International Day of the Deaf was first celebrated by the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) in 1958. The day of awareness was later extended to a full week, becoming the International Week of the Deaf (IWD). In more recent years, it has become an entire month of celebration.

The Rev. Barbara F. Meyers, the Board Secretary of EqUUal Access, wrote about her experience as a Unitarian Universalist minister with hearing loss, encouraging us to, in observance of Deaf Awareness Month:

• Learn about inclusion and accessibility, including the importance of providing captioned content and/or sign language interpreters in your congregation’s meetings.
• Discover ways to promote the rights of deaf people and access to education and technologies.
• Understand that deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals are just as capable and able as hearing individuals.

In honor of Deaf Awareness Month, may you consider all the many blessings and gifts that we receive from the deaf community, and be mindful of deaf inclusion in our congregations and all spaces every day of the year.

(excerpts from Wednesday, September 27 letter from Gretchen Maune (she/they), Accessibility Resources Coordinator for the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA))

For additional Accessibility resources from the UUA, subscribe to the UPLIFT Access Newsletter.