Deaf Culture on the Move is a nonprofit organization that aims to proactively spread awareness of Deaf culture and community to students in schools K-12 across America. Deaf Culture on the Move provides an enriching and engaging presentation in an assembly or classroom style setting including aspects from Deaf history, Deaf literature, Deaf customs, culture, and community, Deaf education, and American Sign Language use. Deaf Culture on the Move also provides an opportunity for an interactive museum-like experience of what it is like to be a Deaf person in this world full of hearing people.
Requirements
None! Deaf Culture on the Move travels to any school with students K-12. No need to have an ASL class at your school or any connection or prior knowledge of Deaf culture and community. If your school does have an ASL class, or a connection to Deaf culture and community, this is also fine!
Why we do what we do
The deaf community is built upon acceptance, care, support, and understanding of one another. By teaching children at a young age about a culture and community that functions based on these values, our hope is that they will continue on their lives by instilling these values towards their fellow peers. Additionally, if more hearing people know about the Deaf culture and community and how amazing it is, perhaps they will become involved, just like we are. There are some very innovative and brilliant students out there and if presented with Deaf culture and community as a base, these people could come up with some fantastic ideas to allow the Deaf community to thrive. Lastly, and most importantly, our hope is that this organization creates more respect for Deaf people and their culture and community. Currently, there are many people that do not know or understand anything about the Deaf community and culture. The question is often asked, “Why don’t Deaf people want to hear?” People are completely unaware that there is an entire culture behind the concept of not being able to hear. By spreading awareness of the Deaf culture and community, our hope is that hearing students will understand at a young age that Deaf people have incredible abilities and in the future will encourage their companies, bosses, etc. to hire Deaf people and convince them of the benefits of doing so. Perhaps one day one of the students who saw the presentation will have a Deaf child and recall the experience they had in school that day and feel prepared to be able to provide the best life for that child.
Requirements
None! Deaf Culture on the Move travels to any school with students K-12. No need to have an ASL class at your school or any connection or prior knowledge of Deaf culture and community. If your school does have an ASL class, or a connection to Deaf culture and community, this is also fine!
Why we do what we do
The deaf community is built upon acceptance, care, support, and understanding of one another. By teaching children at a young age about a culture and community that functions based on these values, our hope is that they will continue on their lives by instilling these values towards their fellow peers. Additionally, if more hearing people know about the Deaf culture and community and how amazing it is, perhaps they will become involved, just like we are. There are some very innovative and brilliant students out there and if presented with Deaf culture and community as a base, these people could come up with some fantastic ideas to allow the Deaf community to thrive. Lastly, and most importantly, our hope is that this organization creates more respect for Deaf people and their culture and community. Currently, there are many people that do not know or understand anything about the Deaf community and culture. The question is often asked, “Why don’t Deaf people want to hear?” People are completely unaware that there is an entire culture behind the concept of not being able to hear. By spreading awareness of the Deaf culture and community, our hope is that hearing students will understand at a young age that Deaf people have incredible abilities and in the future will encourage their companies, bosses, etc. to hire Deaf people and convince them of the benefits of doing so. Perhaps one day one of the students who saw the presentation will have a Deaf child and recall the experience they had in school that day and feel prepared to be able to provide the best life for that child.