A Guide to Deaf Rights and Equality: Law, Advocacy, and Practice

A basic guide to the issues facing Deaf people – including rights and equality. Some aspects also relate to hearing people. A number of important links are found within the text – including where to learn ASL or BSL. This is not intended to be a top notch advisory post, but rather one that briefly covers every aspect of rights, equality, the law and advocacy. Its also meant to be sort of a beginners introduction and not intended as one that’s better in any way or form than any other comparatively similar endeavours.

Introduction: Understanding Deafness and the Path to Equality

The fight for equality is universal – and for the Deaf community, it is a journey rooted in language, culture, and a right to be understood. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 430 million people – or around 6% of the global population – are Deaf (or Hard of Hearing), making accessibility and inclusion a global endeavour. This guide provides an essential overview of the laws, advocacy efforts, and inclusive practices in terms of Deaf rights and equality, with information for allies, advocates, and members of the hearing community.

Approximately 11 million Americans are deaf or hard of hearing, according to the National Deaf Center. This figure represents about 3.6% of the US population. Another ~1 million people are considered functionally deaf, while nearly 10 million are hard of hearing, as reported by the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP).

According to the RNID, over 18 million adults in the UK are deaf or have hearing loss or tinnitus. Separately, some estimates suggest around 12 million people in the UK have hearing loss (this includes the Deaf) but recent figures suggest its around 18 million when all manner of hearing loss are included.

According to a June 2024 analysis of recent census data, in terms of that estimated 18 million people in the UK, approximately 87,000 people are deaf and use British Sign Language (BSL) as their primary language, while an additional 151,000 people in the UK use BSL. It could be a conservative number that is rather on the low side. However there is no direct data that actually reflects the true numbers in the UK.

Equality for deaf individuals involves legal protections like the Equality Act 2010, which mandates reasonable adjustments and prohibits discrimination in areas such as education and employment. Its also built on recognizing the Deaf community as a linguistic and cultural group, with the right to communication support plus a removal of societal barriers which cause inequality. Campaigning by organisations like the British Deaf Association and RNID is crucial in ensuring these rights are fully implemented.

UK Legal framework defining rights

Equality Act 2010: This law bans discrimination and promotes equal opportunities in England, Scotland, and Wales. See Wikipedia. The Equality Act 2020 protects people with a hearing loss that is likely to last for 12 months or more. It requires employers and public services to make ‘reasonable adjustments.’
Education: Schools cannot refuse Deaf students or prevent them from participating in activities.
Employment: These must make reasonable adjustments, such as providing communication support or modifying the work environment, to ensure Deaf employees are given equal opportunities with which to carry out their jobs.

Communication and accessibility

Communication support: This means access to much needed things like BSL interpreters, lip-speakers, or speech-to-text (Palantype or Stagetext etc) is vital for effective communication in education, healthcare and social function – as well as the workplace.
Technology and equipment: This includes installing flashing-light fire alarms (as well as being able to vibrate by way of an app). Also a provision of amplified telephones and hearing loops for those who might need these.
Social responsibility: The social model of disability is important. It views disability as being created by societal barriers rather than the individual’s impairment – which is what the much-maligned medical model does.

Cultural recognition

Deaf culture: The Deaf community has its own language, traditions, and culture, and sees itself as a distinct linguistic group.
Campaigning for rights: Organisations (like the British Deaf Association) have campaigned for the legal recognition of British Sign Language (BSL) or the National Association of the Deaf for American Sign Language (ASL) as well as better provision of services across the board in both the UK and US – including improved legal, societal and healthcare.

Challenges and advocacy

Inaccessible services: Despite legislation many services still fail to provide adequate communication support.
Mental health: Social stigma, reduced participation, and communication barriers lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Access to proper psychological care is also problematic – thus the Deaf face a double bind in terms of provision in these areas.
Campaigns for change: Groups like Deaf Together in the UK have active campaigns to end inequality and ensure a full implementation of Deaf rights.

