How Deaf people got their civil rights

In this article

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Quick answer

The the Americans with Disabilities Act, signed in 1990, prohibited discrimination based on disability and ensured equal access to opportunity for Deaf individuals.

This past Monday, we celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a time to reflect on the ongoing fight for civil rights and equality. Wanna hear how the civil rights movement impacted the Deaf community? Keep reading!

Let's hear from Bloom, who is Deaf herself. Here she is with her adorable Labrador, Joy:

Bloom and Joy standing and waving `hello'

The Deaf experience

Hello, it's Bloom, it's nice to meet you!

To understand how Deaf people feel, imagine you’re living in a country where no one speaks your language, and you don’t understand a word. 😩 Now, let’s say you’re dining at a restaurant, checking in to a hotel, or visiting the doctor. How will you communicate? Hard, isn’t it?

That's how I myself and other Deaf people feel when we have to interact with non-signers!‍

But here’s the good news: thanks to the ASL Bloom app, more and more people know how to sign! Download it now, and start making the world a better place 🥳

The Americans with Disabilities Act

One of the most important milestones of the civil rights movement was the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law by President George H.W. Bush 35 years ago in 1990. The ADA prohibits discrimination based on disability and ensures equal access to opportunities—and this has been monumental for the Deaf community!

Deaf individuals like me now have greater access to education, employment, healthcare, and public life. Schools, workplaces, and hospitals must provide accommodations such as ASL interpreters, captioning, and accessible workspaces to ensure that we aren’t left out.

Now, when I visit the doctor, I don’t have to be anxious about how to explain my symptoms—an interpreter is there to help!
When I apply for a new job, I know I can’t be rejected just because I’m Deaf.
Almost every public place I visit is now required to reasonably accommodate me.

Thanks to the ADA, the world is more accessible—and that’s a huge step toward equality. 🌟

How you can help

So, what can you do to help? Let’s work together to continue breaking down communication barriers!

Advocate for equal access by ensuring Deaf individuals have interpreters, captions, or other accommodations when they need them.
Share what you’ve learned about Deaf culture with others! 👭
Learn ASL to communicate with me. Download ASL Bloom now, and we can start signing right away 😁

Together, we can build a more accessible and inclusive world for everyone. 💙