Juneteenth and the Deaf Community: Honoring Freedom, Recognizing Voices

Juneteenth and the Deaf Community Honoring Freedom, Recognizing Voices Juneteenth—celebrated on June 19th—is a significant and powerful day in American history. It marks the moment in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas were finally informed of their freedom—two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. As the country continues to […]

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School’s Out…Now What?

How ASL Students Can Stay Sharp Over the Summer The final bell has rung, the textbooks are closed, and summer is officially here! While many students are eager for a break, those learning American Sign Language (ASL) might be wondering: “How do I keep practicing without my regular ASL class?” The good news? Summer is the […]

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What is the Bi-Bi Model?

What Is the Bi-Bi Model? The Bi-Bi (Bilingual-Bicultural) model is an educational philosophy that uses two languages and two cultures as the foundation for learning: This model recognizes that Deaf children learn best when they have full access to language — and for most, that means a visual language like ASL from the very beginning. Why Is the Bi-Bi Approach Important? 1. Language […]

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What Does it Mean to be Deaf?

When many people hear the word Deaf, they think of someone who can’t hear. While that’s true from a medical perspective, being Deaf is about much more than hearing loss—it’s about identity, culture, community, and language. Audiological vs. Cultural Deafness From an audiological standpoint, a Deaf person typically has a profound hearing loss, meaning they hear […]

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Ways to Practice Your ASL

Daily Practice Ideas Practice With Others Classroom or Study-Based Practice Creative Practice Technology-Based Practice

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Cochlear Implants: Overview, Candidacy, Cost, Usage, and Pros & Cons

What Is a Cochlear Implant? A cochlear implant is a surgically implanted electronic device that provides a sense of sound to individuals who are severely to profoundly deaf or severely hard of hearing.Unlike hearing aids, which amplify sounds, cochlear implants bypass the damaged parts of the inner ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve. Main Components: Who […]

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Degrees of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is measured in decibels (dB) — the unit of sound intensity.The more decibels lost, the more severe the hearing loss. Hearing loss typically falls into these five categories: Degree of Hearing Loss Hearing Level (dB) Description Common Experience Normal Hearing 0–25 dB Can hear soft sounds like whispering and rustling leaves. No difficulty hearing everyday speech. […]

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Story of Thomas Gallaudet Meeting Laurent Clerc

The Story of Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc: The Birth of American Sign Language and America’s First Deaf School In the early 1800s, Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet was a young American minister from Connecticut who became deeply interested in Deaf education. His curiosity was sparked by a little Deaf girl named Alice Cogswell, the daughter of a neighbor. […]

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Comparison of ASL and PSE

1. Definition 2. Grammar & Syntax 3. Vocabulary 4. Usage 5. Fluency & Community Perception Summary Chart Feature ASL PSE Type Full natural language Contact sign system Grammar ASL-based (topic-comment) English word order (somewhat) Vocabulary Unique signs, classifiers ASL signs with English structure Used by Deaf community Hearing learners, some Deaf users Fluency recognition Highly valued Seen as less fluent

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Deaf News This Week: 4/9/2021

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