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Deaf Culture
March 28, 2024
6 Min

Immerse Yourself in Deaf Culture: Explore Washington D.C.

One of the biggest hubs of Deaf culture is Washington, D.C. Explore its amazing communities and locations in this article, click here to find out more!

Author:
Molly Glass
Immerse Yourself in Deaf Culture: Explore Washington D.C.
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Deaf communities tend to congregate in cities, as it makes it easier to socialize in their sign language and find accessible options. Deaf communities are made up of d/Deaf, hard of hearing, late deafened, and CODAs who are joined by the same shared language. 

Areas such as Martha’s Vineyard, Austin, TX, Los Angeles, CA, and Rochester, NY have the highest density of Deaf people living in one area.  One such place where you will find many Deaf people is Washington D.C. – home of Gallaudet University, the world’s largest Deaf university. 

Let’s dive in!

Dive into Culinary Exploration

Down a Pint at Veditz and Company

Friends drinking and toasting beer mugs.
Friends drinking and toasting beer mugs.

If you can take a day drive a short distance from D.C., an hour away, you will find Veditz Brewing, a Deaf-owned brewery. Named after George Veditz, who was a well-known Deaf educator, filmmaker, and activist who once served as the 7th President of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD). Veditz is also known for his efforts to preserve and nurture sign language, as he filmed himself signing ASL in 1913 in a film titled ‘Preservation of the Sign Language’.

Fun Fact 

It’s the only Deaf brewery in Virginia and one of only three in America. All wall art is from Deaf artists. Check their social media for “sip and sign” events! 

The Location 

7G River Lane, Sperryville, VA

Get Coffee at the Starbucks Signing Store

A young barista woman wearing a green apron is holding a tray of coffee.
A young barista woman wearing a green apron is holding a tray of coffee.

The very first and only ASL Starbucks chain store in America is located in the heart of D.C. and boasts employees who are all fluent in ASL. Stop by to order a coffee drink or pick up a specially designed Starbucks mug with Deaf designs!

Fun Fact

Only Deaf employees wear the fingerspelled Starbucks logo on their aprons. Hearing employees will wear “I Sign” pins on their standard aprons. Customers not ASL fluent can request drinks by writing on a digital board. 

The Location

625 H Street Washington, DC 20002

Visit Streetcar 82 Brewery

A yellow tram on a city street.
A yellow tram on a city street.

Also a short hop away from D.C. in Maryland, this Deaf-owned brewery offers a different experience in a former automobile repair shop. Its name comes from a vintage streetcar line that used to run through the heart of D.C. Open daily with various opening hours, see the Streetcar 82 website for up-to-date information. 

The Location

4824 Rhode Island Ave

Hyattsville, MD 20781

Order a Pizza at Mozzeria

A group of people sits around a table as a waiter serves a pizza.
A group of people sits around a table as a waiter serves a pizza.

Mozzeria is a Deaf owned and operated Pizzeria restaurant with locations in both D.C. and the Bay Area of California. They specialize in authentic wood-fired Neapolitan pizza. For dining in, call or make a reservation online at their website. 

Fun Fact

Nonsigning customers can use a provided list of gestures, pointing to the menu, or an ink-free doodle pad to write to show their order request. Additionally, Mozzeria believes that human communication is not just words. 

The Location

1300 H Street NE, Suite A

Washington D.C

Learn Deaf History at Museum Exhibits

Two people looking at art displays on a wall in a museum.
Two people looking at art displays on a wall in a museum.

National Deaf Life Museum

Located at Gallaudet University, this museum explores the history of Deaf culture, technology, and language. Open from 10 am - 4 pm, Monday through Friday. Check their social media for special events or closures. 

The Location

Chapel Hall, Gallaudet University 

800 Florida Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002

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National Gallery of Art

This D.C. Art museum offers ASL-led tours for Deaf visitors. For more information, see their accessibility page. There are also exhibits with ASL and captioned video displays. Admission is always free. 

The Location

West building: 6th St and Constitution Ave NW

East building: 4th St and Constitution Ave NW

Smithsonian American Art Museum

This D.C. museum offers ASL-oriented events. Reservations are required and can be purchased on their website. Open from Monday to Sunday, from 11:30 am to 7 pm. 

The Location

8th and G Streets, NW

Washington, DC 20004

Celebrating Connections: Local Events 

A group of people laughing in a movie theater while drinking and eating popcorn.
A group of people laughing in a movie theater while drinking and eating popcorn.

Watch an Open Caption Movie

The DC Office for Human Rights (OHR) recently passed legislation in October 2024 requiring movie theaters in DC to provide open-captioned films a minimum of three times a week during peak hours. 

For captioned movie showtimes, follow DC's Open Captioned Movies on Facebook. Attending these captioned movie showtimes not only allows you to enjoy the latest movie releases but also provides an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow members of the Deaf community!

The Locations

AMC, Landmark, and Regal Theater chains

Attend the National Theatre of the Deaf

Since 1967, deaf and hard-of-hearing actors at NTD have provided plays and entertainment to DC in ASL. Follow their Facebook page or subscribe to their website for email alerts to new showings.

Tour Gallaudet University

A visit to D.C. would be lacking without a stop at the world’s largest Deaf university. This school is unique because inclusivity is centered; all programs and degrees are directly accessible for deaf and hard of hearing students in American Sign Language. 

All professors, staff, and students sign and communicate fluently without the need for external interpretation. This provides a seamless exchange of knowledge and ideas without any loss of information. Tours are held daily, several times a day. For more information see the Gallaudet website. 

The Location

Maguire Welcome Center

800 Florida Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002

Look for More Events on Eventbrite

For more up-to-date events, go to Eventbrite and search by “ASL” or “Deaf”, and filter the location by D.C. There are typically many options, locations, and things to do than we can mention here. 

