Language access and communication access are NOT the same thing. Neither English nor American Sign Language (ASL) is my first language. Russian is. I’m fluent in English and ASL, but I don’t expect ...

A board resolution on Nov. 10, 2026 asks the FCC to deny any plan to retire copper-based telephone service in Oneida County until verified, address-specific replacement services — citing 911 and elderly residents — are in place.

Local providers and advocates urged the Joint Appropriations Committee to study models in Nebraska, Colorado and Idaho and consider forming an independent commission for the deaf to coordinate education, advocacy and statewide interpreter services.

I love the theater. I even dabbled in performing in college. But as my hearing loss progressed, enjoying a show got harder. The hush before the curtain and the energy in the room came with an asterisk. Will the assistive listening system work tonight? Will I have to track down an usher to replace a faulty receiver or captioning device? Will I spend the second act guessing at the dialogue? Discovering open captions brought theater back to me. But not everyone finds their way back. For some people with hearing loss, the cost of a ticket is too high to risk a performance where they may struggle to follow the dialogue.

Today is the International Day of Sign Languages. Sign languages deserve recognition and access. As we celebrate them, let’s also clear up a common misconception: being deaf doesn’t automatically mean...

September is Deaf Awareness Month. When businesses think of deafness, they often picture someone using sign language. But deafness is a spectrum, not a monolith. Sign language is essential for some...

Learn practical ways to support autistic students with communication, sensory needs, transitions, breaks, and classroom participation.

Technical health-aid-products for a life more self-confident!

There are many things to love about Hawaii. Amazing sunsets. Incredible snorkeling. The aloha spirit of its residents. And captions at the airport. Wait! I hadn't expected that last one! I love Hawaii, so it is always with a heavy heart that I return to the airport for the long flight back to New York. Arriving at the gate, I often notice something special.

Do you meditate? Sometimes people with hearing loss find it challenging, especially if the meditation is guided, meaning that we must follow along while someone is speaking. If we close our eyes, we may miss the meaning, and while Bluetooth connections allow for some guided meditations to broadcast directly into our devices, this may not be relaxing for some. Recently, I discovered a new option: a guided meditation created specifically for people with hearing loss.

Captions are an essential communication tool. They help us understand what words people are saying, environmental sounds like a door slamming, or if there is music playing. But captions could do more to express the emotional context behind what is being said. Launched on Android phones in December, Google's Expressive Captions aims to do just that. What are Expressive Captions? …