Signing Savvy, Your Sign Language Resource

Yesterday (Sunday, September 29) was International Day of the Deaf and the end of Deaf Awareness Week.

Deaf Awareness Week, also called International Week of the Deaf (IWD), is celebrated annually and ends with International Day of the Deaf. Deaf Awareness Week is celebrated by national and regional associations of the deaf, local communities, and individuals worldwide.

There are many ways to participate in Deaf Awareness Week. Here are some ways people around the U.S. recognized Deaf Awareness Week last week:

• In Las Cruces, New Mexico:  Students at Camino Real Middle School competed in an American Sign Language fingerspelling bee
• In Kokomo, Indiana: Students at Indiana University Kokomo organized a "Silent lunch" at Cougar Country Café where volunteers handed out ear plugs and asked patrons to communicate, but not speak. Food orders were made by circling orders on printed menus and writing messages on dry erase boards. The ASL manual alphabet was printed on placards on each table to encourage fingerspelling and sign language.
• In Mt. Pleasant, Michigan: Comedian Keith Wann performed his unique comedy routine combining American Sign Language storytelling and spoken English at Central Michigan University. Wann, a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA), highlighted funny misunderstandings that can occur between hearing and deaf communities.

The purpose of Deaf Awareness Week is to increase public awareness of deaf issues, people, and culture.  Activities and events throughout Deaf Awareness Week encourage individuals to come together as a community for both educational events and celebrations. Find more information on Deaf Awareness Week.

Share what you did during Deaf Awareness Week by leaving a comment below or telling us on our Facebook Page.