Have you ever been in a situation where it felt like everyone knew something that you didn’t? It was pretty uncomfortable, wasn’t it? This is the world that Deaf people have to traverse every day. They are surrounded by people having conversations, sharing information, telling jokes, and they are not included. This can be an extremely lonely existence. Have no fear, you can be of assistance!
In the world of ASL, you will often hear the words “Sim Com”. This means “Simultaneous Communication” and refers to signing and speaking at the same time. It is some what of an art form and takes some practice, but it is something that will mean inclusion for the Deaf that you socialize with. By signing what those around you are saying, and using “Sim Com” when you are speaking, the Deaf can be included in the conversation, understand jokes, and generally be a part of the crowd.
This has the added benefit of showing your friends how cool ASL is. When they ask you how they can learn, you can confidently say “just go to ASLDeafined.com!”