melissa malzkuhn
@mezmalz
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Following
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Media
338
Statuses
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Founder & Director @motionlightlab , we make bilingual apps; Learn ASL @theaslapp ; Art #tosignishuman ; Cofounder @CREST_network_ , Obama Fellow, Ashoka Fellow
washington dc
Joined August 2011
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Last Seen Profiles
Pinned Tweet
Thrilled to announce we are doing a TV show for children!
@PigmentalStudio
@MotionLightLab
@GallaudetU
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Thank you for noticing that, and it truly was an important moment.
When
@BarackObama
arrived to meet the Foundation fellows today, he greeted them with handshakes. But he greeted Melissa Malzkuhn
@mezmalz
in sign language. She wants to give deaf children digital tools.
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Deaf culture etiquette: when a deaf person asks you to write down on paper, it is extremely rude to keep on talking, or to sigh and make an annoyed face. Don’t make the deaf person ask again. That behavior and attitude is audist. (Yes all of this above happened to me)
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Good morning!!! I’m excited to share that I’m joining the inaugural Obama’s Fellowship class! I’ll be working with civic innovators from all over the world, striving and pushing for positive change!
#ObamaFellows
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This article is heartbreaking. Oral schools still exist and the deaf community carries severe trauma from those schools. The pandemic just heightened what never made sense for deaf children... Learning to hear. Let them be and it is beautiful to be deaf and sign.
This confirms that sign language is the best way to teach deaf children… jeez.
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This is exactly the problem with researchers who have published about Deaf Ed, sign language, Deaf community. In graduate school I was flabbergasted to learn that many researchers can’t sign or can barely sign. Yet they preside over our community with so much authority
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Joining the inaugural
#ObamaFellows
class has been incredible; gained more support for the work we do in our communities, and to focus on a brighter future together.
@ObamaFoundation
is opening application for the next class, and this is a huge opportunity!!! Apply away!
Today, we opened applications for the 2019 class of
#ObamaFellows
. Meet the 2018 class and find out more about what we look for in a Fellow:
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Hi from Chicago!! Just landed and I love the light show here! I’m in town for the first Obama Fellowship gathering. Excited!!
#obamafellows
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Disheartening news-
@BetsyDeVosED
proposes $13M budget cut for Gallaudet. Who pays the price? Deaf, tax-paying citizens: who are already disadvantaged, underrepresented. With this, pathways to higher education+ careers are compromised. 1/2
NO to this:
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Would anyone love to buy a graphic novel anthology by Deaf writers & artists? A collection of say, 10-13 works.
This is def on my back burner
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Mixed feelings about this article. While I’m glad this issue got attention the article missed the real point of the problem.
The problem is not hearing people signing incorrectly.
The problem is hearing people MAKING MONEY OFF ASL
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Mind blowing to see this ad - wow that’s accessibility on the next level
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Watched
#SuperBowl
#HalfTimeShow
and looked everywhere for Sean Forbes & Wawa. Didn’t realize they’re off on the side and I need to tune in to “ASL channel” from NBC. Will have to find it on YouTube later to finally watch their performance. Damn. 😭
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“Stories create who we are...They create ways of understanding our shared humanity.”
Melissa is one of our
#ObamaFellows
and an advocate for the deaf community. Learn more about her work to reinvent the storybook:
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“If deaf infants and toddlers are not provided their right to access to language early in life, then that language deprivation would affect their education, including health education, which then affects their health knowledge and literacy.“ -Peter Hauser
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I’m floored and humbled by the support, and the reaction to the news of the Obama Fellowship. Thank you. Again, I cannot emphasize enough how excited I am and how much it means to me to pull in more support for our work towards literacy for deaf children through sign language.
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And because of deaf brains: researchers found out that learning to read is not associated to sound. It’s actually the patterns that the brain looks for. Any natural languages carry grammatical patterns (phonology). Doesn’t matter to the brain if language is signed or spoken.
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Pretty psyched right now- The ASL App is nominated as app of year by
@TechnicallyDC
PLEASE VOTE!!
#deaftalent
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We are working together, across communities and languages, to push for the best out of humanity. Thank you
@BarackObama
and
@MichelleObama
for the collective wisdom and deep conversation.
