Did you know that American Sign Language has regional dialects and slang just like American English? How about the fact that Deaf individuals often use “name signs” for one another? Name signs work like nicknames so people don’t have to fingerspell their full name all the time.

Now, did you know that there’s a difference between the word “deaf” with a lowercase d and “Deaf” with a capital D? Lowercase d deaf is used as a general and medical term, whereas Deaf with a capital D is a social and cultural identity. Deaf History Month (running from March 13 – April 15) celebrates the achievements and differences of d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. Deaf History Month was first introduced by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) in 1996, and in 2006 NAD worked with the American Library Association to encourage government institutions, elected officials, and local libraries to celebrate this month.

Why not use this time of recognition to learn more about Deaf History and culture from some of the eBooks and e-materials below? To learn more about Deaf History Month itself, check out the National Association of the Deaf’s website.

Interested in learning ASL? With your library card, you can access Mango Languages online for free!

Title details for Deaf Gain by H-Dirksen L. Bauman - Available

Deaf Gain: Raising the Stakes for Human Diversity

by H-Dirksen L. Bauman and Joseph J. Murray

Adult Non-Fiction

Title details for El Deafo by Cece Bell - Available

El Deafo

by Cece Bell

Juvenile Graphic Memoir

Title details for A River of Hands by Symara Bonner - Available

River of Hands: Deaf Heritage Stories

by Symara Bonner and Jason Brace

Juvenile Fiction

The Smart Princess

The Smart Princess and Other Deaf Tales

by The Canadian Cultural Society for the Deaf

Juvenile Fiction

Title details for You're Welcome, Universe by Whitney Gardner - Available

You’re Welcome, Universe

by Whitney Gardner

Young Adult Fiction

Writing Deafness

Writing Deafness

by Christopher Krentz

Adult Non-Fiction

Title details for Understanding Deaf Culture by Dr. Paddy Ladd - Available

Understanding Deaf Culture

by Dr. Paddy Ladd

Adult Non-Fiction

Title details for The Deaf Community in America by Melvia M. Nomeland - Available

The Deaf Community in America: History in the Making

by Melvia M. Nomeland and Ronald E. Nomeland

Adult Non-Fiction

Deaf in a City of Music

Deaf In A City Of Music

by Poppy O’Guin Steele

Adult Biography

Title details for Deaf in DC by Madan Vasishta - Available

Deaf in DC

by Madan Vasishta

Adult Biography