The Signing Ecosystem

Connecting you to the Signing community around the world.
The signing ecosystem provides a lifetime of opportunity for our signing communities to connect, discover, and influence.

[Start Video Transcript]

[Music]

hey

do you want to explore dc today yeah

sure but

today let’s do something different why

don’t we check out the local signing

ecosystem

what’s that i’ll show you

[Music]

want a drink how about a chai latte sure

[Music]

starbucks signing starbucks yes

let’s go what’s next

let’s see how much you know about

gallaudet sure

you’ve worked here for 12 years and you

didn’t know

i know i know i know i’m starving you

want to grab some pizza

yes

mozzarella perfect and it’s deaf owned

too

perfect let’s go

[Applause]

[Music]

another pizza we’re stuffed dessert

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Putting ourselves on the map

Connecting you with the Signing Ecosystem. Come build with us to put our collective mark on the world.

[Start Video Transcript]

The global pandemic has challenged us and provided opportunities like never before.

We now have the opportunity to learn,

grow, and expand the reach of our signing community

and vibrancy of our language.

Each one of you had to adapt.

In fact, all of us have been able to adapt.

We are all in this together and together we will succeed.

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Sign Languages are for Everyone!

The Signing Ecosystem is global. Here you can see the important role that sign languages play in social, cultural, economic, and political life.

[Start Video Transcript]

Tracey Smith, Information Security Human Resource manager,

reached out to me and said

“our CISO (Chief Information Security Officer), Kostas,

wants to see more diversity and inclusion

in Information Security, do you have any ideas?”

I said “Yes, actually.

Why don’t we start a partnership with Gallaudet?”

We met with P&G’s Digital Forensics

and eDiscovery executives.

At the end of the meeting, the executives were intrigued

and wanted to visit Gallaudet the very next month.

After we spent all day with them,

it was agreed upon that they would commit to take

in three interns from our IT department.

All three were assigned to three different parts

of cyber security.

P&G has a high bar of standards here.

We expect employees and interns to come in and

perform at their peak.

Additionally, P&G loaned Scott to teach a course remotely

here at Gallaudet.

This was part of our efforts to help strengthen

the IT curriculum.

I didn’t realize I had actually gotten the internship.

It’s truly been life changing.

We’ve learned and played with new ideas.

It’s been fun, and in talking with my mentors

it’ll really help my future professional skills.

It’s been comfortable as if I just belonged there.

I was able to connect and converse with others.

It’s the perfect field for deaf people.

Deaf people are used to analyzing with their eyes.

and many times we find things that others may not right away.

They were ongoingly committed to our interns.

They were very excited in making this happen.

They took action right away and it was a very successful

experience, as a result, for both the company

and our students.

This was their first time hosting deaf interns

but it was effortless, because everyone at P&G was on board.

They truly respected the value to add diversity

and inclusion to their workplace.

All three interns exceeded my expectations.

Captioned by aslcaptions.com

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Everyone is welcome to the Signing Ecosystem

When more employers like Procter & Gamble recognize and invest in not only our community members but also in the #SigningEcosystem, everyone wins!

[Start Video Transcript]

What you’ve just seen with us,

as well as what happened at the Metro,

was gestural communication.

How did we start using this all over the world?

You can imagine [hearing] parents having deaf children

and beginning to communicate by gesturing.

Perhaps it’s at a workplace communicating

with a new deaf hire.

Gesture can be used as a form of communication everywhere.

This question led to our pursuit of and founding of the

Gesture Literacy Knowledge Studio.

Our lab is unique because it is deaf-centered.

The lab is operated by deaf people who look at gestures

through the lens of sign language.

The goal is not to benefit deaf and hard of hearing [people],

but rather, all of humanity.

Gestures and sign language communication involve using

your body, pointing, facial expressions,

acting and gesturing.

Also involved in this communication process

is eye contact.

Making this connection

really improves communication in many ways.

There are many sign language forms in the world.

The root of all these languages comes down to gesturing.

When you have become comfortable with gestures,

you have already set the foundation.

This makes it easier for you to learn sign language

on top of this skill!

This allows us to broaden our worldview, giving us freedom

and increasing its use in social situations

means that deaf people have more access.

People will always use gesture,

whether it’s at work, or at school in the classrooms,

where teachers might gesture

to aid in the visual learning process for students.

Gesturing impacts us on multiple fronts.

We are making practical use of this idea to make the world

a better place, and increase communication within our society.

[End Video Transcript]

With gestures and, ultimately, Sign Language, we will flourish

Over 7,000 languages are spoken. Over 300 different sign languages are used. However, nonverbal communication accounts for around 70% of human communication.

