Generally, churches will establish an area called the "Deaf Section," although Deaf people may also choose to sit in other locations. Usually the Deaf Section is in the front and to one side of the church. It is recommended that the section be located where Deaf people can easily see the interpreter, the speaker, and any visuals such as PowerPoint or videos. Also, it is recommended that the Deaf Section NOT be in the back of the church, as Deaf people rely upon their eyes to communicate.

Watching an interpreter for a long time is not easy. Also, some interpreters have difficulty clearly interpreting church services. Church interpreters should improve their sign language and interpreting skill to more clearly communicate what is being said in church. I am a church interpreter. Should I become certified? How? Becoming certified is not essential to interpreting in church, but it is highly recommended. The certification process is a valuable learning process.

Not necessarily. Whether or not Deaf people come may be influenced by their own church background (or lack of one), interpreter skill, your heart for Deaf people, accessibility, and other factors. Generally, a heart for Deaf people is more important than interpreter skill, although skill is important.

Deaf people grow in their relationship with Christ, they should be encouraged to become more involved in church. All workers should be qualified before being allowed to serve. This includes Deaf people. Just because a person is Deaf does not mean he can teach Deaf people. Positions such as greeters and ushers are good places for Deaf people to start serving God in church. As they become more mature in Christ, they can become teachers, leaders, deacons, and pastors.

A variety of meetings are available, depending on church needs. See Types of Meetings for more information.

Several things are needed, including trained and qualified workers, Deaf Sunday School classroom, support of the Pastor. Teach new workers basic Sign Language (ASL Video Vocabulary is a good tool). Also, read How to Develop a Deaf Ministry

Contact schools, colleges, Deaf Service Centers, or other agencies that work with Deaf people to inquire about the local Deaf population. Typically, Deaf people will know the general local Deaf population in their area. It is safe to estimate that there will be at least one Deaf person for every 1000 hearing people in an area. These numbers may increase in larger areas.

Deaf people tend to value clear communication. If the word "fat" is what is meant, then the word "fat" is used. Hearing people tend to use other, nicer, words such as "overweight," "plump," or "chunky." Hearing people should understand that Deaf people want you to be clear when communicating with them. Say what you mean! Most of the time you will not be too blunt for Deaf people, but they will appreciate your clear communication.

No. Some people who are deaf (and many who are hard of hearing) are trained in lip reading (or speech reading). In certain settings, when the speaker cannot be observed, they rely on the use of an Oral Interpreter who is specially trained to articulate speech silently and clearly, as well as rephrase or choose words that give higher visibility on the lips. Natural gestures and body language can also be used.

First, get the support of the pastor. Next, learn Sign Language. Then, publicize the ministry. Also, start a Deaf Bible class, which is the most important part of the deaf ministry. Read read How to Develop a Deaf Ministry for more information. SWM assists churches of like faith in starting deaf ministries. Pastors can contact SWM for a meeting. Laymen can call, email, or write for advice. See contact page.

Just like ordinary people. "Some believed, and some believed not." However in Africa, for example, scores of deaf people have been saved, baptized and nurtured in the Word of God. Many are helping to educate and evangelize other deaf Africans.

The best way to meet Deaf people is to go where they meet. Go to social gatherings such as dinners at the local mall, Deaf Coffee, and some Deaf clubs. Contact Deaf leaders in your community to locate these gathering places.

The greatest need of Deaf people is the same as for hearing people -- to have Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Our ministry is dedicated to the Great Commission of reaching and teaching Deaf people with the Good News about Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23. "All" means all people, even the Deaf. Deafness is not a handicap, but a "communication handicap." Special effort is needed to get the Gospel to Deaf people.

This questions is sometimes still being asked. Blind people use braile to read. Deaf people use Sign Language to communicate. Deaf-blind people use braile to read and tactile (hand touch) Sign Language to communicate. Do you have a question? Send us your question by email. Questions of general interest may by posted on this page in the future. Send questions to

We're either born deaf or become deaf. A person born deaf is said to be congenitally deaf; a person who becomes deaf after birth is adventitiously deaf. Adventitious deafness can be either pre - lingual (occurring during the first 3 years of life). Or post-lingual (becoming deaf after age 3.

This is a cultural and based upon experience. Hearing people have historically dominated Deaf people. Often Deaf people's desires have not been acknowledged or even surpressed. Deaf people can tend to be cautious when dealing with hearing people, possibly because of bad past experiences. This can be overcome as a Deaf person gets to know a hearing person better. What is the difference between big "D" Deaf and little "d" deaf? This is an interesting question.

All these and many more situations can induce a light hypnotic trance. The question we should ask is, "am I going into hypnosis only when I want to, and when I can trust what is being said to me ?". We have found that many people are spending much of their day in a free floating hypnotic state, falling victim to whatever influences they encounter. In this case we can give them suggestions to avoid going into hypnosis during the day when they may otherwise pick up negative influences.

No census of deaf and hard of hearing persons has ever been carried out in the State of Texas primarily due to the cost of such a monumental effort. The "Summary Health Statistics for U.S. Adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2005", U.S.

SWM has a wide variety of materials for teaching Deaf people. It is recommended to start with our 8-year Sunday School program.

Parents are often the source of a child's early acquisition of language. A deaf child who is born to deaf parents who already use ASL will begin to acquire ASL as naturally as a hearing child picks up spoken language from hearing parents. However, language is acquired differently by a deaf child with hearing parents who have no prior experience with ASL. Some hearing parents choose to introduce sign language to their deaf children.

We sure do! There are more than 30 Deaf Queer organizations in the United States. Some of these organizations, such as the Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf, date back to the 1970s! The Deaf Queer Resource Center maintains the most complete list in the country of these groups. Find it in our Organizations section.

No, we don’t have it as a standard service although it could certainly be arranged. Keep in mind however that you will follow very simple written instructions and our friendly staff will most likely anticipate

Only a small percentage of language is speech readable. Many words look the same on the lips. What the mouth can form is only a small portion of speech reading. The other factors affecting speech reading ability are not visible in that manner.

Every user's experience is different, but many report that they are able to locate the direction sounds are coming from, and almost all can put a telephone to the dead ear and hear the dial tone. In quiet conditions, most can carry on a phone conversation using the aided ear, and whispers can usually be heard from the TransEar side.

It is important to accept and understand that your child is deaf and will never have normal hearing. This can help you focus on the many options available for your child regarding methods of communication, school and social lifestyle. The Deaf Community communicates in many different ways: oral communication (speech), manual communication (sign language), and total communication (combination of speech and sign language).

The person leading the service usually tells you. If he forgets, watch the people around you. Don't be afraid to ask someone near you - they'll be glad to help.

Pictures are a great tool to share the Gospel. Our booklet, You Can Go To Heaven, has been used to lead many Deaf and hearing people to Christ. Also, SWM has a wide variety of printed tracts. Online tracts are listed here.

Yes. The Center offers Speech-Language services to hearing clients. The clients are often the children of Gallaudet employees or students, as well as clients from the community around Gallaudet. This is an underserved community that relies on the Hearing and Speech Center to be able to receive services. Therapy is provided to help children with articulation problems, specific language deficits, as well as children and adults with fluency problems or voice disorders.

Gallaudet has had a number of deaf and hard of hearing graduates in the past. It is part of our mission to make the professions of audiology and speech-language science as accessible as possible for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. For example, our first year audiology class is comprised of 25% deaf or hard of hearing students. Gallaudet graduates are breaking new ground in the audiology profession and depathologizing hearing, speech and language sciences.