🧏🏾🧏🏼Defining Deafness: Beyond the Medical Model

Understanding Deaf rights begins with shifting perspective away from a purely medical model, which views deafness as a deficit to be corrected. The cultural model of Deafness reframes it as a unique human experience and identity. Within this context, ‘deaf’ (lowercase d) typically refers to the audiological condition of not hearing, while Deaf (uppercase D) signifies a cultural identity. Members of the Deaf community are part of a linguistic minority, united by a shared language – often a signed language – and a rich heritage. This spectrum also includes individuals who are Hard of Hearing, Hearing Impaired, Late-Deafened, and DeafBlind, each with distinct experiences and communication needs that require nuanced approaches to inclusion.

The d/Deaf/HOH/HI/PH model is somewhat outdated and needs updating. Some describe it initially as D/deaf which makes it even more confusing. It shows these descriptions are very much an add-on without much thought for a comprehensive approach in terms of rights, justice, equality etc.

🧏🏾🧏🏻 The Richness of Deaf Culture and Community

Deaf culture is woven from shared experiences, values, traditions, and perhaps most important of all, a common language. Sign languages, such as American Sign Language (ASL) and British Sign Language (BSL) plus a multitude of other sign languages too numerous to mention (a good list can be found at Wikipedia) are not mere gestures but complete, grammatically complex languages which form the bedrock of the Deaf world.

The very richness of Deaf culture and community, apart from its shared language, can also be found in visual communication and a strong sense of identity. This includes a vibrant arts scene with unique visual storytelling, a deep cultural heritage, an equally deep history (as well as the systematic endeavours of both audism and oralism that have historically sought to eliminate the Deaf), plus a strong network of social support built on shared experiences and values. This shared identity, pride, and a collective way of navigating the world are central to its strength.

Deaf culture, as well as its sense of belonging, collective identity, mutual support and social connection, is also the primary drive towards full recognition and equal rights.

✊🏾✊🏼📚⚖️Why Deaf Rights Matter: Historic Discrimination and a Fight for Equality

Historically, deaf people have faced systemic discrimination and audism/oralism – a belief the ability to hear and speak makes one superior. The long held, centuries, view is the Deaf belonged to the animal part of the world. This has emanated from what can be termed dualism (eg the animals and humans/them and us). Dualism (as proscribed by Descartes for example) has long prompted the idea that humans have a special situation, but the Deaf do not. This framework fails to account for the complex interplay between physical and mental experiences, as seen in the challenges faced by those who are Deaf, and that because there is belief that being hearing and having speech represents a far more realistic existence. Historically it was assumed the Deaf were here ‘just to die like the animals’ and therefore had no useful purpose in life. This has manifested in language deprivation, forced oralism (prohibiting the use of sign language), direct and indirect audism entailing educational segregation, plus an eventual programme of assimilation as well as significant barriers to employment and public life.

If one does not think there is assimilation or even elimination that’s still extant on the cards – one simply has not looked hard enough or is too hearing to even understand what is going on.

The Deaf rights movement emerged to combat this injustice, asserting that deaf individuals are entitled to the same opportunities as their hearing peers. The fight is for equal access to education, healthcare, employment, and full participation in society, all predicated on the fundamental right to effective communication. And to sustain the Deaf identity and its culture for generations.

👩🏾👩🏻📚⚖️🏛️🖋️ The Legal Framework: Key Laws Protecting Deaf Rights

A robust legal framework underpins the quest for Deaf equality – at least in the the United States, where several landmark civil rights laws have been pivotal in dismantling barriers and mandating access. According to the American Community Survey, about 2% of the U.S. population has significant hearing difficulty, underscoring the broad impact of this legislation.

In the UK however legislation is rather on the weak side the DDA 1995 was a let down and the Equality Act 2010, well that’s still a downer – and the quest for better rights will be necessary despite recent legislation such as the BSL Act 2022. It seems in the UK at least, legislation is meant to placate, rather than to reinforce. And that can only be read in a certain way.

