Celebrating Deaf Awareness Month
/September is Deaf Awareness Month!
Deaf Awareness Month, celebrated each September, is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate Deaf culture, language, community, and the diversity of experiences within the Deaf community. It also provides an opportunity to raise awareness about contemporary issues affecting Deaf people and the importance of access to sign language and communication.
As part of Deaf Awareness Month, International Week of Deaf People will be celebrated September 21 through 27, 2026. This year’s theme highlights the fundamental connection between sign languages and human rights, recognizing that access to sign language is essential to communication, participation, and inclusion.
As is reflected in our name, RGC Access is committed to providing high quality communication access throughout our community. We also believe in educating organizations and the public about their responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the importance of creating meaningful access for Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing people.
We can all participate in Deaf Awareness Month by learning about Deaf culture, respecting and supporting sign language, creating accessible spaces, and recognizing the important contributions of the Deaf community in our everyday lives.
May this month be a reminder to celebrate the richness of Deaf culture, honor the importance of communication access, and recognize the many community members and partners who work together to advance Deaf awareness and inclusion.
We want to mention a few highlight from this month related to Deaf Awareness.
On September 4th, 2026, the Isotopes had their annual ASL game night. The players wore specialty Isotopes jerseys (with Isotopes spelled out in ASL) which were put up for auction. All the proceeds supported local Deaf and hard-of-hearing school programs in Albuquerque.
On Saturday, September 12, 2026, The Imperial hosted a comedy night, ASL interpretation was provided! We thank them for making their comedy night accessible to our Deaf community!
September 24, 2026 there’s an event at the Artesia Public Library called “Empowering DEAFinitely,” which is free and open to the public. It celebrates the International Week of the Deaf. Attendees will learn about Deaf culture and multiple signed languages from all over the world.
We’d also like to take this opportunity to thank those in the community who regularly provide open access to their events. Thank you Santa Fe Pride, Museum of International Folk Art, New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe Playhouse, and Comedy Night at The Imperial. If you are interested in providing ASL interpreters for open access for your events, please reach out to RGC Access!
