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.

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.

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.

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

Encourage your children to participate in activities they are interested in. Children and youth need the opportunity to explore new ideas and learn skills, and those who try more things tend to do better.

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.

Magna advertises job vacancies widely. It welcomes applications for membership, which are assessed according to published criteria. It also advertises non-executive positions, such as Chairmanships.

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.

Education is the most important factor. Use the materials that OccuVax sends (posters, flyers, etc) in high-traffic areas, and send emails and make announcements as well, using some of the statistics that we have sent you regarding the numbers of days lost, hospitalizations, and death. Encourage people that they are also protecting their families. If at all possible, encourage your company to partially or fully fund the clinic.

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.

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.

All the regular, traditional lay ministries will continue. For people not ministering as part of the team, the ministry discernment process may open up new ministry opportunities, either in their own congregation or in other Spirit of the Heartland congregations.

We need administrative permission to sign up an organization. Please have them contact us through your local site located through our map.

There are various ministries to be involved in at BBC. Many people help with volunteer projects in areas such as maintenance and office related projects. Feel free to contact the church office if you would like to volunteer your time in this way. If you are interested in teaching, helping, singing, or other visible positions of leadership, membership is a prerequisite and an appointment must be set with the ministry leader.

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