🗽♿The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990: A Landmark Civil Rights Law

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is the cornerstone of disability rights in the U.S. This sweeping civil rights law prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life. For deaf people, its most critical provisions are under Title II (State and Local Governments) and Title III (Public Accommodations). These titles mandate that entities provide ‘effective communication’ through auxiliary aids and services. This means providing qualified interpreters, real-time captioning (CART), or other tools to ensure a deaf person can communicate as effectively as a hearing person.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 was amended in 2008 by the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA). This broadened the definition of a disability. The ADA makes it unlawful for employers to discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities and requires reasonable accommodations in the workplace.

✅ Key provisions of the ADA

Employment (Title I): Prohibits discrimination in all aspects of employment, including hiring, firing, compensation, training, and other terms and conditions of employment. Employers are required to provide ‘reasonable accommodations’ to qualified employees with disabilities unless doing so would cause undue hardship.
Public services (Title II): Makes it illegal to discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in state and local government services and programs, including public transportation.
Public accommodations (Title III): Prohibits discrimination in places that are open to the public, such as restaurants, hotels, theaters, and private offices. This includes requirements for accessibility in new construction and alterations to commercial facilities.
Telecommunications (Title IV): Requires telephone companies to provide telecommunications relay services for individuals with hearing or speech impairments.
Enforcement: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces the employment provisions, while other federal agencies and state and local civil rights agencies handle other parts of the law. The law also prohibits retaliation against anyone who asserts their rights under the ADA.

♿The UK’s Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA): Landmark legislation in terms of provision

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) was a UK law that protected disabled people from discrimination in areas like employment, education, and public services. It prohibited direct discrimination and harassment and required employers and service providers to make reasonable adjustments to overcome disadvantages. This Act was largely repealed and replaced by the Equality Act 2010 in Great Britain, but the DDA still applies in Northern Ireland.

✅ Key provisions of the DDA

Protected areas: The Act made it unlawful to discriminate against disabled people in key areas of life, including employment, education, transport, and the provision of goods and services.
Definition of disability: It defined disability as a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
Reasonable adjustments: A crucial part of the Act is for employers and service providers to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ that ensures disabled people can access services and employment.
Prohibition of discrimination: The DDA disavows certain different types of discrimination, including:
- Direct discrimination: Treating a disabled person less favorably than others.
- Indirect discrimination: Applying a provision, criterion, or practice that disadvantages disabled people.
- Harassment: Unwanted conduct related to a person’s disability that violates their dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment.
- Victimisation: Treating a person unfavorably because they have made or supported a complaint under the Act.

✅ Legacy and replacement

The DDA was a landmark piece of legislation that brought significant rights to disabled people after years of campaigning.
While the DDA constituted a paradigm shift, it was somewhat insufficient and was replaced by the Equality Act 2010.
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 remains in effect in Northern Ireland.

Other parameters in terms of education and rights

🎓🧑🏾‍🎓🧑🏼‍🎓🏫🧮♿Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Towards Accessible Education

The US’ Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education, and related services to children with disabilities. For deaf and Hard of Hearing students, IDEA mandates a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). This includes developing an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that can specify the need for services like sign language interpreters, captioning, and assistive listening devices, ensuring students have the tools they need to succeed.

🎓🧑🏾‍🎓🧑🏼‍🎓🏫🧮Fully Accessible Education for Deaf Students

In both the UK and the US The goal is to create an environment where deaf students can thrive both academically and socially. This means recognizing the linguistic needs of the Deaf and providing education in their primary language, whether that is ASL, BSL or even spoken English with the appropriate and necessary support. Failure to provide adequately has substantial consequences. In England, for example, 2024 data from the National Deaf Children’s Society reveals just 42% of deaf children achieved a “good level of development” in early years, compared to 68% of all children, a gap that underscores the urgent need for inclusive educational practices.