Conclusion

We hope that this guide enriches your experience into the vibrant tapestry of Deaf culture within D.C. As you delve into the rich history and diverse experiences of the Deaf community during your time in Washington D.C., may you find inspiration, connection, and a deeper understanding of the d/Deaf experience. 

Whether you're enjoying a leisurely coffee, drinking beer, savoring a slice of Mozzeria pizza, exploring captivating museums, visiting Gallaudet University, or seeing a great captioned film, we know you’ll leave D.C. with lifelong memories to cherish.

Whether you're 18 or 100, staying connected matters—and Nagish is here to help.
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Molly Glass

Molly, a Deaf mom of two CODAs, lives with her hearing partner of almost 14 years in the scenic Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia. Profoundly Deaf since 18 months old, she enjoys writing about the lived Deaf experiences and advocacy. In her free time she reads, and is very slowly working on authoring her first book.

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Nagish Acquires Sign.mt to Drive Research in AI and Sign Language. 
‍Read the announcement

Immerse Yourself in Deaf Culture: Explore Washington D.C.

Key Findings

  • Workplace Impact: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals report that communication barriers hinder career mobility.
  • Healthcare Challenges: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals experience communication barriers in healthcare settings, contributing to delays in treatment.
  • Concerns About Emergency Communications: 20% of Deaf and 24.3% Hard-of-Hearing users also expressed serious concerns that communication barriers would prohibit them from contacting healthcare personnel in an emergency situation.
  • Independence Boost: Assistive technology nearly doubled rates of independence, with 60% of Deaf users and 63% of Hard-of-Hearing users reporting increased autonomy.
  • Emotional Strain: 55% of Deaf users and 83% of Hard-of-Hearing users reported emotional distress due to communication frustrations.
  • Social and Professional Opportunities: 46% of Deaf and 32.9% of Hard-of-Hearing users saw improved social and career prospects thanks to assistive technologies.

Empowering the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Through Technology: A New Era of Communication and Independence

At Nagish, we’ve seen firsthand just how much communication shapes daily life for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities. Our recent survey highlights the significant barriers they face in the workplace, healthcare settings, and in their social lives. But it also sheds light on a powerful solution: assistive technology. The results of this survey reinforce our commitment to empowering these communities and remind us why our mission matters: with access to the right tools, independence grows, opportunities expand, and well-being improves.

We collected data through a comprehensive survey involving over 300 individuals who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing and currently use hearing assistive technology. The survey included 179 Deaf and 140 Hard-of-Hearing participants, with data collected in an inclusive and accessible manner to ensure that everyone could participate and share their experiences without barriers.Communication Barriers in the Workplace: Limiting Career Mobility

Communication challenges in the workplace remain one of the most significant hurdles for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals, preventing them from fully realizing their career potential. Assistive technology offers a solution by removing these barriers and expanding access to a broader range of job opportunities and career growth.

Download the PDF Report

A majority of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing participants reported that communication barriers affected their career decisions, making it harder to pursue job opportunities or advance in their careers.

Deaf Participants

Hard-of-Hearing participants

65% of Deaf users rely on assistance from hearing individuals at least once a week to communicate effectively, which can limit their ability to fully engage in dynamic work environments.

Communication Barriers in Healthcare: A Matter of Public Safety
Communication challenges are not just a workplace issue — they extend into healthcare settings, where they can directly impact individuals’ health outcomes. Accessible communication tools are essential for ensuring that Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can receive timely and accurate medical care, especially in emergency situations

Many Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users face communication barriers in healthcare settings, which can lead to missed appointments, misunderstandings about medical treatments, and delayed care.

Deaf users:

62%

Hard of Hearing users:

66%

Some Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users have concerns about reaching healthcare professionals in emergencies, highlighting serious public safety risks.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Empowering Independence Through Assistive Technology
One of the most encouraging findings from our survey is just how much independence is boosted with assistive technology. This improvement in independence is not just about doing things on their own; it’s about having the confidence and ability to engage fully in both professional and personal settings.

Assistive technology has significantly increased the independence of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users in managing daily tasks, showing clear improvements after adoption.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Expanding Social and Professional Opportunities
Beyond independence, assistive technology creates connection.By removing communication barriers that keep people from joining in socially or professionallyassistive technology allows users to engage more deeply in social activities and pursue career opportunities that were previously out of reach.

Assistive technology has helped Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users expand their social networks and professional opportunities, enabling new connections and career growth.

Emotional and Psychological Impact: The Hidden Toll of Communication Barriers
People often overlook the emotional and psychological toll of communication , but they can have a profound impact on the mental well-being of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals. Assistive technology can help alleviate this emotional strain, empowering users to communicate more effectively and reducing the anxiety associated with relying on others for basic communication.

A significant number of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users experience frustration and anxiety when communicating with family and friends, leading to isolation and stress.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Why This Matters: A Call for Widespread Adoption of Assistive Technologies
The findings from our survey are clear: communication barriers continue to limit the lives of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals in many areas, from the workplace to healthcare to their social lives. What’s also clear to us is that the question isn’t whether assistive technology helps—it’s how quickly we can make this powerful solution universally available.. By making these tools more accessible, we can open up new opportunities for individuals to thrive in their careers, maintain better health, and lead more independent lives.
At Nagish, we are committed to advocating for the integration of assistive technologies in all aspects of life. Whether it’s in healthcare, the workplace, or social settings, these technologies have the potential to create a more inclusive society where Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can live fully empowered lives. 
Our hope is that these findings inspire not just awareness, but action. We hope this survey creates awareness and action in promoting accessibility and inclusion for these communities. Together, we can create a world where everyone, regardless of their hearing abilities, has equal access to opportunities and services.