haven’t been idle, turning their equipment and knowledge, plus some big donations by major companies, towards projects like making thousands of face shields for libraries and other…