The UK’s Equality Act 2010 (England, Scotland, and Wales) and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Northern Ireland) protects against unfair treatment in education. But again, the legislation is weak and does not suffice in terms of procuring a level playing field.

The Equality Act 2010 does prohibit discrimination and requires reasonable adjustments for disabled students, including those who are Deaf. Other key legislation includes the BSL (Scotland) Act 2015 and also the recent the BSL Act 2022. These focus on promoting British Sign Language and its use in both Scotland and England. The SEND Code of Practice provides guidance for the system in England for children with special educational needs. See the NDCS’ ‘Education Rights in England’ for example.

To read on the issues facing Deaf pupils in education, this 2023 report – The educational outcomes of deaf children in England – provides much background.

International Human Rights Frameworks: A Global Perspective

The fight for Deaf rights extends beyond national borders. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is a critical international human rights treaty. It reinforces Deaf rights as a integral part of the universal need for human rights. It explicitly recognises sign languages as equal to spoken languages and it also gives signatory governments the obligation to promote Deaf culture and facilitate the learning of sign language.

The UN’s CRPD legally establishes Deaf rights to full and equal human rights. The key articles relevant to the Deaf include Article 3 (non-discrimination and full participation), Article 9 (accessibility), Article 13 (access to justice), and Article 21 (freedom of expression and access to information, which includes recognizing and facilitating sign language). Sign language is recognised as a distinct language under the Convention, and countries must support it by providing high-quality interpretation services.

✅ Key articles for the deaf community

Article 3 (General Principles): Guarantees non-discrimination and full, effective participation in society.
Article 9 (Accessibility): Ensures access to information and communications, including technology and services, It specifically requires acceptance and facility of sign language.
Article 13 (Access to Justice): Mandating of accessible legal proceedings for deaf individuals, plus training for a justice system’s personnel.
Article 21 (Freedom of Expression and Opinion, and Access to Information): States must accept and facilitate the use of sign languages, Braille, and other accessible communication methods in all official interactions. It also urges private and mass media entities to provide accessible information and services.

✅ Specific obligations

Promote and protect the use of the world’s sign languages.
Provide accessible formats and technologies for public information.
Facilitate the use of sign language interpretation in all spheres of life.
Ensure access to justice with appropriate accommodations and support.

✅ Advocacy and implementation

Organisations like the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) and the European Union of the Deaf (EUD) work to ensure the CRPD is implemented effectively.
The CRPD requires countries to report on their progress and allows for individuals to petition a UN committee if all domestic remedies have been exhausted.

✊🏾✊🏼📚⚖️🏛️🖋️Practical Application of Rights: Ensuring Access in Key Life Areas

Legal protections are only meaningful when they are applied and enforced. Ensuring true equality requires a diligent focus on access in the core domains of everyday life.

Equal Opportunities in Employment

In the US workplace, anti-discrimination laws require employers to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified deaf and Hard of Hearing employees. This can include providing interpreters for meetings and interviews, offering video relay services for phone calls, or installing visual alerting systems for emergencies. Similar requirements exist in the UK and other developed countries. Despite these protections, significant disparities persist. For instance in the US, data from the National Deaf Center reveals racial disparities, showing that in 2022, 42.3% of deaf Black people were employed compared to higher rates for other racial groups within the deaf community. This clearly highlights a need for an intersectional approach to advocacy.

In the UK the Equality Act 2010 (England, Scotland, and Wales) and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Northern Ireland) protect against unfair treatment in areas like employment, education, and public services. These laws require service providers and employers to make reasonable adjustments to ensure deaf individuals have equal access and aren’t at a substantial disadvantage. Examples of adjustments include communication support like interpreters or text-based options and ensuring good lighting for lip-reading.

Employers must make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to prevent deaf employees from being at a ‘substantial disadvantage’.

