martial arts for the deaf

[jdawg]

if anyone has had any interaction or experience teaching martial arts to deaf students, i would appreciate some input on the pros and cons of running such programs.

i am hearing, but am learning american sign language. it seems to me that much of martial arts is communicated through the movements of a person's body, which may or may not translate easily for a deaf person. there is the inherent specificity of any martial art's language that would make it necessary to create new signs (or change existing ones to fit) in order to have a productive teaching arrangement.

does anyone have experience in this area?

thanks for your input.