National Deaf Awareness Week is annually observed throughout the last full week of September. Join the celebration by taking time to learn how Deaf students serve the entire community. Teaching about deafness, lobbying elected officials, creating a Successful Deaf Leaders Wall of Fame, and supporting local organizations for the Deaf are ways that Deaf students can contribute to the community at large. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Deaf Leaders Wall of Fame Learn how high schoolers have started an ever-growing Successful Deaf Leaders Wall of Fame. Check out how students can start their own wall of Successful Deaf Leaders.

ABC's of ASL Create an instructional computer slide show that teaches the alphabet or numbers in English and American Sign Language. Present it to families and non-deaf students and teachers.

Deaf Community Online Research and build a list of web sites about the Deaf Community. Share it with parents, teachers, classmates, local librarians, and other interested friends.

Read 'n Sign Make an ASL videotape of students signing fairy tales and/or publish a Big Book with illustrations of the ABCs or numbers in sign language and English. Donate them to a family center or a local community service agency for the Deaf.

Sign for Seniors Visit a senior citizens center. Demonstrate signing. Offer to hold signing sessions for seniors with Deaf or Hard of Hearing challenges.

Research Deaf-Related Legislature Identify government agencies and laws that impact the Deaf community. See how a Social Studies class lobbied elected officials and interviewed Successful Deaf Leaders in Government.