This can include changes to the work environment, practices, or equipment such as: Improving office acoustics with soft furnishings or acoustic panels. Providing a quiet, well-lit workspace. Ensuring clear lines of sight for lip-reading and using technology like video conferencing with captions/palantype or offering communication support such as sign language interpreters for meetings.

Healthcare Access and Effective Communication

Effective communication in healthcare is a matter of life and death. Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals have the right to qualified medical interpreters, clear written materials, and accessible telehealth platforms. When communication fails, the risks of misdiagnosis, improper treatment, and lack of informed consent are dangerously high. The consequences are stark; a University of Cambridge study found that nearly two-thirds of deaf patients reported missing vital information during medical appointments, demonstrating a critical gap in care.

This is crucial because there is substantial evidence that the Deaf in the UK, the USA and many other countries, suffer a greater psychological than those who are hearing. The lack of communication (and interpretation) and healthcare systems that truly understand the Deaf all have a considerable impact on their health and well being.

In the UK for example the Deaf face significant health inequalities due to issues like poor access to healthcare, communication barriers, and social exclusion. These lead to higher rates of mental health problems such as depression and anxiety, plus physical health issues such as diabetes and heart disease. Communication challenges are particularly heightened in situations like hospital visits, and during events like the COVID-19 pandemic. Sign Health has a report ‘Sick of It’ which details the numerous failings in terms of how the NHS manages Deaf clients and patients.

One area that this is improving somewhat is by means of a provision for Interpreter live streaming. Instead of the interpreter being present at the consultation or meeting they are based online and this method helps to ensure that a greater coverage is made.

Mention must be made of the paternalism that exists within the healthcare and medical systems. This care only processes so far before it potentially becomes a tool of assimilation – or even removal.

Public Bodies, Retail, Transport and Services

From local government offices to retail stores/supermarkets, movie theatres/cinemas, banks, buses, coaches, airlines and railways/railroads – many public accommodations must be made accessible. This includes providing interpreters upon request, ensuring televisions display captioning, and training staff on how to communicate effectively with deaf customers. The legislation also extends to emergency services, where access to 911 (US) or 999 (UK) via text or relay services is essential for the well-being of the Deaf community.

Communication Access: The Cornerstone of Equality

At its heart, the struggle for Deaf rights is a struggle for communication access. Without it, participation in society is limited, and equality remains out of reach. Appropriate communication is essential especially in a society that is largely speech based. It is that system which, in a sense, actively excludes Deaf people in all manner of life. Its why Deaf people get rejected in terms of employment and other areas because of the need to speak with others or communicate on the phone. This is an extremely unequal playing field and it needs to be corrected. As shown above many public bodies now are required to make provision so that the Deaf can be on a level with their hearing peers.

Auxiliary Aids and Services for Effective Communication

Evidently there is a considerable need to break down communication barriers. This is not a one-size-fits-all solution. The appropriate aid depends on the context and the individual’s communication preference. Key aids include qualified sign language interpreters, Video Remote Interpreting (VRI), Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) services, and assistive listening systems. Captioning is another crucial tool, with research from RNID showing that 9 out of 10 deaf or Hard of Hearing individuals use subtitles when watching TV.

🔗❤️👬🏿👭Advocacy in Action: Promoting Change and Inclusion

Progress that has been accrued is the result of tireless advocacy by Deaf leaders and their allies. It has shaped legislation and changed public perception. There is however a need to continue the push for full inclusion.

Historical Movements and Their Lasting Impact

The 1880 Conference at Milan certainly prompted a number of endeavours that started the struggle for Deaf Rights. In the UK the BDA is one such organisation that was established as a direct response to that conference which had sought to establish substantial restrictions upon the lives of Deaf people and to enforce a doctrine of speech learning upon the Deaf.

