National ASL Day

Categories:: Special Interest
Tags:: Appreciation Awareness Educational
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every April 15
Holiday emoji:: 🤟

National ASL Day champions American Sign Language every April 15. This day honors the rich culture and communication of the Deaf community. Learn a new sign, support ASL education, and advocate for greater accessibility.

Deals
Platforms
Social
Hero
History
Timeline
Businesses
FAQs
Importance
Celebrate

Expected National ASL Day Deals

On National ASL Day, the focus shifts from commercial deals to promoting awareness and supporting the Deaf community. Organizations like the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and Gallaudet University often host virtual events, workshops, and fundraising drives to support ASL education and advocacy. Publishers like Gallaudet University Press may offer discounts on ASL learning materials. Tech companies such as Google or Apple might highlight accessibility features or ASL-friendly apps. Retailers like Amazon could feature books and resources on Deaf culture. We will update this page with confirmed live events and awareness campaigns as April 15 approaches.

Platform Guide for National ASL Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalASLDay. Share videos of yourself learning or using ASL, or highlight Deaf creators.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #NationalASLDay. Share facts about ASL, advocate for accessibility, and retweet Deaf community voices.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalASLDay. Share educational resources, event links, and personal stories about the impact of ASL.

National ASL Day Hero

Laurent Clerc

Born in 1785 in La Balme-les-Grottes, France, Laurent Clerc was a deaf educator who, alongside Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, co-founded the first permanent school for the deaf in North America. Known as 'The Apostle of the Deaf in America,' his contributions were instrumental in developing American Sign Language by blending French Sign Language with local sign systems, establishing a foundation for deaf education in the United States.

History of National ASL Day

The history of American Sign Language is over 200 years old. In the year 1815, a school for the deaf was established hoping to create an accessible language for those who cannot hear or speak. However, it was a rudimentary language at that point. Sign language emerged as a combination of several sign languages (that are still in use today), such as Native American Sign Language, French Sign Language, and Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language. With the help of these pre-existing sign languages, American Sign Language (A.S.L.) was born.

Since the time American Sign Language was created, it has been enthusiastically accepted throughout the world. Today, American Sign Language is used in Canada, all across America, and has even found its way to countries in Central Africa, West Africa, and Southeast Asia. Given its origin and its many commonalities with French Sign Language, sign language was also accepted in French colonies.

Thanks to A.S.L., people are now able to communicate with each other without feeling “hopeless” or “useless” like others did before its emergence. American Sign Language has become a tool of communication for even those with various speech impairments. While American Sign Language is used as the official sign language of news broadcasts, the language is also being taught as a subject/module in many educational institutes around the world! If we all learn even a few words of American Sign Language, the world will become more accessible and inclusive in terms of speech and language.

National ASL Day timeline

1816

A School for The Deaf

Thomas Gallaudet sets up the first school for Deaf children in the U.S.

1880

International Congress on Education of the Deaf

It is decided that students should receive oral education instead of sign language education.

1924

Deaflympics

Deaf athletes can take part in sporting events on an international level.

1995

Heather Whitestone

She becomes the first Deaf woman to be crowned Miss America.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National ASL Day

Local businesses can honor National ASL Day by promoting inclusivity and accessibility. Restaurants might train staff in basic ASL phrases or offer menus with ASL translations. Retailers could host free ASL workshops or partner with local Deaf organizations for awareness events. Tech companies can highlight accessibility features in their products or sponsor ASL interpretation services for community gatherings. Consider donating a portion of sales to an ASL education fund or a Deaf advocacy group, and use #NationalASLDay to amplify your efforts.

National ASL Day FAQs

When is National ASL Day?

In 2027, National ASL Day will be observed on Thursday, April 15, providing another opportunity to recognize the importance of ASL.

How many people use American Sign Language?

The number of ASL users in the US continues to grow, with a significant portion being hearing individuals who learn ASL to communicate with deaf loved ones or for professional reasons.

Is American Sign Language a real language?

ASL is a rich and expressive language, capable of conveying complex ideas and emotions just like any spoken language. It is not merely a system of gestures or a signed version of English.

Is ASL universal?

While ASL is widely used in the United States and parts of Canada, it differs significantly from other national sign languages. This highlights the cultural diversity within the global Deaf community.

National ASL Day Activities

Learn the language
Celebrate National ASL Day by learning American Sign Language. You can join a language class or learn the language online. Do your bit of making language inclusive and accessible.
Set a challenge
Challenge your friends and family to learn at least 10 words in American Sign Language. On National ASL Day, each of you can mime the words and ask the others to guess — sort of like charades! The challenge can be a fun way to learn the language.
Spread the word
Talk about National ASL Day on your social media accounts. Spread the word about American Sign Language and encourage your online friends to learn the language too. You can also post a video of you using sign language to send a message to your followers!

5 Facts About Sign Language That Will Blow Your Mind

It is widely used
Around 70 million people use some version of sign language.
There is grammar in sign language too
They are usually indicated by the movement of eyebrows.
There are different versions of it
Some sign languages incorporate local dialects as well.
They are not very difficult to learn
With proper guidance, a person can pick up sign language rather quickly.
Fourth-most spoken language in the U.K.
More than 1,25,000 people in the U.K. use sign language.

Why We Love National ASL Day

It celebrates inclusivity
National ASL Day celebrates American Sign Language, which has truly made language inclusive and accessible to people with speech and hearing impairments. The language is responsible for making communication easier.
It makes us considerate
National ASL Day is celebrated by encouraging people to learn and communicate in American Sign Language. This act of empathy makes us considerate towards the impairments and needs of others.
It celebrates achievements of the community
National ASL Day is also a celebration of the many spectacular achievements of the deaf and mute community. On National ASL Day, we honor every pioneer whose inventions have made life easier for the differently-abled.