Did you know?

Did you know that Sign Language is NOT universal?

Each country has their own Sign Language. In America, we use American Sign Language. Ireland has Irish Sign Language. France has French Sign Language, and on and on throughout the world!

Did you know that Americans use different signs depending in which of the 50 states they live?

These are called Regional Signs. In some states “hospital” is signed on the arm. In other states it is signed on the forehead. There are several signs for the word “birthday." Which sign you use depends on which state you live in. Regional signs are similar to Regional spoken English. In some states they say “It’s time to take a bath.” Other states say “It’s time to take a tubby.” You know those things on 4 wheels that you push around a grocery store? Some states call those “buggies” and some states call those “carts” or “carriages”.

Did you know it’s okay to say the word “Deaf?"

I get it, sometimes it’s hard to know which term is accepted and appropriate, especially when there are so many terms out there: “Hearing Impaired," “Deaf-Mute," “Hearing Loss." None of those terms should be used. The Deaf Community has widely accepted and prefers to be called either “Deaf” or “Hard of Hearing." It is completely appropriate to use either of these terms.

Did you know that every Deaf person is different?

It seems like a silly questions, but some people are surprised to know that some people have a strong grasp of written and spoken English, and some don’t. For some people, American Sign Language(ASL) is their first and only language, meaning some people may know little or no English their whole lives. Some people have ASL as their first Language and English as their second language. Some may learn both languages simultaneously. Some may grow up learning to speak and read lips and they never learn sign language. This impacts a person's sentence structure when they sign. Some people sign similar to English word order, which is typically Subject, Verb, Object (example: Jack throws the ball.). Others sign in American Sign Language sentence structure, which is typically Object, Subject, Verb (example: The ball, Jack throws). This also impacts whether or not a person mouths English words when they sign. Hearing and Deaf people are the same. We all have different upbringings, education, and experiences that impact how we speak and perceive language.

Did you know that the Deaf Community consists of Deaf AND Hearing people?

That's right. You don't have to be Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing to be part of the Deaf Community. Some examples of hearing people in the Deaf Community are: hearing family members of Deaf people who learn sign language, and hearing interpreters.

Do you know what "Deaf Culture" means?

Everyone belongs to a culture no matter who you are, where you’re from or what you look like. A person’s culture is their belonging. It is where people go to be with other people who are similar to themselves in order to feel validated, supported, and loved through shared life experience. Culture is how we act and how we express ourselves. Culture is a collective community that may share common interests and customs. The central unifying factor of the Deaf Community is American Sign Language (ASL). People of all ages, religions, backgrounds, and education levels come together to celebrate all their language can express. American Sign Language can create beautiful poetry, lyrics, art, dancing, story telling, comedy, movies, and so much more.

Do you know what a Cochlear Implant is?

A Cochlear Implant is a two-part device. Part 1 is surgically placed in the head behind one or both of the ears. Part 2 is worn externally on the ear. Part 1 and Part 2 connect through a magnet to form the full Cochlear Implant device. This device attempts to collect sound through Part 2 and send it to Part 1, which sends the sound to the brain. In other words, a Cochlear Implant attempts to help a person hear sound. However, the success of this device varies.

Do you know what a Hearing Aid is?

A hearing aid is a more simple one-part device. It is worn externally on the ear. It collects sound and sends it to the brain through a person's natural ear. It essentially amplifies sound so the sound can make the long journey all the way to the brain.