Deaf Awareness Month

Why Deaf Awareness Month Matters

Every September, Deaf Awareness Month is an opportunity to recognize the experiences, language, and culture of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. For the Orthodox Christian Deaf Association (OCDA), it is also a time to ask an important question:

What does it look like for someone who is Deaf to fully participate in the life of the Orthodox Church?

Founded in April 2020 with the blessing of Archbishop Alexander (Golitzin) of the Diocese of the South (OCA), OCDA exists to connect Orthodox Deaf Christians across jurisdictions and help them find fellowship, support, and meaningful access to the life of the Church.

As a pan-Orthodox, independent 501(c)(3) organization, our mission reaches beyond any one parish or jurisdiction. We serve the wider Deaf Orthodox community through accessible resources, education, fellowship, and outreach.

Our work includes developing ASL and captioned resources, supporting interpreters, creating educational opportunities, and walking alongside Deaf individuals and families. We believe Deaf Orthodox Christians should not have to experience their faith from the sidelines or depend on occasional access.

Access to the Church should be dependable — not occasional.

The Need

Millions of people live with hearing loss, yet meaningful access to worship and religious education in a person's own language remains limited. For many Deaf Christians, access to their faith can depend on whether an interpreter is available, whether a video has accurate captions, or whether resources exist in a language they fully understand.

OCDA is working to help change that within the Orthodox Christian community.

Give • Share • Pray

This Deaf Awareness Month, you can stand with the Deaf Orthodox community in three simple ways:

GIVE — Your support helps us develop accessible resources, support interpreters, provide educational opportunities, and create ways for Deaf Orthodox Christians to learn, worship, and grow together.

SHARE — Help spread awareness by sharing OCDA's mission with your parish, family, friends, and social media community. Many people have never considered what participating in the Divine Liturgy or learning about the faith can look like for someone who is Deaf.

PRAY — Please keep Deaf Orthodox Christians, their families, interpreters, clergy, and volunteers in your prayers.

The work doesn't end in September.

Deaf Awareness Month may last one month, but the mission continues throughout the year. Together, we can help create an Orthodox Church where Deaf Christians are not simply present, but fully seen, welcomed, supported, and connected.

Thank you!

Orthodox Christian Deaf Association
orthodoxdeaf@gmail.com