The Deaf President Now (DPN) protest at Gallaudet University in 1988 was a watershed moment for the Deaf rights movement. Up to that point (like in many other organisations) the head (or CEO or Chair) of the organisation was irreducibly hearing. In terms of DPN, it was strongly felt that the time had come for the Deaf to be given a chance. Students successfully demanded the appointment of the university’s first Deaf president, sending a powerful message that deaf people were capable of and deserved to lead their own institutions. DPN raised national awareness and helped galvanize support for the passage of the ADA two years later.

DPN too ensured that other organisations around the world became Deaf led. In the UK the RNID, the BDA and the NDCS saw their first ever Deaf executives appointed.

The BSL Recognition and the BSL Now campaigns have achieved substantial milestones in the fight for Deaf rights in the UK, however compared to the USA, the legislation is not as strong and could do with further reinforcement – especially a more concise legislation around Deaf identity, integrity, provision of interpreters and so on. This would, for example confer additional protections.

The Deaf Legal Theory argues that the law in the UK pertaining to the Deaf is weak and it must be re-written completely in order to give a more concise and stronger framework. It argues that equality law is not working for the Deaf people and also how sign language recognition might achieve transformative equality.

Contemporary Advocacy Efforts and Organisations

Today, organisations like the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) in the US and the BDA/RNID in the UK as well as numerous local and state-level or regional specific Deaf organisations continue the fight. Their advocacy focuses on legal action, legislative reform, and public education. They work to protect and expand rights in areas like healthcare access, telecommunications, and media accessibility, ensuring the Deaf community has a powerful impact in policy decisions that affect their lives.

Intersectionality in Deaf Advocacy

The Deaf community is not a monolith. Effective advocacy must recognize the intersectional identities of its members, including 👋🏿Deaf people of color, 👩🏾👩🏻Deaf women, 🏳️‍🌈 Deaf LGBTQ+ individuals, and those who are DeafBlind or have additional disabilities. Addressing the unique layers of discrimination faced by these individuals is crucial in terms of achieving equity for the entire community.

The Hearing Role in the Deaf Rights Movement

Hearing allies play a vital role in advancing Deaf rights. True allyship involves more than just support; it requires self-awareness and a commitment to action. This means listening to and amplifying the Deaf, learning their sign language, advocating for accessible practices in your own workplaces and communities, and promoting the hiring of Deaf professionals. It is about partnership, not paternalism.

The Future of Deaf Rights and Equality

The journey toward full equality is ongoing, with new challenges and opportunities emerging on the horizon. Technology no doubt tops the list because it means the societal and work areas of life are shifting rapidly, yet communication in the form of speech shall however remain a main modus. There will be greater interface between that and AI hence the Deaf will face a struggle to keep up with these changes. Its hard enough currently because the technology and provision for the Deaf simply cannot keep up. This means any acquisition of rights and equality shall become harder, because invariably, most endeavour revolves around the spoken word.

Emerging Technologies and Innovations in Accessibility

Technology is a double-edged sword. Innovations like automated speech recognition for captioning and advanced hearing aids offer new possibilities for access. However, they also risk being implemented without input from the Deaf community, leading to inaccurate or ineffective solutions. The future lies in co-designing technology with Deaf users to ensure it truly meets their needs. In many ways the hearing world does not listen so it is largely up to the Deaf and relevant organisations to ensure the needs of the Deaf are met.

Technology can be used paternally. This is another problem that faces the Deaf. It is the status quo (the hearing world) that benefits from it rather than the Deaf.

The Fight for Full Inclusion and Systemic Change

While laws provide a foundation for how legislation and rights shall proceed, true inclusion requires a cultural shift. The fight continues against audism and oralism in all forms, from subtle biases to overt discrimination. This means pushing for systemic changes in education that prioritises language acquisition, reforming healthcare systems to be culturally competent, and creating workplaces where Deaf individuals can not only work but lead. Not only that, many paternalistic structures need to be removed.

Become an Informed Ally and Advocate

Change begins with education and action. Commit to learning more about Deaf culture and history. Support Deaf-led organisations and businesses. Advocate for captioning and interpreters at public events. One of the most impactful steps you can take is to start learning American Sign Language. Language is the bridge between cultures, and by learning ASL, you can help build a more inclusive and connected world.

