Deaf Perspectives
Partnering with the Deaf Community
This project would not be complete without talking to various members of the Deaf Community and learning firsthand what they would like to see improve between hearing and Deaf allyship.
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Watch our video to hear from them!
Advice From Deaf Teachers
We couldn't forget to connect with our ASL teachers, who have a unique perspective in interacting with hearing and Deaf students every day.
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Here's what they had to say!
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- Keep your mind open and be patient with communication. "It's nice to connect with people who understand me." ~ Joshua
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- Don't be afraid to ask Deaf people questions! Don't group all Deaf people and experiences together--engage with them, volunteer with them, learn about their lives and advocate for improved accessibility to hospitals and other services for Deaf people. ~ Jenny
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- It's okay to attend a Deaf event even if you're not fluent in ASL-- writing and gesturing along with conversational ASL is enough to have a successful conversation. Your signing will improve as you exercise that muscle by interacting with others.
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- Look for events nearby. Deaf churches and newsletters are great places to find events. The Deaf-Hearing Communication Centre (DHCC) has a list of Philadelphia-based events. ~ former ASL teacher and current DHCC representative Karen
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- Connect through social media. Facebook and Instagram are great ways to join Deaf community groups, keep up with Deaf events, and learn sign language.
What Messages do Hearing Students Have for Deaf Organizations and Teachers?
We talked with hearing ASL students to identify what Deaf organizations and teachers can do to help these students feel more comfortable attending Deaf community events.
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- Students say they would feel more inclined to attend Deaf events if the event explicitly states it's open to individuals learning ASL, rather than being a Deaf-only event.
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- Students say they would feel more comfortable attending Deaf events if event expectations were posted, such as if they should bring food to a happy hour or a gift to a holiday party.
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- Students say they would feel more prepared to attend Deaf events if they knew regional variations of signs they might encounter.