Deaf Websites Worth Checking Out

Sites for Deaf People and Hearing Who Want to Learn More

Jun 9, 2009

There are several websites dedicated to the Deaf community, keeping Deaf people informed and increasing involvement for Hearing people into the Deaf culture.

Deaf.com is a portal site run by site president Matthew S. Moore. There are pages for news, history, political, education, forums, chat, and others. They feature a “Deaf Person of the Month”, “Deaf People in History” and “Deaf People in Action”. Some of the links, Deafstore for instance, are inactive, but most are working well.

International Deaf Websites

Deafwebsites.com is a directory of many international websites geared toward the Deaf community. They link to sites sponsored in countries such as Argentina, China, New Zealand and Yugoslavia. The largest section is, of course, from the US. Links open sites for Deaf groups, Deaf theatre, sports associations, youth groups and interpreter information. There are a few dead links, but most are active and current.

Deaflinx.com is another directory with several lists of sites divided into categories of Deafness, Deaf Education, American Sign Language, Services, and Other (including technology, careers working with Deaf people, Deaf dogs and guide dogs, and religious ministries).

Milan Congress 1880 Outlawed Sign Language

Milan1880.com is a historical educational site with information about the Milan Congress of 1880 which stacked the deck against deaf children learning and using sign language. Instead, the entire make up of the congress, excepting only four people who were booed off the podium, were pro-oral. This congress changed the course of deaf education around the world and even outlawed the use of sign language in schools.

Nad.org – National Association for the Deaf. The major nationwide organization for Deaf people and those who want to learn more. Site president Bobbie B. Scoggins has several VLOG entries about various subjects including Swine flu, fundraising events, NAD board meetings, etc. Because these VLOGs have a written text as well, they are also an excellent resource for interpretation practice.

Rid.org – Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. Not actually designed for the Deaf community but for sign language interpreters, this site has information about conferences, workshops, certification, current events, education and more. RID has links to state level RID organizations. Memberships are available at the state and national levels.

Deaf VLOGs Posted on YouTube

YouTube.com has a great selection of VLOGs by signers – Deaf and hearing. Topics run the gamut from song-sign to political opinion and others. Unlike NAD, YouTube doesn’t post text so those who don’t understand ASL fluently may get lost. Still, it’s good practice.

Deafgamers.com seems to be a new forum for reviewing online/computer games from the perspective of the Deaf community. Special attention is paid to text and visual feedback – two factors largely ignored with most game reviews.

Over the life of the Internet, websites come and go. They always have. Many sites, even good ones, don’t last. An occasional cruise through search engines and various portal or directory sites can keep searchers up to date with available content and communication in the Deaf community.

The copyright of the article Deaf Websites Worth Checking Out in Learning Sign Language is owned by Elizabeth Linehan. Permission to republish Deaf Websites Worth Checking Out in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.