Becoming a friend, ally, or advocate for Deaf individuals involves intentional effort, learning, and active support. Here’s a breakdown of how to take on each role meaningfully:

👍🏽👍Friend of the Deaf Community

Being a friend is about building genuine, respectful relationships with Deaf individuals. Listen and follow the lead of Deaf people. Being a good friend, ally, or advocate means elevating their presence, not centring your own.

Ways to do this:

Learn basic sign language (e.g., American Sign Language – ASL or British Sign Language – BSL or any one of the numerous other world sign languages): Even small efforts shows respect and a willingness to communicate.
Be patient with communication: Use writing, gestures, or phone apps if needed.
Respect Deaf culture: Understand that Deaf people see themselves as a cultural-linguistic group, not as people who need to be fixed.
Include them: In conversations, events, and decision-making – don’t ignore or talk over them.
Ask, don’t assume: Preferences for communication and interaction vary; it’s okay to ask what’s best.
Very importantly: Don’t impose speech on those who cant use it.

👍🏽👍 Ways to be an ally:

Educate yourself on Deaf history, culture, and systemic barriers (e.g., lack of interpreters, inaccessible media).
Amplify the Deaf: Share content by Deaf creators, support their businesses, and listen to their perspectives.
Challenge ableism: Speak out when you see discrimination, exclusion, or offensive stereotypes.
Encourage accessibility: At work, school, or events, advocate for captioning, interpreters, and other accommodations.
Practice inclusive language: Use terms like ‘Deaf person’ or maybe even ‘hard of hearing’ based on different individuals’ preferences.

👍🏽👍 Ways to advocate:

Support Deaf rights legislation: Promote and vote for policies that improve accessibility, education, and employment rights.
Work with organisations: Volunteer, donate to, or partner with the different campaigning and advocacy groups.
Push for accessibility in media and tech: Encourage companies to add captions, visual alerts, and other Deaf-friendly media.
Educate others: Host workshops, write articles, or speak to groups about Deaf issues and culture.
Call out injustice: When schools, employers, or public services fail to accommodate Deaf people, speak up or help them file complaints.

👍🏽👍 Advocate involves considerably more than what many think

Being an ally means standing in solidarity with Deaf people and using your voice to support their rights. Advocacy involves taking more formal or public actions to push for change at systemic or institutional levels. ‘To practice allyship and take accountability, consider unpacking: hearing privilege, audism, phonocentrism, power maintenance, paternalism, marginalization, tokenism, microaggression, hearing fragility, cultural/lingual appropriation, etc.’ Handspeak.

Audism, hearing privilege and paternalism (not forgetting also oralism) are subjects that will be found across Deaf21’s posts. A search will reveal articles covering these topics in detail. Here are some examples of specific Deaf21 posts, such as audism and oralism: Is oralism still a thing? or The Deaf are foreigners in their own country, whilst paternalism is highlighted in the Deaf in Burundi series.

International Organisations

👋🏾👋🏼 World Federation of the Deaf (WFD)

Website: WFD
A global organisation representing Deaf people’s human rights and promoting sign language recognition worldwide.
Offers reports, campaigns, and ways to get involved.

👋🏾👋🏼 International Federation of Hard of Hearing People (IFHOH)

Website: IFHOH
Advocates for accessibility and inclusion for hard of hearing individuals globally.
Focuses on hearing loss, technology, and policy advocacy.

United States

👋🏾👋🏼 National Association of the Deaf (NAD)

Website: NAD
The oldest U.S. civil rights organisation for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
Offers resources, policy advocacy, legal support, and community programs.

👋🏾👋🏼 DeafNation

Website: Deaf Nation
Organises Deaf expos and promotes Deaf culture, news, and events.
Great way to connect with the community in a social setting.

