American Sign Language (ASL) is a rich and expressive visual language used by hundreds of thousands of Deaf and hard-of-hearing people across the United States and parts of Canada. But did you know that ASL actually has roots in French Sign Language (LSF – Langue des Signes Française)? Understanding the origins of ASL provides a powerful […]
Being an ally means more than just supporting a cause—it means taking intentional steps to uplift and empower others. For the Deaf community, allyship involves recognizing the unique challenges Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals face and actively working to remove barriers and foster inclusion. Whether you’re a friend, educator, employer, family member, or someone […]
Audism is a term many people have never heard of, yet it affects millions of Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals every day. Simply put, audism is discrimination or prejudice against people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. It assumes that being able to hear—and speak—is superior to being Deaf. These assumptions can manifest in […]
This vintage biography by Etta Degering, entitled GALLAUDET, Friend of the Deaf, may quite rightfully be judged by its cover. The obviously outdated design and condition of this book, first published in 1964, is unlikely to interest the modern reader. We are featuring it in our blog post today as an analogy for those who […]
What is it like to “hear” a hand? You have to be deaf to understand! What is it like to be a small child, In a school, in a room void of sound — With a teacher who talks and talks and talks; And then when she does come around to you, She expects you […]
American Sign Language (ASL) would not exist if there were no need. Perhaps those of you outside the Deaf Community have sometimes wondered how people become deaf? Certainly there are a variety of conditions and situations that can lead to such things, but there are a few worth mentioning when answering that question. As you […]
10. You can have a conversation across a room during a meeting or some other boring event and no one will know. 9. You can gossip about people right in front of them and they won’t be the wiser. 8. You can sign underwater with a fellow (signing) scuba diver. 7. How else will you […]
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 […]
Earlier we spoke about general myths that many have about the deaf, and one area that people tend to have misunderstandings about is lipreading. As one might imagine, it is a very difficult skill to master. For starters, 60% of the English language is simply not visible on the lips, which places one attempting to […]