More than a competition: Deaf students from across the country converge at CSDB Academic Bowl | Colorado Springs Gazette

eaf students from all over the country convened Friday at the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind to compete in the first rounds of the annual Academic Bowl regionals, connecting along the way.

The event, organized by Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., brought students from over a dozen schools to Colorado Springs for the first time since 2008. Students and coaches poured in from Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Kansas, Texas and more.

The Academic Bowl is open to teams of high school students currently enrolled in recognized schools or programs for the deaf or hard of hearing. Regionals take place in a different state every year, but Colorado Springs had the honor of hosting for 2025.

The campus was bustling on Friday. Parents, siblings, and friends packed the parking lot to come and support their loved ones. Despite going head to head, students from different schools were spotted laughing and grinning together in the cafeteria during the lunch break.

“It’s an honor to have over 100 students from 16 states staying in our dorms and it’s a privilege,” said Anthony Thomas, student life programs supervisor for the School for the Deaf and Blind.
Competing teams are made up of four students each. The teams are asked questions in almost a dozen categories including current events, pop culture, science and technology, mathematics and more, according to the university’s website.

Event organizer and youth program coordinator Casey Johnson-Pasqua told The Gazette the Academic Bowl holds a “special place in her heart.”

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Get Revved Up for the HLAA 2025 Convention | June 11-14, 2025, Indianapolis

Start your engine and join us at HLAA’s 40th annual convention, June 11-14, 2025, in Indianapolis, IN—host of the famous Indy 500 automobile race. Our annual event brings together hundreds of people with hearing loss from around the U.S. to learn, discover and connect. Check out the latest technology and hear from health and industry experts during a series of empowering events designed to help you live your best life with hearing loss.

Click here to learn more and register.

Walk4Hearing | HLAA

As HLAA’s community of support in action, Walk4Hearing breaks down barriers and empowers thousands of people with hearing loss in 21 cities across the U.S. each year. Teams of families and friends unite with local HLAA Chapters, schools, hearing health care professionals and our nonprofit and business partners to raise awareness and funds.

Participating in the Walk4Hearing supports hearing health, advocacy and education programs—and more importantly, brings hope to people of all ages and backgrounds to live confidently and thrive with hearing loss.

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2025 SayWhatClub Convention | Galveston, Texas! August 4 – 7, 2025 | SayWhatClub

SayWhatClubbers have been gathering annually since 1996!

Come and meet other members of our Hard-of-Hearing (HoH) community face-to-face. You’ll feel empowered and will leave with new confidence and knowledge. Register for the convention by March 31 to take advantage of early-bird rates of $225 for a SayWhatClub subscriber or $350 for a couple. There are also registration options for anyone wanting to attend for one or two days or the closing banquet.

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Bozeman Symphony hosts ASL event for kids and families | NonStop Local Montana

The Bozeman Symphony is inviting children and families to a unique event focused on American Sign Language. This special event aims to immerse children in music and storytelling, with a particular emphasis on how the deaf and hard of hearing experience music.

The event will feature a storybook reading accompanied by music played on percussive instruments. The Bozeman Symphony is making this event inclusive for children who are deaf and hard of hearing for the first time.

The symphony is partnering with the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind, which will provide an ASL interpreter to enhance the experience for all attendees.

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Seattle’s Embrace of Deaf Culture at the 2024 DeafNation Expo | The Watchdog

Just about 74% of the deaf community from the state of Washington resides in Seattle. The city is considered accessible to the community through its multiple state events and organizations that the local government has to offer, like Hearing Loss Association of America – Washington State Association, Washington State Association for the Deaf, Washington State Hands & Voices and many other local groups.

On Oct. 19, 2024, DeafNation hosted its annual exposition at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall to celebrate Deaf culture through a variety of performances and guest speakers who shared their life experiences as a Deaf person. From Brandon Kazen-Maddox to Brad Klein, many artists and enthusiasts alike came together to raise awareness about the importance of immersing ourselves in foreign cultures.

One of the many ways that guests communicated was through the use of American Sign Language (ASL). Whether they were deaf or hearing, the use of ASL was extensive. A memorable part of the event was the King County Water & Land Resource Division’s section of the program, which featured an exclusive event song made by the division about sustaining the environment. The song was interpreted by Kazen-Maddox and his fellow guest speakers, who taught the audience how to sign the lyrics to the song while also showcasing artistic sign language.

