Deafness
Instant messaging and chat rooms have basically created a level playing field for deaf people - Vint Cerf
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What Wikipedia Can’t Teach You About Deafness
The Wikipedia entry on deafness will give you the definition, signs and symptoms, causes, diagnoses, prevention, treatments and more. These are all from the medical perspective of being deaf, with a small “d”, and doesn’t show you the full story of a Deaf person, with a capital “D”.
What’s the difference between deaf and Deaf?
People who are “deaf” usually don’t associate with other members of the deaf community, usually don’t sign, strive to fit in more with hearing people, and identify their hearing loss in medical terms only. People who are “Deaf” identify themselves as culturally deaf and have a strong Deaf identity. They usually come from a School…
Resources
How to Turn Challenges Like Deafness Into Gifts
From believing that nothing is given to you that you can’t handle. I don’t like the word disability, I never say anyone is disabled. I say they have challenges. I look at my deafness as a gift and try to apply it to my clients’ experiences. It’s not always easy, but I try to take those challenges and turn them around into a positive experience.
How We Used VR to Explore What Music Feels Like to a Deaf Person
We started to adapt Rachel’s article into a storyboard and quickly settled on a VR piece that would be a mix of animation and live-action, with narration from Rachel.
A Son’s Deafness Prompts a Scientific Journey
Dr. Marschark hypothesizes that deaf children use their brains differently from hearing children. They quickly learn to pay attention to the visual world, and that leads to differences in brain structure. “Deaf children are not hearing children who can’t hear,” he said. “There are subtle cognitive differences between the two groups.”
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Fight to Be Heard
While the broader culture has become accustomed to certain changes the law has engendered, particularly wheelchair access, the rights of the deaf have frequently been misunderstood or simply disregarded.
Deaf Women History Is Something to Celebrate
History is full of deaf women who changed the world forever, yet the names of these women and their accomplishments often get buried or left out of text books.
Dear Media: Stop Describing the Deaf as ‘Mute’
The phrase “deaf-mute” is problematic, and it is not an appropriate way to discuss a person. Calling someone “mute” silences them and strips them of their agency — it sticks a label on them that devalues their autonomy. Mute is a loaded term which carries the distinct connotation that people who are deaf don’t have anything to say.
Explore the Silent World of Deaf America
The best reason to learn sign language is that it allows you to communicate with the estimated half million Americans who use ASL as their primary language. This gives you the opportunity to make new friends, connect with deaf classmates and coworkers, or help deaf customers feel welcome at your business.
How Facebook Allows Me to Connect With People in Ways My Deafness Prevents
Because of my hearing aids, I was never quite deaf enough to join the deaf community, but my severe hearing loss also meant I wasn’t a member of the hearing community, either. Friends referred to me as a “hearfie,” both hearing and deaf. My ability to speak and read lips allowed me to pass in the hearing world, but it also made life exhausting.
How Gallaudet University’s Architects Are Redefining Deaf Space
The world’s only liberal arts institution for the Deaf creates an architectural movement.
How Technology Could Threaten Deaf Identity
When cochlear implants are no longer visible, the solidarity of a deaf community may be lost.
Living in Between the Deaf and Hearing Worlds
With cochlear implants, people can turn the noise around them on and off at will.
My Deaf Son Fought Speech. Sign Language Let Him Bloom
When Micah turned 2 we had learned that he was profoundly deaf. In the audiologist’s office, an auditory brain response concluded he couldn’t hear a helicopter. “You’re taking this well,” the doctor had said. But later, as I watched Micah step deeper into the Gulf water, I wanted to rage. I was so angry, I could have torn the beach apart. We celebrated his third birthday, and the audiologist turned his cochlear implants on for the first time.
On Deafness
I am almost entirely deaf. I read lips well, and most folks don’t know that my ears work as flaps but are otherwise pretty useless. I can hear some types of music, but can’t hear what’s going on on most television programs. I don’t mind very much. I’ve heard just about everything already and I don’t think I’ll miss hearing it the second or third time around.
Oscar-Winning Actress Marlee Matlin
On her incredible career and advocating for deaf and disability representation on screen.
