ASL Basics
Deaf History
Culture & Identity
Technology & Access
Myths & Facts
100
What does ASL stand for?
100
In what century was the first school for the deaf established in the U.S.?
19th century (1817)
100
What does the capital "D" in "Deaf" signify?
Cultural identity (vs. lowercase "d" for the medical condition)
100
What is a TTY used for?
Text-based phone communication for the Deaf
200
True or False: ASL uses the same grammar as spoken English.
False (ASL has its own grammar and syntax)
200
Who co-founded the American School for the Deaf?
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet
200
What is a common way Deaf people get someone’s attention?
Waving, tapping shoulder, or flashing lights
200
What does closed captioning provide on TV or videos?
Text of spoken dialogue and sound descriptions
200
Myth: Deaf people can’t drive. What’s the fact?
Deaf people can and do drive legally.
300
What handshape is used to sign the letter "ZZ"?
300
What event in 1988 was a major victory for Deaf advocacy at Gallaudet University?
Deaf President Now movement
300
Why might a Deaf person prefer not to use the term "hearing impaired"?
It focuses on disability rather than cultural identity
300
What modern device has largely replaced the TTY?
Video Relay Service (VRS) or smartphones
300
True or False: Sign language is universal.
False (there are many different sign languages worldwide)
400
What is fingerspelling used for in ASL?
To spell out names, places, or words without specific signs
400
What was the name of the French educator who influenced ASL development?
Laurent Clerc
400
What is a "CODA"?
Child of Deaf Adults (hearing child of Deaf parents)
400
What law mandates accessibility for Deaf individuals in the U.S.?
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
400
Myth: Deaf people live in silence. What’s the fact?
Many experience sound through vibrations or residual hearing
500
Name one key difference between ASL and British Sign Language (BSL).
They use different alphabets and signs (not mutually intelligible)
500
What 1880 conference pushed for oralism over sign language in deaf education?
Milan Conference
500
How do Deaf people view cochlear implants in terms of culture?
Mixed views—some see it as a personal choice, others as a threat to Deaf identity
500
What is a "vibrating alarm clock" used for in Deaf households?
Waking up via vibration instead of sound
500
True or False: Deaf culture only exists in the United States.
False (Deaf communities and cultures exist globally)