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National Deaf Awareness Month

Every September, Deaf Awareness Month spotlights Deaf culture, language, and accessibility issues. Join us in celebrating!

Author:
Molly Glass
National Deaf Awareness Month

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!

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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!

A group of young friends are outside throwing confetti.
A group of young friends are outside throwing confetti.

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!

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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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National Deaf Awareness Month

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.

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.