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.

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.

We can try to find suitable partners within your area, but must stipulate that we do not base introductions on locality. There are many other more important factors taken into consideration first, and we look at compatibility. If area is stipulated strictly as a requirement, we are unable to provide a minimum number of introductions guarantee.

On Learno you can tell us where you are in the world. Then you can see members and groups which are near to you and contact themcreated

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.

One of the best ways is to ask Deaf people where they go to church. Sometimes they must drive a long distance to go to a church with an interpreter or a deaf church. Larger areas need more deaf ministries. Smaller areas may need only one or two deaf ministries.

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 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.

Sections close to the larger towns have more traffic. Some sections are quite isolated. It is always best to hike with someone.

There are many ways to get involved on campus and meet people while you are attending SUNY Oswego. Whether you are a commuter or a residential student, there are many ways to be an active member in campus community. If you live in a residence hall you can become involved in hall council and the variety of programs and involvement opportunities that are afforded to you by residence life staff in your hall.

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.

WSDS offers an annual family weekend for children and teens who are deaf or hard of hearing as well as other family events. Check the WSDS calendar for upcoming events sponsored by WSDS and other agencies such as Washington State School for the Blind, Washington School for the Deaf, and Department of Services for the Blind.

Join the Deaf Pilots Association. DPA represents deaf pilots’ interests with the Federal Aviation Administration, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the Experimental Aircraft Association, and the National Association of Flight Instructors. Each year, DPA sponsors a week-long fly-in, to which DPA members and their families come from all over to enjoy the fellowship of flight as well as to discuss mutual concerns. A web site about DPA is available at http://www.deafpilots.org.

No one can yet predict how the epidemic will unfold in the future, but at this point there seems to be little risk unless you are in contact with people who have traveled to affected areas or have been there yourself. However, as of April 21, six possible cases have been reported in Virginia, including two probable cases. Three of the Virginia cases are in Northern Virginia.

Find out where other people fly in your area, and seek their advice. They will almost certainly be very helpful when you're starting out, and it's a good idea to start out with a helicopter that they are familiar with. That way, they will be better able to help you build, set up, and fly your new helicopter. They will be familiar with the shortcomings of your new helicopter (every helicopter has one or two) and they will be able to show you how to work around them.