Sean Forbes Paves The Way For Deaf Musicians
"Def" has been a part of hip-hop lexicon since the early 1980s, but for Sean Forbes, it means something different. The 28-year-old from suburban Detroit has been deaf since he was a baby but says that hasn't stopped him from making music. He recently released a new single called "I'm Deaf," and is busy recording more songs for an upcoming album. Forbes says music has always been part of his life.
Super Powers for the Blind and Deaf
The brain rewires itself to boost the remaining senses.
The World Still Does Not Understand Us
Just start learning today about us. Discover the hidden gems of the Deaf world, and become knowledgeable about what it is that makes us special. Learn what sign language really is all about. Be sensitive to the Deaf experience. In other words, understand us.
Understanding Deafness: Not Everyone Wants to Be 'Fixed'
Hearing people often assume that Deaf people would naturally want to take advantage of any method that could lead them to the hearing world — especially cochlear implants, the most advanced hearing technology we have. In reality, that assumption is far from true.
What Is Life Like After a Cochlear Implant for a Person Born Deaf?
When I turned on the implant about a month and half after surgery, I ran down the hall, screaming. I expected that I would be able to hear instantaneously. That proved not to be the case.
When Police Officers Don't Know About the ADA
In many jurisdictions, cops’ noncompliance with the law has led to strain and miscommunication with the deaf community.
What Wikipedia Can’t Teach You About Deafness
The Wikipedia entry on deafness will give you the definition, signs and symptoms, causes, diagnoses, prevention, treatments and more. These are all from the medical perspective of being deaf, with a small “d”, and doesn’t show you the full story of a Deaf person, with a capital “D”.
4 Game-Changing Technologies For The Deaf And Hard Of Hearing
Recent advances in technology have the potential to improve the quality of life for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Here's a look at four products in this space that caught our attention.
DeafNation
Founded in 2003 by brothers Joel and Jed Barish, DeafNation, Inc. is the international leader in video content, news coverage, social networking and special events for the greater deaf and hard-of-hearing community. The company’s brand portfolio includes DeafNation Expo, an annual tour of 10-15 expos all over the United States and deafnation.com, an exclusive social network offering resources for the deaf and hard-of-hearing such as blogs and online videos that provide in-depth coverage on current news, famous world activities and outstanding individuals.
DeafPlanet.com
The first TV show and website in American Sign Language.
The Limping Chicken
Deaf news and deaf blogs from the UK! Lays eggs every weekday.
Communication Service for the Deaf
CSD exists to address communication inequalities in the Deaf Community. There's nothing else that means more to us than communication access.
D-PAN
The Deaf Professional Arts Network (D-PAN) a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization was originally founded to make music and music culture – the predominant shared language and experience of people worldwide – universally accessible by extending its reach to the Deaf and hard of hearing. Since 2006, D-PAN has pioneered the art form of creating high quality American Sign Language (ASL) music videos, translating the lyrics of popular songs through ASL.
Deaf Education
DeafEd.net and Hands & Voices and are proud to be co-partnering on this web site. We hope that this collaboration will work to support the educational possibilities provided to children who are deaf/hard of hearing.
Deaf Linx
Deaf Linx is your resource for information on deafness, deaf culture, American Sign Langauge (ASL) and all other related topics. Deaf Linx firmly believes that deafness is not a disability, but a condition that produces a sub-culture that should be celebrated.
Deaf Newspaper
America's largest deaf news.
Deaf Strategies
Deaf Strategies has been designed with hearing impaired people in mind. It brings together strategies that people with a hearing loss have found helpful to them in a variety of situations. We hope that people will be able to dip into this pot of ideas and take what they feel they will find useful, much like the bee in the photo below takes the nectar from the poppy.
Deaf Studies Trust
DST is a national charity set up for the benefit of the Deaf community in the UK. It aims to apply research-based knowledge to practical issues for Deaf children and adults. It works also with hard of hearing adults.
Deaf Websites
Your center for deaf awareness, deaf culture and deaf resources.
