September 20-26, 2020 marks the 52nd annual Deaf Awareness Week, celebrated by the World Federation for the Deaf (WFD) and its global affiliates. Deaf Awareness Week promotes Deaf culture, raises awareness for organizations that support those who are deaf, and encourages inclusion for all. This year the WFD designated the week as a period “Reaffirming Deaf People’s Human Rights.”

The Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) is committed to supporting the human rights of employment and independent living for individuals with disabilities, including those who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened, and DeafBlind. The DOR demonstrates this commitment by creating an inclusive environment that recognizes the talent and potential of individuals with disabilities, and by providing advocacy for communication access, Deaf Culture and American Sign Language (ASL) awareness, counseling, technical assistance, and vocational rehabilitation and other services to promote the hiring, retention, and advancement of Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals in the workforce.

As community organizations that serve the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened and DeafBlind work to provide support and services during the COVID-19 pandemic, annual in-person community events celebrating Deaf culture are being reimagined as virtual events in the coming months. DOR employees can learn more about Deaf culture and ASL by visiting the one-hour DOR Deaf Awareness training video on YouTube. For further information about how your branch or district can find about and support Deaf Awareness events supported by the local community, or to obtain Deaf culture awareness training, please contact Monica Handley, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Program Manager at monica.handley@dor.ca.gov or (916) 273-3428.