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).

ASL is a beautiful language and a gift from the Deaf community, and we applaud your desire to become more involved in its usage! Check with your local community college or Continuing Education Program for a beginning ASL course, visit a nearby Center on Deafness, and seek out the many excellent online resources for information on Deaf culture and your local Deaf community. For more information, visit our Links page.

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.

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.

One of the many unique aspects of the program is the involvement of the local Deaf community. This involvement ranges from Deaf individuals serving on the Program Advisory Committee, to acting as language models for students in class, to doing live presentations which students interpret. A service the program offers in return to the Deaf community is to have students offer volunteer interpreting services.

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.

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They won't unless you choose to tell them. Other naturists are, of course, fully understanding and would want to protect your enjoyment of naturism rather than jeopardise it. People are usually interested in the subject, and naturism is something to be proud of. Naturists cover the complete range - singles, partners, married couples... Our club is family orientated, and often you will see parents with children or with their grandparents.

The reason some people say there is no such thing as a teacup is because the term “teacup” is not a registered breed. It is only a term that breeders use to identify the tiniest size. All “teacups” are registered as “toys.” Why some people get bent out of shape over this is a mystery. It is not a big deal, and everyone who sells teacups knows they are registered as toys.

Rear-facing IS safest. It is best to remain rear-facing to the weight and height limits of the carseat. Some convertible carseats have 30 or 35 pound rear-facing limits. In all cases, infants should be rear-facing until they are BOTH one year AND twenty pounds at the very minimum. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be kept in rear-facing seats for as long as possible. See these links for more details:

Answer:Give the child time to process your language, to understand the message and carry out the action. First of all before you speak make sure your child is looking at you by calling his name. If eye contact is difficult for your child do not insist on it, kneel down to your child's level and face them, so they can see your mouth peripherally. If the child does not respond to their name, gently tap them on the shoulder or arm. A high sing songy voice can help to catch their attention too.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

It is important for individuals who want to become fluent in communicating with deaf and hard of hearing persons to engage in regular interaction. Of course, in approaching such endeavors, the right to privacy and independence of deaf and hard of hearing persons must always be respected. So, what options exist for connecting with the Deaf Community? Consider some of the following community-based options. Make contact with the state association of the deaf.

Generally, we refer these requests to the Community Service Center for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing simply because they have greater resources and a better understanding of this community's specific needs. However, we do supply ASL (American Sign Language) interpreters for transplant patients at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. We work with a pool of seasoned freelance interpreters who have their own schedules, and, unfortunately, quality interpreters are not always available on demand.