(Image Description: Six actresses from Deaf West's Production of Spring Awakening sign together on stage)
via Time Magazine
Article by Ellanora Lerner
I would like to preface this article by saying that I am not d/Deaf or hard of hearing, I do not have family that is, and I am not fluent in ASL. This article is solely aimed to direct you to resources to educate yourself about d/Deaf issues, culture, and experience. I started learning about this topic because I was interested in learning ASL (specifically after becoming interested in the Deaf West production of Spring Awakening)but this topic is crucial for all hearing people because it allows us to understand how to make the world accessible to d/Deaf and hard of hearing people.
The videos below come from a variety of Youtubers with a variety of life experiences. Along with the videos linked below I specifically recommend checking out the channels of Rikki Poynter (ASL & English), Jessica Kellgren-Fozard (SSE & English), The Stews (ASL & English), Jazzy (BSL), and Sign Duo (PSE & English). All of them regularly make videos that are fully accessible to any English speaker on d/Deaf issues as well as a variety of other topics including sexuality, chronic illness, and parenthood. Use these videos as a jumping-off point, but remember just like any other marginalized group it requires work and self-checking to make sure that d/Deaf people are included in your activism and your awareness of the world.
Caption your videos!
Community and representation are so so so important
How to include d/Deaf people in conversation
Being d/Deaf at the airport
Going to mainstream (spoken English) school when you’re d/Deaf
ASL? PSE? SEE?
You know the drill, some comments get really annoying
What do I keep saying d/Deaf and hard of hearing
Lip reading is hard!
How to: be a good friend to someone with hearing loss