Sign language isn’t universal — not even close. From homemade gestures in families to a signing town on Martha’s Vineyard, visual languages evolved with flair. American Sign Language was born from French roots and local signs, survived an oppressive ban, and now thrives as a vibrant, cultural and linguistic powerhouse.
Blog
Slang You Can’t Hear: ASL’s Secret Sauce
ASL has its own slang—vibrant, expressive, and deeply cultural. Terms like PAH!, Tru-Biz, and Train Gone go beyond words, capturing emotion, humor, and identity. These phrases foster connection, reflect community pride, and prove ASL is more than language—it’s culture, creativity, and belonging, all wrapped up in one expressive package.
Deaf-Led Learning at the Lounge
Learning ASL in Real Time: At the Voices Off Lounge, things are done a little differently. The ASL classes aren’t traditional, and that’s exactly the point. Rather than conventional classrooms with desk rows and lecture-style learning, we offer a space built for connection, expression, and cultural immersion. The classes are […]
Voices Off Lounge
Voices Off Lounge, for for? The Voices Off Lounge is a Deaf-led space where voices are off and alternative communication is encouraged. It’s a welcoming and safer environment for the Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, and hearing communities to connect, learn, and celebrate ASL and Deaf culture. Success for the Voices Off […]
Why Deaf People May Chose Not To Wear Hearing Aids
Hearing aids can be life-changing for some, offering a bridge to the world of sound. But for many Deaf individuals, the decision not to wear them is personal and deeply rooted in identity and experiences. Embracing Deaf Identity Being Deaf is more than just an inability to hear; it’s a […]
Donations may be allocated to support Certified Deaf Interpreters, DeafBlind interpreters and support, ASL interpreters from marginalized communities, as well as fund requests for event access for Black Lives Matter (BLM) and various marginalized community events.