Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy/Gallaudet University Collection Who Were the Gallaudet Eleven—and Why Did NASA Study Them? In the late 1950s and early 1960s, during the early days of the U.S. space program, eleven Deaf men were recruited to…
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Sign languages are not universal—they develop naturally within Deaf communities around the world. This often surprises people at first–even ASL students. But just like English, Spanish, or Japanese, sign languages develop naturally within communities. That means American Sign Language (ASL),…
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Many people assume there is only one type of sign language used in the United States. In reality, several different signing systems exist. The three most commonly discussed are American Sign Language (ASL), Pidgin Signed English (PSE), and Signed Exact…
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Video Relay Service (VRS) is one of those things that people may have heard about but don’t really understand. This article explains what VRS actually is, how Deaf people use it, and why it’s a big deal for access and…
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A videophone is one of the most important communication tools in modern Deaf culture. If you’ve ever wondered how Deaf people “make phone calls,” this article is for you. A Videophone, or “VP” allows Deaf people who use ASL to…
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President Trump says that providing a sign language interpreter during White House briefings would “severely intrude on the President’s prerogative to control the image he presents to the public.” Today my feed is filled with outraged responses from Deaf people…
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A TTY (or TDD) is a typing device that once played the central role in Deaf telecommunications—how Deaf and hard of hearing people made phone calls. Long before texting, smartphones, videophones, or relay services existed, Deaf people were way ahead…
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The benefits of using a Deaf Interpreter or Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) are far better known today than they were a decade ago. But a few myths still linger — among us Deaf people and among hearing ASL interpreters who…
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The new Deaf President Now! film is now streaming on Apple TV+. Co-directed and produced by Nyle DiMarco, this documentary gives the hearing world rare insight into what happened during that historic week in 1988, when Deaf people stood up…
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The Deaf President Now (DPN) movement remains one of the most powerful civil rights victories in American history. In March 1988, students at Gallaudet University, the world’s only liberal arts university for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students, sparked a week-long protest…
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Deaf Awareness events are held on certain established days, weeks or months with the celebratory purpose of raising public awareness about Deaf Culture and people. That is, Deaf people who embrace the use of sign language and enjoy a life…
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A Deaf Interpreter or CDI (Certified Deaf Interpreter) is a Deaf or hard-of-hearing professional trained in advanced interpreting, cultural mediation, and specialized communication techniques. CDIs work alongside hearing ASL interpreters to ensure Deaf consumers receive accurate, clear, and culturally appropriate…
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Jen Leora is a Deaf Mom, Wife, Writer. Paradoxically musical. Probably procrastinating right now. Read more…
