4 Ways to Improve Your Deaf Awareness During Deaf Awareness Week

September 20-26^th

• Understand the difference between deaf and Deaf 
  • “deaf” is used to denote anyone with a hearing loss or someone with a hearing loss who does not identify as culturally Deaf
  • “Deaf” denotes a specific group of individuals who define themselves as culturally Deaf, typically people with a hearing loss who use American Sign Language
  • d/Deaf is used to refer to anyone in either group
• Get up to date with acceptable terminology 
  • Because of the negative connotations it can carry, “hearing impaired” is a term that is no longer accepted to describe this community. Instead, try using “Deaf or d/Deaf”, “hard of hearing”, or “hearing loss”!
• Learn American Sign Language (ASL) 
  • With many resources taking a virtual turn this year, it is now easier than ever to find ASL learning tools. One great resources is Gallaudet University, the first and only university specifically for d/Deaf and hard of hearing students. They offer videos and lessons for free here! If you’d like to learn about other ASL resources, let us know!
• Tune into our webinar TODAY (9/23) at 1pm to learn all about Deaf Sensitivity!
  • Click here to register! If you’re unable to catch it today, it’ll be up on MyODP.org under Trainings>Special Populations>Deaf Services in just a few days!

Content provided by Pennsylvania Office for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing