3 Ways to Spread Awareness About National Deaf History Month (2025 Update)

Originally published by Simone Morris Enterprises - Updated for 2025.

National Deaf History Month, celebrated in April, is a time dedicated to acknowledging the remarkable contributions, rich cultural heritage, and significant historical milestones of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. This commemorative period honors three pivotal moments in American Deaf history:

• April 15, 1817: The establishment of the American School for the Deaf (America's first public school for deaf students)

• April 8, 1864: The signing of the charter for Gallaudet University by President Abraham Lincoln

• March 13, 1988: The Deaf President Now movement at Gallaudet University that led to the appointment of the university's first deaf president

Update on National Recognition Status: As of early 2025, the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) continues its advocacy to designate April as Deaf History Month officially. While the U.S. Congress has introduced legislation to formalize this designation (H.R. 324, introduced in 2023), the bill remains under consideration in committee. Despite lacking official federal designation, many states and educational institutions now formally recognize this observance period, with California, New York, and Illinois among those passing state-level resolutions since 2023[^1].

In 2025, as accessibility standards continue to evolve, sharing knowledge about Deaf history becomes increasingly relevant. Here are three impactful ways to spread awareness about National Deaf History Month:

1. Leverage Digital Platforms and Social Media In Support of Deaf History Month

The digital landscape has transformed dramatically since 2020, offering unprecedented opportunities to amplify Deaf voices and stories:

• Create and share accessible content on Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube platforms. Ensure all videos include proper captions and, when possible, ASL interpretation.

• Use trending hashtags like #DeafHistoryMonth2025, #DeafAwareness, and #ASLPride to join the conversation and increase visibility.

• Host virtual events such as webinars, panel discussions, or Q&A sessions featuring Deaf historians, community leaders, and advocates. Virtual reality and augmented reality platforms now offer immersive experiences that can simulate aspects of Deaf culture and history.

• Share interactive timelines highlighting significant achievements in Deaf history, from Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet's early work to modern Deaf artists, scientists, and leaders making an impact in 2025.

Accessibility tip for 2025: AI-powered real-time captioning tools worth exploring include:

• Microsoft's Group Transcribe (a free app that offers real-time translation in over 80 languages with ASL recognition features)

• Google's Live Transcribe & Sound Notifications (now featuring customizable vibration patterns for different sounds)

• Ava Caption (specializing in group conversations with speaker identification)

• SignTech Interpreter (combining AI captioning with animated ASL translation)

These tools can significantly enhance accessibility for virtual events and everyday interactions.

2. Engage Your Professional Network and Workplace

Organizations increasingly recognize that accessibility is essential for effective communication and collaboration:

• Organize informational sessions featuring presentations on Deaf culture, history, and communication practices. Consider inviting Deaf speakers who can share firsthand experiences and insights.

• Provide communication skills resources to help colleagues understand how to interact effectively with Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, including basic ASL signs for workplace interactions.

• Review and enhance workplace accessibility measures to reflect the latest technological advancements and best practices. In 2025, this includes considerations for hybrid work environments and advanced communication technologies.

• Recognize contributions from Deaf professionals in your industry through company newsletters, intranet features, or special events. Showcase their achievements to demonstrate the value of diverse perspectives.

• Partner with Deaf-owned businesses for company events, services, or products, supporting economic opportunity within the Deaf community.

3. Support Educational Initiatives in Your Community

Education remains a powerful tool for creating lasting awareness and changing perceptions:

• Collaborate with local libraries to feature displays of books, films, and resources about Deaf history and culture. Many libraries now offer immersive digital exhibits that can be experienced in-person and remotely.

• Connect with schools to incorporate Deaf history lessons into their curriculum.

• Sponsor ASL classes at community centers or online, making language learning available to people of all ages. The popularity of ASL has continued to grow, with many schools now offering it as a language option.

• Support Deaf students through mentorship programs, scholarships, or internship opportunities that provide pathways to professional success.

• Advocate for deaf-friendly policies in your local government, such as ensuring that public meetings have interpreters or captioning services available. In 2025, the standard for accessibility in public forums has significantly improved, but continued advocacy is essential.

Innovation spotlight for 2025: Explore the latest educational technologies designed specifically for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students, including advanced haptic feedback systems, AI-powered sign language recognition, and more intuitive visual learning tools.

Media recommendation: Consider organizing a screening of the Academy Award-winning film "CODA" (2021), which provides powerful insights into Deaf family dynamics and culture. Since its Oscar win for Best Picture, this film has become an important cultural touchpoint for understanding the intersection of Deaf and hearing worlds. Discussion guides are now widely available to facilitate meaningful conversations after viewings in educational or community settings.

Highlighting Mainstream Inclusion: The Super Bowl Example

The Super Bowl has become a significant platform for Deaf representation in mainstream American culture. Following Warren "Wawa" Snipe's groundbreaking performance at Super Bowl LV in 2021, the NFL has continued to feature ASL performers during the National Anthem and other performances.

At the Super Bowl in February 2025, the NFL implemented several accessibility features, according to the organization's 2024-2025 accessibility initiative report:

• The NFL featured ASL Performers with dedicated picture-in-picture viewing options on the main broadcast

• The NFL app offered an ASL-focused camera angle throughout the event

• The stadium featured enhanced captioning on all jumbotrons.

• The NFL included an educational component introducing basic football-related ASL signs in the pre-game programming.

These implementations followed recommendations from the NFL's Accessibility Advisory Committee, formed in 2023 with representation from national Deaf advocacy organizations. This high-profile inclusion demonstrates how cultural institutions can embrace accessibility as both a right and an enrichment of the experience for all viewers.

When discussing National Deaf History Month, the evolution of the Super Bowl serves as a powerful example of how mainstream visibility creates ripple effects of awareness and appreciation that extend far beyond the event itself.

Looking Forward

As we observe National Deaf History Month in 2025, we recognize not only the deaf community's historical achievements but also its ongoing journey toward full inclusion and accessibility. By implementing these awareness strategies, we contribute to a more inclusive society that values and celebrates Deaf culture and history.

The past few years have seen remarkable advancements in accessibility technology, increased representation of Deaf individuals in media and leadership positions, and growing appreciation for ASL as a rich, complex language. These positive developments give us hope for continued progress in removing communication barriers.

By learning about Deaf history, supporting language access initiatives, and creating accessible spaces—both physical and digital—we honor the contributions of the Deaf community not just during this commemorative month, but throughout the year.

What accessibility improvements will you implement this National Deaf History Month? Share your plans and experiences in the comments below!

Ready to transform your workplace into a culture of belonging where engagement thrives? Contact Simone Morris Enterprises today for a personalized consultation on how our human-centered leadership solutions can help your organization unlock its full potential.