09/02/2025
🟦🟨 September is Deaf
🟨🟦Awareness Month
This month, we honor and celebrate the rich culture, language, and contributions of the Deaf and hard of hearing community. 🧏🏽♀️🧏🏾🧏🏻♂️
Deaf Awareness Month is a time to recognize the diversity within the community — including Deaf, deaf (lowercase), hard of hearing, late-deafened, and DeafBlind individuals — and to promote inclusion, respect, and accessibility for all.
💬 Want to be an ally? Here are a few ways to start:
👋 Learn American Sign Language (ASL)
ASL is a complete, visual language with its own grammar and structure. Taking time to learn even basic signs can go a long way in building bridges.
🧏 Practice respectful communication:
Get someone’s attention with a gentle wave or tap on the shoulder
Face the person directly when speaking
Keep hands away from your mouth so lipreading is easier
Use gestures, text, or writing when needed — communication is flexible!
Never shout — instead, be patient and listen actively
🤝 Be mindful of language
Use terms like “Deaf,” “hard of hearing,” or “DeafBlind” depending on how someone identifies. Avoid outdated or offensive terms like “hearing impaired.”
📣 Accessibility matters
Advocate for captions, interpreters, and inclusive spaces in your workplace, schools, and public events.
🎓 Want to learn more or get involved? Check out these resources:
Gallaudet University – The world’s only university designed for Deaf and hard of hearing students.
🔗 www.gallaudet.edu
National Association of the Deaf (NAD) – Advocacy, rights, and policy resources.
🔗 www.nad.org
ASL Connect – Free and paid ASL learning resources from Gallaudet.
🔗 https://www.gallaudet.edu/asl-connect
Start ASL – Beginner-friendly online ASL courses.
🔗 www.startasl.com
Handspeak – Visual dictionary and cultural insights.
🔗 www.handspeak.com
SignSchool – Learn ASL at your own pace online.
🔗 www.signschool.com
Let’s celebrate the strength, language, and identity of the Deaf community — not just this month, but every day. 💙💛