#obamafellows
@ObamaFoundation
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One of many takeaways from
#ObamaFellows
- own your narrative. If you don’t tell your narrative, someone else will.
For the Deaf community, our narrative came from everyone except us. We don’t have a single narrative & but we don’t have to. There is room in the world for many.
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This is amazing! Free errand service for high risk Deaf people in DC metro area
#COVID
ー19
#coronavirus
We provide free errands for Deaf people who are at high risk from COVID-19. We currently serve the DC Metro area. Email us at info
@errandfolks
.com to get your free service! Stay healthy!
#coronavirus
#COVID19US
#COVID19
#free
#errands
#deaf
#freeservice
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I love this. Bring on 2019!
The Brazilian First Lady, Michele Bolsonaro, made history today. During her inauguration speech, with the new elected president, she talked to people with disabilities, in sign language, showing her commitment to create inclusivity for persons with disabilities. Memorable!
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Hey friends!!! The ASL App is up for a Webby!!!! Please vote for us, this is surreal!!!
#deaf
#asl
#deafowned
The ASL App is nominated for the Webby Awards! It’s such an honor to be named one of the five “best of the internet” in our category: “education & reference”.
Now this is where your vote comes in!VOTE The ASL App for Webby People’s Voice Award!
Vote:
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Things must change. We been protesting for Deaf leadership since 1988.
A Deaf leader means students have direct access in communication. Culture, community, language, all embedded. There’s the shared Deaf experience.
In solidarity with students!
#DeafsuperintendentnowATL
Students at Atlanta Area School for the Deaf are protesting the racism and audism of school administration and demanding to have a deaf superintendent.
#DeafSuperintendentNowATL
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Our work today- we were trying to tell people that deaf children who do not receive early sign language exposure struggle with literacy. The brain is primed for language learning at ages 0-3, the crucial years. 3-5; still crucial but that window is closing.
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Honored and humbled to be recognized as a leading Ashoka social entrepreneur, and thanks
@AshokaUS
and
@Forbes
for the feature! Excited to see more opportunities for the Deaf community & our work spotlighted!
@MotionLightLab
@VL2Science
@GallaudetU
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But, science is really meaningless, if the information and findings are not translated to society. We just have “well intended” ignorant idiots deciding what is the best for deaf children. Language deprivation is real. It’s happening everyday.
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“The most important thing... Deaf children should never be isolated from the Deaf community.... their human right is sign language access.” -Liisa Kauppinen (global Deaf leader)
@WFDeaf_org
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It’s a big deal kind of day for me and
@lornaquandt
. This all started from a core basic question of - “hey, all those cool stuff on sign language technology are missing out deaf people - what can we do?” Huge thanks to
@NSF
for their investment. Our goal is to connect people.
Big news today! CREST is officially launching and inviting members to join from across the world.
Interested in sign language technology? Sign recognition, signing avatars,
#signinVR
, etc? Come join us at
@GallaudetU
@VL2Science
#deaftech
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Let me tell you something:
Because of deaf bodies, neuroscientists could understand the human brain better. Map the differences between language and movement. (Sign language!!! Study ‘em!)
My point: every difference in a human being is exactly what science needs to advance
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We had a frank conversation w/
@CNNUnderscored
about learning ASL-from whom?
Many unqualified hearing ppl are teaching ASL online, like Udemy. They don’t represent the Deaf community & students lose the authenticity/culture that come from a Deaf teacher.
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News!!! United Nations designated Sept 23 as International Day of Sign Languages. As a native ASL speaker, this is a proud moment. Thanks
@WFDPresident
& team for pushing this to happen.
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“When I was a young child, the deaf leaders in my Nordic countries always tell me this: Deaf must lead Deaf. And that’s how it should be, always.”- Liisa Kauppinen, former World Federation of the Deaf president and a deeply honored human rights activist worldwide.
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This drives my work on creating quality resources for people to learn sign language, and to advance literacy for deaf children. Thanks
@PBS
for highlighting this.
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Until we get the center stage and explain how the underrepresented actually revolutionizes science, we are done talking to empty chairs.
