OKLAHOMA CITY – September is national Deaf Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the history and achievements of Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and the importance of American Sign Language.
This year’s theme is “Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights.” Deaf Awareness Week will be celebrated Sept. 21 to Sept. 27.
As of 2021, an estimated 3.6% of the U.S. population is Deaf or have serious difficulty hearing, according to the National Deaf Center.
“Use of big ‘D’ when identifying themselves as ‘Deaf’ means the person considers themselves culturally part of the Deaf community,” said Susan Nelson, who is a programs manager with the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services’ Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. “The ones with lower ‘d’ are typically the ones that do not sign and live primarily in the hearing culture.”
Employees within DRS’ Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing offices have hearing loss. The staff view Deaf Awareness Month as recognition of Deaf culture, where everyone acknowledges their similar life experiences, according to Nelson.
She said Deaf Awareness Month also means valuing ASL, which is always evolving, like a living language.
International Day of Sign Language will be recognized on Sept. 23.
Calista Heard, DRS’ program/project coordinator, said the month is an opportunity to recognize ASL as a language with its own grammar and syntax.
“American Sign Language is not universal, and it also has its own regional and cultural dialects and norms,” Heard said. “Sign Language is a part of a language and culture of accessibility and diversity for the individuals who use it daily.”
The day also recognizes the ASL interpreters’ profession and the training, hours and immersion of the Deaf culture that is required to become fluent in the field and provide equal access for people who are Deaf and hard of hearing.
“ASL interpreters work very hard in their profession,” said Tonya Garman, DRS executive project manager. “As an ASL interpreter myself, I am proud of what they do and grateful for interpreters who work with DRS to provide communication access for our clients and employees.”
Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing works with clients who are Deaf and hard of hearing to remove barriers by providing training or employment, resources, accommodations and, if the client desires, appropriate hearing devices by licensed audiologists.
DRS staff provides transition services to students who attend high school in Oklahoma and staff of the Oklahoma School for the Deaf prepare students for employment or training after graduation.
People needing services can contact the Tulsa office at 918-836-5556 or by video phone at 918-894-6554. In Oklahoma City, staff can be reached at 405-522-7930 or by video phone at 405-543-2646.
Oklahomans who are interested in sign language interpreter certification and resources can call 405-517-8660 or email ICRC@drs.gov.
The Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is a division of DRS.
Last year, DRS served 84,719 individuals with disabilities with career preparation, employment, residential and outreach education, independent living programs, and the determination of medical eligibility for disability benefits. The agency helps job seekers with disabilities overcome barriers to employment, such as inaccessible worksites, lack of transportation or the need for specialized equipment or training.
For more information, visit http://www.okdrs.gov or phone 800-845-8476.
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For more information
Rachel McLemore,
DRS Communications Officer
Cell: 405-640-7582