“Deaf events are the hub of the Deaf community, an opportunity to meet new friends, reconnect with old friends, and catch up on news in their lives. Deaf people tend to migrate towards large cities as a lot of resources are available to them. Seattle isn’t an exception, but rather very welcoming to Deaf people with its diversity.”

– Professor Katie Irwin of Bellevue College’s World Languages Department, ASL

Apart from DeafNation, there are a variety of Deaf Culture events that let ASL learners and Deaf people alike socialize and continue to immerse themselves in Deaf Culture to expand their learning.

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Center Theatre Group and Deaf West’s ASL-Infused American Idiot Opens October 9 ｜ Playbill

Center Theatre Group’s ASL-infused revival of the Green Day musical American Idiot, presented in collaboration with Deaf West Theatre, officially opens October 9 after beginning previews October 2. CTG Artistic Director Snehal Desai is at the helm, with performances scheduled to continue through November 10.

The cast, which includes both Deaf and hearing actors who perform simultaneously in American Sign Language and spoken English, features Steven-Adam Agdeppa, L.J. Benet, Will Branner, Jerusha Cavazos, Lark Detweiler, Daniel Durant, Kaia T. Fitzgerald, Landen Gonzales, Tyler Hardwick, Otis Jones IV, Milo Manheim, Josué Martinez; Giovanni Maucere, James Olivas, Mason Alexander Park, Monika Peña, Mars Storm Rucker, Mia Sempertegui, Angel Theory, and Ali Fumiko Whitney. Casting is by Beth Lipari.

Jennifer Weber (& Juliet) is choreographing, with ASL choreography by Colin Analco. Deaf West has presented similar revivals of such musicals as Big River and Spring Awakening, both of which transferred to Broadway.

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Events | USA | Deaf Nation Expo

Since 2003, the DeafNation Expo showcase has attracted over 1 million attendees with hundreds of events throughout the United States.

Click here to learn more about Deaf Nation Expos.

Events | Abilities Expos 2024 | USA

Abilities Expos

Featured annually in seven North American cities, the Expos are free, three-day, all-access passports to the latest products, cutting edge tech, informative workshops and adaptive activities.

Who Should Come to Abilities Expo?
The disability community, of course.

People of all ages with disabilities
Join the festive celebration of your abilities as you discover thousands of ways to boost your independence. What will your WOW moment be?

Families, friends and caregivers
Yours is a path less travelled, but it is travelled. Abilities Expo has your back and offers resources to help you expand the possibilities for your loved ones.

Seniors
Whether it’s ingenious low-tech products that help you grip items, lightweight travel scooters or others, the Expo is here to help you meet your challenges.

Healthcare and Disability Professionals
With all the latest technologies, gizmos and gadgets, Abilities Expo is Candyland for physical therapists, occupational therapists and other healthcare and disability professionals. They gather vital information to take back to their patients and clients.

Click here to learn more about Abilities Expos or register for free.

Ohlone College celebrates Deaf Awareness Month | Tri City Voice

Ohlone College is proud to celebrate Deaf Awareness Month this September by highlighting the achievements, programs and events that underscore our commitment to the success of Deaf and hard of hearing students. As a leader in ASL, Deaf Studies and Interpreter Preparation, Ohlone College continues to foster an environment where all students can thrive, supported by a dedicated faculty and staff.

The college has one of the largest Deaf Studies programs in the nation. Located in Building 6 on the Fremont campus, the Deaf Studies Department is a hub of academic and vocational programs designed to meet the needs of Deaf and hard of hearing students. The department offers a comprehensive range of courses, from enhancing English and math skills through direct instruction in ASL to preparing students for careers in Deaf Education and Interpreting.

To honor Deaf Awareness Month, Ohlone College has organized a series of events that celebrate Deaf culture, promote accessibility and recognize the hard work of our faculty, staff and students.

Throughout the month, the campus will host several ASL/Gesture Workshops in the cafeteria, led by instructors such as Jill Birchall (Sept 10), Stefanie Ellis-Gonzales (Sept 18) and Nan Zhou (Sept 26). These workshops are open to all students and staff.

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