[Start Video Transcript]

hello Mr. Cook I am thrilled to be sending you what may be your first ever

letter in American Sign Language last week I had a historic and memorable

visit to your Apple Store to observe the training of our K through 12 teachers

related to their bilingualism curriculum it was remarkable to see 22 deaf

employees along with interpreters and the bilingual communication happening

there this was an unprecedented opportunity for us our community for

Apple and for Gallaudet

Gallaudet made an investment decision to purchase iPads for all of our K through

12 students on the recommendation of our teachers and staff

this was after various technological options were assessed to decide the best

fit for bilingual learning we selected your iPads the combination of the impact

of our decision to adopt your technology along with Apple’s corporate commitment

to accessibility and diversity and hiring people with skills is simply

unmatched

we are thrilled to see this partnership grow with your store we are thrilled to

see the impact of your commitment to accessibility and hiring diverse people

including our students and our alumni who work at your store the impact we are

making collectively on the future lives of deaf children and indeed on deaf and

hard of hearing people all over the world is just phenomenal I look forward

to continuing our collaboration in fostering economic growth in our

communities and in the signing ecosystem thank you and congratulations.

[End Video Transcript]

Already in the Signing Ecosystem.

You may be already an ally, and just not know it. Apple’s corporate commitment to accessibility and diversity and hiring people with skills is simply unmatched.

Strengthening Equality Across Disparities

The signing ecosystem highlights the Deaf Ecosystem and allies working toward collective empowerment, emerging from diverse visual and tactile signed languages and cultures around the globe. Investing in our Signing Ecosystem results in us all thriving and becoming more self-reliant.

Social Equity

Combating inequities in social environments including places of health/medicine, education, business and government by requiring more accessible and tolerant interactions.

Educational Equity

Addressing educational disparities in primary/secondary and higher education by increasing visibility and accessibility for deaf children and students, and providing resources and guidance for educators, families, schools.

Workplace Equity

Improving our interactions in the workplace environment by sharing tools and resources to make the workforce accessible and inclusive, leading to more jobs and hires of people in our communities.

Economic Equity

Strengthening financial support, resources, and economic empowerment for deaf-owned businesses and businesses committed to accessible services and the welfare of our communities.

Race, Culture, and Language Equity

Embracing the rich variety of backgrounds and origins in the worldwide signing ecosystem, acknowledging diversity in race, ethnicity, culture, and language, and fostering inclusion in our community.

The sign路ing ec路o路sys路tem

/T蜔H膿,T蜔H蓹藞s墨niNG 藞膿k艒藢sist蓹m/

noun

The Signing Ecosystem encompasses the global community connected through visual and tactile signed languages, including the Deaf Ecosystem and its allies, united throughout:

- Existing and emerging varieties of sign languages
- Rich cultural backgrounds and origins
- Conscious empowerment of each other

As an ecosystem, we all work together to advance the socioeconomic, ethical, and political betterment of deaf, deaf blind, deaf-disabled, and late-deafened people across the world.

Strengthen a network of millions of deaf people around the world, as well as businesses, organizations and institutions that embrace the signing ecosystem!

3rd

ASL is the most taught language in the U.S.

()

200-300

Sign Languages Worldwide

()

$10.3

Billion ASL Economy in the U.S

(黑料老司机, 2021)

Countries in the world that recognize sign language

()

3rd

ASL is the most taught language in the U.S.

()

200-300

Sign Languages Worldwide

()

$10.3

Billion ASL Economy in the U.S

(黑料老司机, 2021)

Countries in the world that recognize sign language

()

The reality our community faces

0 %

Less than 2% of 34 million deaf children worldwide receive access to a signed language in early childhood.

()

0 %

Of parents of deaf children do not know sign language.

(Annual Survey, Gallaudet Research Institute (2012))

0 %

Of people with hearing loss are unemployed or underemployed.

()

0 %

Of the 34 million children with disabling hearing loss around the world, the World Federation of the Deaf estimates 80% do not have access to education.

()

Hits and Misses in the Signing Ecosystem

Hits

Workplaces, services, and events such as conferences, concerts, and more, that already provide accessibility accommodations, or will gladly provide upon request

Hiring and supporting talented deaf artists and entrepreneurs

Learning ASL or any signed language to communicate with a deaf or hard of hearing person in your life

Understanding and accepting the wide variety of identities and accommodation needs across the deaf spectrum

Innovative technology solutions that elevate accessibility for large communities, not just for the deaf and hard of hearing

Allowing deaf and hard of hearing children the freedom to explore various communication methods that works best for them and their education

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Misses

Selling or teaching ASL or ASL-related products with no involvement or approval from deaf or hard of hearing perspectives

Glamorization of sign language interpreters or hearing people who use ASL with lack of recognition for deaf people themselves

Propaganda with misleading messages that prioritize assistive devices and the ability to hear as the only or cure-all solution for deaf and hard of hearing people

Perpetuating ill-conceived notions of deaf and hard of hearing people and assigning expectations based on common tropes and stereotypes

Denying sign language access for deaf children, which causes language deprivation, while popularizing the use of baby signs for hearing children

Depriving deaf and hard of hearing children鈥檚 opportunity to explore various communication modes, which restricts their growth and access to education

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Why this matters?

Upwards of 70%

of the deaf population are either underemployed or unemployed, and often, deaf business owners face societal barriers and lack of entrepreneurial support, hindering their ability to grow their businesses.