United Kingdom

👋🏾👋🏼 Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID)

Website: RNID
Offers support services, promotes accessibility, and advocates for policy changes in the UK.
You can volunteer, donate, or get involved in local campaigns.

👋🏾👋🏼 British Deaf Association (BDA)

Website: BDA
Promotes Deaf rights, British Sign Language (BSL), and equality for Deaf people across the UK.
Provides community programs and cultural awareness initiatives.

👋🏾👋🏼 Action Deafness Cymru / Byddardod Ymlaen Cymru (BYC)

Website: ADC/BYC
Promotes Deaf rights and equality for Deaf people across Cymru/Wales.
The organisations previously known as WCDP and Action Deafness has undergone a merger and is to be known as Action Deafness Cymru / Byddardod Ymlaen Cymru from 3rd November 2025.

Australia

👋🏾👋🏼 Deaf Australia

Website: Deaf Australia
Advocates for the rights of Deaf people, promotes Auslan (Australian Sign Language), and works on policy and community engagement.

🤟🏾🤟🏼👌🏻👌🏾Learning Resources

For those inspired to learn for example ASL or BSL – numerous resources are available. Local community colleges often offer courses, and a wealth of online platforms and apps can help you begin. Apps provide interactive and accessible ways to learn the fundamentals of signing, offering a direct path to better communication and stronger allyship.

✅ ASL at Gallaudet University

Website: Gallaudet
Free and paid ASL learning tools by the world’s only Deaf university.
Great for beginners or those looking to become fluent.

✅ Start ASL

Website: Start ASL
Offers structured lessons and online community forums.
Affordable option for self-paced ASL learning.

✅ City Lit

Website: City Lit
Offers both in attendance lessons and online.
Also has courses covering other topics eg Deaf history and culture.

✅ Remark

Website: Remark
Deaf led organisation offering accredited BSL courses from Level one through Level Six.
Interpreting Diploma (for those who wish to become a BSL Interpreter).

✅ RAD

Website: RAD
Opportunities for free lessons (according to eligibility).

Some other considerations…

A country’s sign Language isn’t the monolith in every country it is present. If one looks at Wikipedia’s list of the world’s sign languages, it can be seen there are specific variations within a number of countries too. In America there are variations – including a distinct Black use of ASL and also large numbers of Indigenous natives who use Plains Sign Language.

In the UK there’s BSL for a start – yet everything is categorised as ‘BSL’ under legislation – for example the BSL Act of 2022 which seeks to promote BSL in England, Wales, and Scotland.

This monolith approach is hugely problematic for everyone talks about and wants legislation for BSL in both Scotland and Wales. Those in fact need consideration for their local versions eg Cànan Soidhnidh Bhreatainn (Scottish Sign Language) and Iaith Arwyddion Cymraeg (Welsh Sign Language). Certainly in the latter there are efforts to try and ensure a regional variation is pursued – see Grŵp BSL a Byddar Cymru for example. However Scotland too desires that rather than a monolithic BSL overview. It does have the BSL Scotland Act 2015 but that still promotes BSL rather.

In Northern Ireland where both BSL and ISL are used, this unique situation means the BSL Act does not apply. Rather a specific new Act is being pursued to ensure Northern Ireland has legislation that covers both BSL and ISL. This is at least one part of the UK where legislation is being made to cater for regional difference.

Clearly any legislation that implies ‘British’ as the monolith sign language system could in the future be problematic which is why regional differences need legislation now. Thus in Scotland or Wales for example it would be more beneficial to seek specific local organisations who are more focussed on their country’s variation of sign language rather than BSL.

Lastly – How can people get involved?

Volunteer: Many of these orgs welcome hearing allies for events, admin help, or outreach.
Donate or fundraise: Support scholarships, interpreter access, or tech tools.
Attend events: Deaf exhibitions or expositions, seminars, silent dinners, film festivals, and sign language classes.
Share content: Amplify the Deaf on social media.