Deaf.com
Your Gateway to the Deaf Community.
DeafDOC.org
Welcome to DeafDOC.org, where the difficult is easy…the impossible takes just a little longer! DeafDOC.org is your site for free, reliable health information for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HH) community, health and educational providers, interpreters, and partnerships worldwide.
DeafRead
Best of deaf blogs and vlogs.
The Deaf Resource Library
The Deaf Resource Library is a virtual library -- an online collection of reference material and links intended to educate and inform people about Deaf cultures in Japan and the United States; as well as deaf and hard of hearing related topics. While I have a bias towards cultural Deaf models, I have tried to include more material about hard of hearing issues as well.
A-Z to Deafblindness
Welcome to A-Z to Deafblindness. Please feel free to come in and browse around.
American Cochlear Implant Alliance
ACI Alliance unites the medical community, patients, families, advocates and other professionals to improve the acceptance of and access to cochlear implants for one simple reason: to help enrich people's lives.
American Society for Deaf Children
ASDC is the premier source of information for people who must make decisions about deaf children: providers, educators, legislators, and advocates.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
National association for audiologists, speech-language pathologists, speech and hearing scientists, support personnel, and students.
Association of Late-Deafened Adults
ALDA serves as a resource center providing information and referrals, self-help, and support groups for people deafened as adults. ALDA works to increase public awareness of the special needs of deafened adults.
British Deaf Association
As a member-led organisation, our work is focused on achieving equality for Deaf people through community empowerment, membership and campaigning. Working with local Deaf and BSL Communities is crucial to the success of BDA campaigns and creates opportunities for Deaf people to develop, participate and contribute in wider society.
Deaf Children Australia
DCA was established formally in 1862 to support the needs of families raising children who are deaf. DCA is one of Australia’s longest serving charities and our organisation continues to build upon our reputation for quality services and innovation.
Dogs for Better Lives
Dogs for Better Lives’ mission is to professionally train dogs to help people and enhance lives while maintaining a lifelong commitment to all dogs we rescue or breed and the people we serve.
Gate Communications
Gate Communications is a local and national not-for-profit organization serving the greater Deaf Community through the provision of Interpreting, Education, Community Events, and Outreach.
Global Coalition of Parents of Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
GPOD is an international collaboration of parent groups dedicated to promoting improved systemic protocols and practices which encourage informed choice and the empowerment of families with a deaf or hard of hearing child throughout the world.
National Association of the Deaf
NAD is the nation's premier civil rights organization of, by and for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America.
National Center On Deaf-Blindness
As a national technical assistance center funded by the federal Department of Education, NCDB works to improve the quality of life for children who are deaf-blind and their families...
National Family Association for Deaf-Blind
The National Family Association for Deaf-Blind (NFADB) is a nonprofit, volunteer-based family association. Our philosophy is that individuals who are deaf-blind are valued members of society and are entitled to the same opportunities and choices as other members of the community.
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
NIDCD is one of the institutes that make up the National Institutes of Health. NIDCD supports and conducts research and distributes information to improve the lives of millions of individuals with communication disorders.
Royal Association for Deaf People
Royal Association for Deaf People Welcome to RAD. We promote equality for Deaf people through the provision of accessible services. RAD has been working with sign language users and promoting Deaf people’s rights since 1841.
World Federation of the Deaf
WFD’s philosophy is one of equality, human rights and respect for all people, regardless of race, nationality, religion, gender, sexual preference, age and all other differences. WFD supports and promotes in its work the many United Nations conventions on human rights, with a focus on Deaf people who use sign language, and their friends and family.
American Board of Audiology
Founded in 1999, the American Board of Audiology® (ABA) is an autonomous organization dedicated to enhancing audiological services to the public. We work closely with expert practitioners across the globe to create universally recognized standards in professional audiology practice.
American Hearing Research Foundation
Founded in 1956 by Dr. George E. Shaumbaugh, Jr. in Chicago, The American Hearing Research Foundation serves two vital roles: to fund significant research in hearing and balance disorders, and to help educate the public about hearing loss and balance disorders related to the inner ear.
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