Tag Archives: deaf community

Technology Used by the Deaf Community

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Some of you may be wondering what sorts of interesting technologies are used in daily life by members of the deaf community. There are some very creative technology tools for the deaf that coincide with the use of American Sign Language. For example, video phones! Deaf individuals used this type of technology long before it became more common with applications like Skype. By using a video phone to make sign language calls a deaf person can do everything from arrange appointments, to ordering take-out, to just simply communicating with a friend.

In addition to the possibilities of video, technology for the deaf includes a lot of different ways to send signals, such as flashing and vibrating alarms. Flashing alarms can alert a deaf person to everyday events like someone at the door or a phone ringing, but they also play an important role in safety when it comes to crossing streets or fire alarms. The prevalence of vibration to quietly get the attention of both hearing and deaf individuals is also on the rise and quite useful. You may ponder how deaf individuals are awakened in the morning? Vibrating alarm clocks can be placed under a mattress or pillow!

The deaf community certainly embraces the same technologies that everyone else does as well. Text messages are an easy way to contact friends, as well as using social-networking sites like Facebook or applications like Facetime on the iPhone to share and gather information.

So the next time you are heading out for the day, look at the world with a new perspective and perhaps you will start taking more notice of technologies that exist in your environment and how they might benefit the deaf. Ongoing innovations and technology for the deaf continue to broaden opportunities for the community.  Keep on the alert for what is sure to be a growing list of assistive gadgets in the future!

Socializing With the Deaf Community

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ASLdeafined offers the tools for you to learn vocabulary, sentence structure, fingerspelling, numbers, multiple meaning words, ASL grammar, etc.  While learning all of this information, it is also imperative that learners interact with the Deaf community.

There should be a number of deaf events in your area for you to attend year-round.  Look online to find out where such events take place.  Also, many times, there are groups of students who meet on a regular basis to practice their ASL skills.  Now, some people may feel intimidated by their sign language skills, or who are afraid they will sign the wrong thing when communicating in ASL.  Well, believe me, we have all been there.  I have made so many mistakes while learning sign language.  However, like any language, it is part of the learning process.  Here are some tips on how to improve your sign language ability while interacting with Deaf people:

 

  • Make sure your signs are clear.  Try your best to execute each sign to its fullest.  This is important for beginners.  Years from now, you may be able to change your delivery a bit.
  • Fingerspell each word clearly, making sure you do not bounce your letters.

o   Use Fingerspelling for proper nouns (persons, places, and things)

o   Fingerspell words that you may not know.  It is okay to fingerspell a word or two that you do not know how to sign.  However, it is not okay to fingerspell your entire conversation.

  • Make sure you have great facial expressions.  The more relaxed you are when talking with a deaf person, the better you will do.  Remember, deaf people will not bite.
  • If you sign something wrong, it is likely the deaf person will tell you the right sign.  When this happens, remember what the deaf person told you.  Do not forget it.  If it helps, make a list of new words you learn on a daily basis.
  • Always thank the deaf person for their time.  When you do, they are more likely to be willing to talk with you again.

These are some helpful tips on how to improve your American Sign Language (ASL) ability.  The more you practice, the better you will become.  Learn all the vocabulary and structure you can, and go out and use it.  If you have any questions about ASL, please let Mercy and I know.  We will try our best to answer your questions.  And, remember, to always have fun.  Enjoy learning this new language, and your interacting with the Deaf Community.  You’ll quickly learn how special these engagements are.  There aren’t a lot of people that know ASL.  You are one of the luckiest ones, and your efforts to learn the language will be appreciated very much.