Thursday, October 1, 2026
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United States, (WNN)—Although many may not realize it, September is National Deaf Awareness Month. For those in the deaf community, this is more than just a celebratory month; it's a time to be seen, heard, and understood.
Throughout the U.S., many advocacy groups and state governments use this month to raise awareness about American Sign Language (ASL), celebrate the many accomplishments of Deaf people, and push for equal opportunities in schools, workplaces, and public places.
Deaf Awareness Month has an interesting history, ultimately growing throughout the years. It started in 1958 as the International Day of the Deaf, which was celebrated to honor the hard work and struggles of the Deaf community. After its success, the event expanded to the International Week of the Deaf to honor the first World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf held in Rome in September 1951.
Over time, awareness and support grew. What was once a week of celebration quickly expanded to include the whole month of September. However, International Week of the Deaf happens every year during the last week of September.
American Sign Language (ASL) is more than just a communication method. It is its own language with its own rules and expressions.
For example, to sign "thank you" In American Sign Language, you simply place your dominant hand to your chin and move it slightly down towards the person you are talking to. The hand shape for this sign is a flat hand. To sign the word "friend," you simply link your two index fingers together.
The ASLU YouTube channel features video demonstrations of different signs. The channel is run by Dr. Bill Vicars, a Deaf professor and researcher at Sacramento State University with over 30 years of experience teaching ASL and Deaf culture.
Deaf people have made significant impacts in many different areas. Take Marlee Matlin, for example—she's an award-winning actress who has been deaf since she was 18 months old. There is also Nyle DiMarco, a model and activist who teaches sign language and promotes accessibility.
In recent years, movies and shows have helped raise Awareness about Deaf culture. One example is the 2021 Oscar-winning film CODA (Child of Deaf Adults). The movie follows the character of Ruby Rossi, a teenager who is of hearing in a Deaf family. Ruby discovers her passion for singing while balancing her responsibilities to her family and their fishing business. The movie featured several Deaf actors in major roles and won the Academy Award for Best Picture. This was a huge honor, as Deaf representation was rare in Hollywood until then.
Official poster for the 2021 film CODA
IMDB
Troy Kotsur, who played Ruby's Father, Frank Rossi, stands out in the cast. His performance was critically acclaimed and ultimately earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, making him the first Deaf male actor to win an Oscar for his role. His portrayal of the role resonated with audiences and critics, showing a genuine representation of Deaf characters in films.
Tony Kotsur posing with his Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for "CODA" at the 94th Academy Awards. March 27th,2022
Gilbert Flores/Variety
Deaf people make contributions daily in schools, workplaces, the arts, and through volunteer work. Although we do not always see it, their efforts are crucial to communities worldwide.
One of the Easiest ways to support and be inclusive of the Deaf community is to learn how to properly communicate. When speaking to Deaf people, you may need to write things down or use sign language and hand gestures to communicate.
Learning sign language is also a way to be inclusive. Becoming completely fluent may not be easy, but by learning keywords and phrases, you will be able to better communicate with and understand Deaf people. In addition to hand motions, facial expressions are also an essential part of the language. The expressions of ASL users may seem over-the-top to those unfamiliar with the Deaf community, but ASL is a visual language. Facial expressions can show tone or more exact meanings, much like how you can change your tone of voice.
We also have to understand that the Deaf community's culture is different. Every deaf person is different, and not everyone experiences their culture and community the same way. When in doubt, you can ask a deaf or hard-of-hearing person what they prefer.
Let us recognize that National Deaf Awareness Month is a time to include everyone. Taking the time to learn about Deaf culture, support accessibility, and challenge stereotypes can help make our communities more welcoming. Understanding these issues doesn't take much. Let's ensure that Deaf people feel seen, heard, and appreciated year-round.
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