National Deaf Awareness Month
Every September, Deaf Awareness Month spotlights Deaf culture, language, and accessibility issues. Join us in celebrating!
Origins & History
Did you know that according to the Hearing Loss Association of America, approximately 48 million Americans have hearing loss? Deaf Awareness Month shines a light on deaf culture and honors key figures in the Deaf community and important historical milestones.
How did it start?
At the Martin Luther King Jr. National Library, two deaf employees taught their colleagues sign language. This inspired the library to host Deaf Awareness Week in Washington, D.C. The National Association of the Deaf caught on and turned it into a month-long event in 1996. From 1997 onwards, National Deaf Awareness Month has been observed every year in September.
Historical Milestones
During awareness month, three important events in Deaf history are remembered. Read on to learn more about these events!
First Public School for the Deaf
The first school for the deaf opened in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1817. Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc founded it, now known as the American School for the Deaf. This was a significant event, as many believed the deaf could not be educated before its establishment.
Founding of Gallaudet University
Thomas Gallaudet later recognized the need for accessible higher education for deaf students. He became the superintendent in 1864 of the National College for the Deaf and Dumb, which has since been renamed Gallaudet College and is now Gallaudet University. It is the world’s largest university for deaf and hard of hearing students.
First Deaf President
Gallaudet University has a long history of having hearing presidents. By March 1988, many deaf students were dissatisfied with the lack of deaf representation and started protests, known as the “Deaf President Now” movement. After announcing a hearing candidate over two deaf candidates, the students, supported by faculty, staff, and alumni, refused to accept the decision and shut down the campus. The protest gained national attention and closed the campus for a week, eventually leading to the appointment of the college’s first deaf president, Dr. King Jordan.
Importance of Awareness
Awareness aims to educate and bring about necessary change for a specific group. Let’s learn more about the goals of Deaf Awareness Month!
Educate Society
There are many myths and misconceptions about deafness and hearing loss. Education dispels myths and teaches people what life is like for the deaf and hard of hearing. For example, one common misconception is that there is a universal sign language. In reality, over 300 different sign languages are used worldwide!
Promote Inclusion
Deaf and hard of hearing people have long fought for equal rights, such as passing the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, more work must be done, such as ensuring access to captioning at movie theaters and sign language interpreters at schools and medical appointments. Mainstream society can do much to push for greater inclusion for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Encourage Advocacy
Inclusion fosters advocacy and ensures that deaf people have a seat at the table when decisions are made. As deaf people are a cultural and linguistic minority, having strong advocates makes it easier for them to be heard.
International Awareness
Deaf Awareness Month is also celebrated internationally during the fourth week of September every year. The organization World Federation of the Deaf promotes “International Week of the Deaf,” which highlights the importance of the human rights of the deaf worldwide.
How to Celebrate Deaf Awareness Month
Are you wondering how you can participate in Deaf Awareness Month? Here are some activities you can engage in!
Learn & Educate Others
Take the time to learn from deaf teachers and influencers about deaf culture and how to use ASL. Read books about deaf history and famous deaf individuals. Educate family and friends when common myths arise and demonstrate inclusive communication and access.
Participate in Events
Find your local ASL meetups to connect with other deaf people and practice using sign language. Meeting deaf and hard of hearing people will increase your awareness of deaf culture and ongoing issues locally and nationwide.
Advocate for Accessibility
Ask your movie theaters to offer open-captioned showings. Petition your city council to expand inclusive deaf education opportunities. Urge local community colleges and universities to provide ASL classes and programs. Remind your favorite social media influencers to caption their content. These actions can help improve accessibility for the deaf and hard of hearing in your community.
Summary
Every September, we honor the deaf community and the historical milestones achieved while bringing awareness to a minority group. Join us at Nagish in celebrating the deaf, hard of hearing, and American Sign Language. We invite you to learn, educate, and advocate within your community. Together, we can make a difference and build greater inclusion for all!
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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