#AAASmtg
@AAASmeetings
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Sign language recognition by parliament means a whole lot of change for the deaf community - Access!!! Education, services, employment, etc. AND the very recognition of cultural and community values. A big WIN for Luxembourgian deaf community!
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Seeing Warren struggle in primaries struck a chord in me, personally, as a woman. I’m tired of inexperienced men making more strides than a woman who has prepared, worked hard, studied policies, went and gave it her 110%. I know because it’s so prevalent everywhere.
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Loving all
#CODA
wins!! Still got Best Picture coming up! Def a win for Deaf community! Sian’s the first person to bring an ASL interpreter with her onstage, you rock!!!!!
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Beyond thrilled to share our work on literacy for deaf children through bilingual storybook apps with
@MotionLightLab
#obamafellows
On
#WorldLiteracyDay
, we want to share the inspirational work of one of the
#ObamaFellows
:
@mezmalz
founded
@MotionLightLab
to create digital tools that support the development of literacy in deaf children. Learn more:
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Excited about Hu Infinity design. We’ve always been signing, since the beginning of time, and we always will.
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WOW at this. Deaf talk is right in the center! Absolutely stunning!!!!!!
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I’ve made up my mind & I urge my friends in the deaf / disabled / BIPOC communities do the same. For any future academia conferences: request prime slots. Or don’t even bother attending. I know for some of us, it’s to build networking and resumes and experiences. It’s hard.
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When I was a kid,mom took me and sis to a deli place. A lady working there out of blue clamped her hands on mom’s ears & started praying fervently. She’d say “Can you hear now?” A few failed tries later, she got ushered away by a mortified coworker.
#ablesareweird
#godmadeusdeaf
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#access
stress is real
We FINALLY connected with interpreters yesterday- and met for the first time today. No advance prep. Nothing. And this is AAAS, the premier association for science. If they truly wanted to know what we have to say, they would have cared.
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Beyond excited to be part of the first class. Honored to be among incredible people.
#ObamaFellows
We just announced the inaugural class of
#ObamaFellows
. These 20 civic leaders have carried out inspiring work around the world. Now, they’ll come together to collaborate, exchange ideas, and inspire a wave of civic innovation. Meet the Fellows:
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Also, when I say deaf people, I’m emphasizing this— deaf people as partners, collaborators, designers/developers as well as researchers. NOT as “testers” and “users”. We are in an era where we can build & amplify this field together.
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Instead, we crossed off the diversity and disabled list.
Congratulations.
Science for Humanity. Theme this year. Feels totally disingenuous.
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Deaf community is underrepresented, period.
We work hard to get our information and knowledge out there; but it doesn’t matter unless there is a receptive audience. We got the “end of conference” slot. Saturday afternoon. Seems like the prime is on Thursday and Friday.
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Amazing news!! The truth to this- nothing beats open captioned experience at the movies. I’ve used all kinds of captioning devices (stands or glasses) and they never feel right. I’m always uncomfortable. Open captioned movies = equal access. Way to go Hawaii!!!
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Work is full of surprises. Japan PM's wife visited Gallaudet!
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This is what we’ve been doing to ensure deaf children get access to ASL during this time. We are in our 7th week now!
Sign up, or log in, to ASL Literacy Activities to download!
#DeafEdAtHome
#OperationASLStorytime
#deafkids
#ASL
#VL2apps
#thegiantturnip
#slavic
#folktale
#quest
#science
#learn
#signlanguage
#free
#coronavirus
#covid19
#homeschooling
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Congratulations, this is huge, huge, huge news!!!
Nederlandse Gebarentaal is een officiële taal in Nederland nu! Wetsvoorstel unaniem aanvaard 🙌🏻🙌🏻 Sign Language of the Netherlands is an official language in the Netherlands from today! Law proposal accepted unanimously 🙌🏻🙌🏻 Congratulations to all involved!!
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SEPTEMBER 23!!!
Let’s celebrate International Day of Sign Languages
#IDSL2019
#IWDeaf2019
#tosignishuman
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I’m retweeting so Deaf people will not hire this interpreter.
@thedailymoth
Check this unethical interpreter out. Very shady about his own bias especially from a position of power, unfortunately.
