Washington, DC

Bowser Administration to Celebrate Deaf History Month

Monday, March 31, 2025

District to Honor the Culture, Achievements, and Advocacy of the Deaf Community

(Washington, DC) – This April, the Bowser Administration and the Mayor’s Office of Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing (MODDHH) invite residents to join in celebrating Deaf History Month. This month, which is celebrated annually from April 1 through April 30, is an opportunity to recognize the cultural heritage, achievements, and advocacy of the Deaf, DeafBlind, Deaf Disabled, Hard of Hearing, and Late Deafened (D/DB/DD/HH/LD) communities while reinforcing the importance of genuine inclusion and communications accessibility. 

“Deaf History Month is a time to celebrate the powerful contributions of the D/DB/DD/HH/LD communities and reflect on how we can foster greater inclusion,” said Kari Cooke, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing. “Everyone has a role in making DC the most accessible and inclusive city in the world, where communication access is not just a consideration, but an expectation.” 

Throughout April, MODDHH will host events and initiatives that celebrate our unique cultures, highlight the importance of accessible communication, and showcase how collaboration across sectors creates a more inclusive city. From increasing visibility of D/DB/DD/HH/LD leaders to promoting accessible services, these activities will demonstrate the collective impact of prioritizing accessibility for all. 

As part of the Deaf History Month celebrations, the DC Streetcar will unveil a special "Accessibility for Everyone" decal. This visual statement reinforces the importance of inclusive spaces and raises awareness about accessibility for all. We encourage residents and visitors that ride the DC Streetcar to check out the decal and share their experience using #AccessibilityForEveryone. This month’s major events are listed below.

Residents are invited to attend the following events to celebrate Deaf History Month:

Healthy Living for Ward 8 Signing Seniors

When: Wednesday, April 2 at 1 pm
Where: Martha’s Table, 2375 Elvans Road SE
Register here: tinyurl.com/DHMSeniors

DeafBlind Legacy Week: Securing Accessibility For Emergencies (SAFE)

When: Wednesday, April 23 at 10 am
Where: Gallaudet University Multipurpose Room, 800 Florida Avenue NE
Register here: tinyurl.com/DHMDBLegacy

Open Movie Captioning Screening

When: Thursday, April 24 at 6 pm
Where: Regal Gallery Place Chinatown, 701 7th Street NW
Register here: tinyurl.com/MODDHHDHMKickoff

MODDHH Jubilee: Fostering Resources for Accessible and Multimodal Education

When: Wednesday, April 30 at 6 pm
Where: MODDHH Office, 899 North Capitol Street NE
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/DHMJubilee

Residents are encouraged to participate, learn more about our communities and cultures, and commit to building a more inclusive future. To stay informed about Deaf History Month events and resources, visit MODDHH's website and follow @DCMODDHH on social media. 

Mayor Bowser X: @MayorBowser
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