A strengthened, united signing ecosystem

Will lead to social and economic influence, increasing retention and expansion of jobs, resources, and wealth within the signing community.

Combating exploitation and appropriation

Protecting the signing community鈥檚 collective wealth and opportunities means combating our resources from being exploited and dispersed into the larger society.

Building a foundation for longevity

And ensuring our community鈥檚 resources no longer leave our ecosystem means we can remain empowered with a growing positive impact on our socio-economic status.

Where all things are possible.

Being deaf is not something to overcome, but a process of understanding oneself, and building connections within and beyond the signing and deaf community. By extension, the Signing Ecosystem is a place where deaf individuals will find affirmative and positive acceptance of who they are and all they have to offer the world.

黑料老司机 and The Signing Ecosystem

For more than 150 years, 黑料老司机 has been the political, social, and economic engine of our signing community. To that end, Gallaudet is a global change agent 鈥� a hub of the signing ecosystem, preparing our community members to flourish, and helping society to value and appreciate all that deaf people have to offer. Let鈥檚 work and grow together to make this ecosystem possible everywhere else in the world.

[Start Video Transcript]

We might think Gallaudet is pretty small, just us within each other.

Really, no, it’s a lot bigger than that. We have an entire community on the outside.

From grocery stores to Starbucks to restaurants to just about anywhere!

You’ll be able to bump into people who sign, easily order a burger and they’ll respond in sign language.

Where else can you find that? No where, really, besides here.

We call that the signing ecosystem.

[End Video Transcript]

[Start Video Transcript]

Why do I love Gallaudet? There’s signing everywhere, not just on campus.

My world expands into Washington DC too.

For example, when I go out to eat, go out for coffee, go grocery shopping, I’m surrounded by signing.

Plus jobs, internships, with interpreters, and with deaf co-peers like myself.

That’s the signing ecosystem.

[End Video Transcript]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Signing Ecosystem?

The Signing Ecosystem encompasses the global community connected through visual and tactile signed languages, including the Deaf Ecosystem and its allies, united through :

Evolving proficiencies and modalities of sign language
Rich cultural backgrounds and origins
Conscious empowerment of each other

As an ecosystem, we all work together to advance the socioeconomic, ethical, and political betterment of deaf, hard of hearing, deaf blind, deaf-disabled, and late-deafened people across the world.

What are some examples of a Signing Ecosystem?

Some examples of a Signing Ecosystem are:

Deaf and hard of hearing-run businesses (Deaf Ecosystem); e., Streetcar 82 Brewing Co., Mozzeria, Crepe Crazy, Lost River Vacations, Kramer Wealth Managers, etc.
Educational institutions looking to add ASL programs to their curriculum, or considering the integration of a true bilingual teaching curriculum.
Businesses or other institutions interested in incorporating sign language-friendly or Deaf spaces to their buildings.
Businesses and corporations that find the value of the signing community as both customers and employers in adding deaf and hard of hearing people鈥檚 keen skills to the workforce.
Businesses can integrate into the signing ecosystem by offering internships, jobs, and sign-friendly workspaces to deaf and hard of hearing people.
黑料老司机, considered a hub for deaf people, is the only university designated for deaf and hard of hearing students. Gallaudet practices bilingual teaching and learning, employs hundreds of deaf and hard of hearing people, and the Signing Starbucks in Washington, D.C. remodeled their H Street, NEstore to include elements of Deaf Space and culture. A lot of materials feature ASL concepts and the artwork was created by deaf people. The store employs deaf people, many of whom are Gallaudet students and graduates.
Apple Store at Carnegie Library, Apple鈥檚 newest flagship store, located in Washington, D.C., employs over 20 deaf and hard of hearing people team members with full-time on-site ASL interpreters for their deaf and hard of hearing staff members and to provide access to their free daily instructional sessions for the deaf and hard of hearing community.

What is the difference between the Deaf Ecosystem and the Signing Ecosystem?

Though similar in principle, the difference between the Deaf and Signing Ecosystems is that the Signing Ecosystem is meant to be more inclusive of all in the signing community, including their employers, friends, and educator colleagues. The Signing Ecosystem embraces those who are already associated, while reaching out to those who can benefit while expanding the community through the idea of embracing inclusionism.

What does the Signing Ecosystem achieve?

The Signing Ecosystem brings awareness to deaf and hard of hearing people and sign languages, cultivates opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing people, and advances the lives of deaf and hearing people on a broader scale.

What can I or my organization do to support the Signing Ecosystem?

Find unique ways to become more mindful and inclusive of deaf and hard of hearing people. Become more aware of what deaf and hard of hearing people and American Sign Language have to offer, as well as their inherent value and benefits. Reach out to us at Gallaudet for more information or a consultation.

Interested in learning more about the Signing Ecosystem or 黑料老司机?

Fill out the form with your information and we will be in touch!

By filling out the form, you鈥檒l receive information about admissions, invitations to special events, news, and how our students and professors are changing the world.

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