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RBG is gone. Rest In Peace, and I hope her fervent wish comes true. We wait until the new President for a new Supreme Court justice.
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Exactly. My recent theater experience resulted in a free movie ticket because the captioning didn’t work for that particular movie. “It’s broken,” the manager told me. That ended my date night with my wife. Free tickets.... still doesn’t solve it. OC is the answer.
Open captioned movies are the best experience for deaf people, no matter what.
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Rest In Peace, Bernard Bragg. You left a mark on this world and inspired generations. (GIF thanks to Ben Bahan.).
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Congratulations to the Deaf Community in Italy! A huge victory for many decades of leadership and mobilization!
🎉Congratulations to WFD Ordinary Member
@ENSOnlus
on the legal recognition of Italian Sign Language (LIS) as an official language!
-
#ENSOnlus
#italy
#wfdeaf
#signlanguage
#recognition
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Ways to be an ally to the Deaf community:
- learn sign language!!
@theaslapp
- try to learn from Deaf teachers (if none in your area, that’s understandable)
- stand with us when we say Deaf babies need sign language
- understand how the medical framework is harmful to us
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Huge news!! Congratulations!!! Filipino Sign Language recognized in Philippines!
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Best acceptance speech, ever! So eloquent, and straight from the heart! Congratulations
@TroyKotsur
!!!!!
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Because Deaf people fought for years to have the RIGHT to use sign language, and because we are still trying to end language deprivation for deaf babies —
It is ignorance and disrespectful when hearing people ride on the ASL wave by monetizing it
That is not called allyship
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Happy International Day of Sign Language!
#IDSL2018
(it’s our first ever starting this year, thanks
@UN
)
Offer Deaf Children Education in Sign Language!
Education in sign language is essential for children to communicate, thrive, and learn.
#SignLanguagesDay
#IDSL2018
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Walking Dead is adding a deaf character!! Even better, it’s Lauren Ridloff!! CANNOT WAIT!
@LaurenRidloff
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Love this precious video, important for the world to see how a deaf toddler is captivated by ASL rhymes and rhythms - as hearing toddlers are by sound based rhymes. Language development at work here!
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How a DayQuil induced haze brought our first Deaf doctor on TV! No, seriously, we need to speak our minds. That’s what happened. You rock,
@Shoshannah7
!!!! 🤟🤘🤟🤘🤟
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Sign language gloves is only a little part of a much bigger picture - deaf involvement in design process
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Feeling inspired, thanks to signing
@starbucks
recognizing Sheri Farinha
@xoSheri
and her work with LEAD-K legislation for deaf children’s language access! This made me feel like Deaf Community is a big part of DC. Things like this goes a long way!
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Reading this article really hit close to home. This is why we are seriously ramping up
#OperationASLStorytime
#deafedathome
. Because, this. And access to ASL is precious to us- it’s not a luxury it’s our lifeline.
@GallaudetU
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Who is interpreting at
@AAASmeetings
in Washington DC?
I’m real worried by lack of communication. Cold placing random interpreters on me and my content = FAIL.
It’s a fact. I’ve been pretty polite about this but I’m tired of
#access
stress.
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I 😍 Raylene. As
@starrymountains
says
#rayleneforthewin
WE need our best CDIs at White House Press Briefings
@NAD1880
@WhiteHouse
@AndyDRC
#access
Austin raised the bar today, by using a kick-ass deaf interpreter, Raylene Lotz, at a live press conference today.
@austintexasgov
and
@MayorAdler
🙌. This needs to be the standard for all press conferences.
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Bringing you original ASL rhymes!! Real proud of my team too!
What’s sweet, wears frosting, and slings out the baddest ASL holiday rhymes? Check out the song Nutmeg, Cinnamon, and Sugar put together just for you! Enjoy! The Motion Light Lab team wishes you a festive holiday season and a joyful new year!
@GallaudetU
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This is so great!! I hope there are MORE of this!
If you're happy and you know it, here's another way to show it! Enjoy one of your favorite nursery rhymes in American Sign Language (ASL), made with the help of
@Ntdeaf
!
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How come we sent people to the moon and photographed Pluto, but captioning isn't available on in-flight movies?
