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Two American Sign language (ASL) narratives were visually presented to three groups of deaf ASL users (20 subjects per group) to assess the effects of time compression on comprehension of ASL. A time compressed message is one that has been altered to require less time to transmit than a message which is not compressed. One group (No-compression) was presented narratives which were signed at normal rates. A second group (Compression) was presented narratives which were compressed to 50% of the duration of the No-compression versions. A third group (Pauses) was presented compressed narratives with blank pauses inserted so that the total time per narrative was equal to that of the No-compression versions. Following each narrative, subjects completed a written comprehension task, Comprehension in both the Compression and Pauses groups was significantly lower than in the No-compression group. Pauses did not significantly differ relative to Compression. An additional group of 20 deaf ASL users were presented an intelligibility task in which signs taken from the above narratives were presented in isolation either with or without compression. Total number of signs correctly identified was reliably lower with compression. Decrements in available processing time could not be directly related to decrements in comprehension scores. Further, decrements in sign intelligibility could not be directly related to decrements in comprehension scores. Additional research was suggested to determine the factors involved in comprehension decrements. Further, some of the practical implications of the research were discussed.