Immerse Yourself in Deaf Culture: Explore Washington D.C.

Deaf communities tend to congregate in cities, as it makes it easier to socialize in their sign language and find accessible options. Deaf communities are made up of d/Deaf, hard of hearing, late deafened, and CODAs who are joined by the same shared language. 

Areas such as Martha’s Vineyard, Austin, TX, Los Angeles, CA, and Rochester, NY have the highest density of Deaf people living in one area.  One such place where you will find many Deaf people is Washington D.C. – home of Gallaudet University, the world’s largest Deaf university. 

Let’s dive in!

Caption your calls for free

Download Nagish

Dive into Culinary Exploration

Down a Pint at Veditz and Company

If you can take a day drive a short distance from D.C., an hour away, you will find Veditz Brewing, a Deaf-owned brewery. Named after George Veditz, who was a well-known Deaf educator, filmmaker, and activist who once served as the 7th President of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD). Veditz is also known for his efforts to preserve and nurture sign language, as he filmed himself signing ASL in 1913 in a film titled ‘Preservation of the Sign Language’.

Fun Fact 

It’s the only Deaf brewery in Virginia and one of only three in America. All wall art is from Deaf artists. Check their social media for “sip and sign” events! 

The Location 

7G River Lane, Sperryville, VA

Get Coffee at the Starbucks Signing Store

The very first and only ASL Starbucks chain store in America is located in the heart of D.C. and boasts employees who are all fluent in ASL. Stop by to order a coffee drink or pick up a specially designed Starbucks mug with Deaf designs!

Fun Fact

Only Deaf employees wear the fingerspelled Starbucks logo on their aprons. Hearing employees will wear “I Sign” pins on their standard aprons. Customers not ASL fluent can request drinks by writing on a digital board. 

The Location

625 H Street Washington, DC 20002

Visit Streetcar 82 Brewery

Also a short hop away from D.C. in Maryland, this Deaf-owned brewery offers a different experience in a former automobile repair shop. Its name comes from a vintage streetcar line that used to run through the heart of D.C. Open daily with various opening hours, see the Streetcar 82 website for up-to-date information. 

The Location

4824 Rhode Island Ave

Hyattsville, MD 20781

Order a Pizza at Mozzeria

Mozzeria is a Deaf owned and operated Pizzeria restaurant with locations in both D.C. and the Bay Area of California. They specialize in authentic wood-fired Neapolitan pizza. For dining in, call or make a reservation online at their website. 

Fun Fact

Nonsigning customers can use a provided list of gestures, pointing to the menu, or an ink-free doodle pad to write to show their order request. Additionally, Mozzeria believes that human communication is not just words. 

The Location

1300 H Street NE, Suite A

Washington D.C

Learn Deaf History at Museum Exhibits

National Deaf Life Museum

Located at Gallaudet University, this museum explores the history of Deaf culture, technology, and language. Open from 10 am - 4 pm, Monday through Friday. Check their social media for special events or closures. 

The Location

Chapel Hall, Gallaudet University 

800 Florida Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002

National Gallery of Art

This D.C. Art museum offers ASL-led tours for Deaf visitors. For more information, see their accessibility page. There are also exhibits with ASL and captioned video displays. Admission is always free. 

The Location

West building: 6th St and Constitution Ave NW

East building: 4th St and Constitution Ave NW

Smithsonian American Art Museum

This D.C. museum offers ASL-oriented events. Reservations are required and can be purchased on their website. Open from Monday to Sunday, from 11:30 am to 7 pm. 

The Location

8th and G Streets, NW

Washington, DC 20004

Celebrating Connections: Local Events 

Watch an Open Caption Movie

For captioned movie showtimes follow DC Open Captioned Movies on Facebook. Attending these captioned movie showtimes not only allows you to enjoy the latest movie releases but also provides an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow members of the Deaf community!

The Locations

AMC, Landmark, and Regal Theater chains

Tour Gallaudet University

A visit to D.C. would be lacking without a stop at the world’s largest Deaf university. This school is unique because inclusivity is centered; all programs and degrees are directly accessible for deaf and hard of hearing students in American Sign Language. 

All professors, staff, and students sign and communicate fluently without the need for external interpretation. This provides a seamless exchange of knowledge and ideas without any loss of information. Tours are held daily, several times a day. For more information see the Gallaudet website. 

The Location

Maguire Welcome Center

800 Florida Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002

Look for More Events on Eventbrite

For more up-to-date events, go to Eventbrite and search by “ASL” or “Deaf”, and filter the location by D.C. There are typically many options, locations, and things to do than we can mention here. 

Conclusion

We hope that this guide enriches your experience into the vibrant tapestry of Deaf culture within D.C. As you delve into the rich history and diverse experiences of the Deaf community during your time in Washington D.C., may you find inspiration, connection, and a deeper understanding of the d/Deaf experience. 

Whether you're enjoying a leisurely coffee, drinking beer, savoring a slice of Mozzeria pizza, exploring captivating museums, visiting Gallaudet University, or seeing a great captioned film, we know you’ll leave D.C. with lifelong memories to cherish.