#FridayFeeling
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Guess what?? The ASL App is
#7
in education on
@AppStore
- this is huge!!
PS. The ASL App is available on Google Play too!
@theaslapp
🤟
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This list can go on and on.
If Deaf people are angry at hearing creators on socials, so be it.
“Angry Deaf person” is simply someone who tried to educate too many ignorant ppl in a short time.
Tired Deaf Person is more accurate. We are on repeat everyday.
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Visual vernacular “VV” is an ASL storytelling technique pioneered by Bernard Bragg which consists of ASL classifiers, mime, gestures and cinematic techniques to create powerful visual elements in a story. We’re excited our next storybook app incorporates strong VV use!
Loving the visual vernacular here. This is a sneak preview of a new storybook app in production: EAT YOUR VEGGIES with the talented Justin Perez
Anticipated release: March 2021
Stay tuned!
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LOVE!!!!!
@LaurenRidloff
on the cover of Entertainment magazine- what a milestone for her, and a win for the Deaf community!! Gotta hunt that one down!
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Our representation & narratives are nonexistent in media. We need this to change. Calling out
@hulu
@AmazonStudios
@netflix
@Bravotv
#deafoutloud
- we subscribe to your shows. Pick this show up so more people can become aware of the Deaf community and American Sign Language.
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Ian Sanborn the storyteller for this app blows my mind with his ASL 😍🤯
Take a real good look at how he uses the B handshape to describe the emotions of a fox (through its ears). Incredible. I love how I’m visualizing ANIMATION through ASL.
*NEW* Announcing: A Tale of Two Foxes: ASL/English bilingual storybook app about two foxes who argue about cloud watching. Artist Fox claims to see animals and landscapes, whereas Scientist Fox sees cloud types. This educational app introduces young deaf readers to clouds!
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“The future of humanity is going to get a lot deafer”
Enjoying this oped by
@NovicSara
SO much. You all gotta read it!!!
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Republicans are accusing Democrats of being unable to work with Trump.
Republicans need to remember how they refused to work with a democratic President, stalling his pick and nomination for a Supreme Court justice, pushing it into Trump’s hands.
I will NOT forget that.
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Birthday wish came true!!!
Go President Biden and Vice President Harris!!!!
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Congrats Anthony - Teacher of the Year - thanks for bringing attention on shortage of deaf teachers
So this happened… Grateful to have a teacher in the
@WhiteHouse
! Thank you
@FLOTUS
!
#DeafEd
@CCSSO
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Ultimately, learning ASL is such a fun journey- your brain works on a new language physically, spatially, & you get to retrain your eyes on how to listen.
However, ASL is not separate from the community that uses it. Learn ASL & learn Deaf culture and ways.
It’s connected.
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“I don’t even understand the meaning of silence.” Well put, Nyle! I don’t know either, the world is stimulating to me.
Excuse me while I enjoy my coffee with the dog barking, cars driving by, dishwasher on, and the TV blaring. Ah. Calm mornings :)
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“Obama’s values got me involved, but I was able to have a 9 year career thanks to communication technology and access.” Leah Katz-Hernandez, first deaf receptionist of the United States
@wonderwomentech
#WonderWomenTech
#perspectives
#Diversity
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This is utterly amazing. This takes me back to the day I met the Obamas. I asked for a hug and they said “Wakanda Forever?”
I love how Coogler incorporated a beautiful meaning from ASL into something powerful and symbolic.
'“Coogler reveals that the “Wakanda Forever!” salute comes from two different sources: Egyptian pharaohs and sculptures from West Africa, as well as the words “love” and “hug” in American Sign Language (ASL).”
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Holy shit!!! Sho got nominated for best character in a comedy-drama. She’s among stellar company for the nomination! What a testament and I can’t wait for her win either!
#teamSho
I’d say something more substantial but my brain fell out of my head the nanosecond I saw this. Thank you
@C21Media
for this incredible nomination! I’m so honored to be in this crazy brilliant company.
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Ways to be an ally to Deaf community, cont’d:
- buy sign language merch from DEAF
- follow Deaf people on socials (there are diverse voices & interests. You can learn recipes or life philosophies from deaf. We are not limited to teaching sign) :)
- recognize hearing privilege
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