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.

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.

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.

Some programs are available with closed captions or supertext. To see a list of these programs, choose the Closed Caption or Supertext categories on the Search page. If a title has closed captions or supertext, this information will also appear on the specific program page.

No. The SIGN with your BABY® program was developed for hearing babies and hearing parents. However, because the program is based on American Sign Language, it is also useful for children who have special needs, including deaf children. It is important to remember that children who will use ASL as their primary form of communication will need the support of other professionals who will teach them all elements of ASL.

Yes. The agency supports a community of eleven Deaf/HOH people in the Berkshires and a smaller group in the Springfield area. Please see Deaf/HOH Services

Depending on the person’s communications needs, you may receive assistance from the Virginia Department of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH). VDDHH providers an interpreter directory if the person requires a sign language interpreter. As you schedule ongoing meetings you may also use Virginia Relay to call the person – just dial 711! If the person is hard of hearing, you may use an assistive listening device. Call VDDHH for information in devices available for loan.

No. A hearing aid is not a miracle machine. It's a tiny amplifier. It makes sounds louder, and that's all it can do. It amplifies everything it picks up, without distinction-- all sounds that happen to pop up in the immediate area as well as distracting background noises like traffic. A hearing aid cannot "zero in" on the voice or voices you most want to pick up; it doesn't work selectively as our hearing does. And it cannot make other people's speech clearer, merely louder.

The deaf or hard-of-hearing population is estimated by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. According to their 1990 and 1991 Health Interview Surveys, approximately 20 million persons, or 8.6 percent of the total U.S. population 3 years and older, were reported to have hearing problems (Table 1).* The elderly were more likely than any other age group to have hearing problems (Figure 1).

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.

DSP&S provides sign language and oral interpreters, real-time captioning (RTC) or Assistive Listening Devices (FM systems) for students and staff who require this service for their communication needs. Services are available by request for all Cerritos College related functions. Requests for these services should be made at least 5 days in advance of any class, meeting, or event.

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.

Of the estimated 20 million deaf and hard-of-hearing persons in the U.S., approximately 3 out of every 4 persons had onset of hearing loss after age 18 (Table 11). Less than 1 in 5 reported they had prevocational hearing loss (i.e. onset before 19 years of age). Approximately 5% reported prelingual loss (i.e., onset before 3 years of age).

Of the estimated 19 million deaf and hard-of-hearing adults in the U.S., 33.7% report that their loss is due to some sort of noise (Table 12). Another 28% report that their loss is due to age, while 17.1% report that it is due to infection or injury. Only 4.4% report the presence of hearing loss at birth.

Etiology information is available for approximately one-half of the students reported to the 1992-93 Annual Survey of Hearing Impaired Children and Youth, conducted by the Center for Assessment and Demographic Studies. It is estimated that this survey represents 60-65% of the population of deaf and hard-of-hearing students in the U.S. who receive special education services.

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