Yehoshua Soudakoff, the only Deaf Rabbi in Israel and one of only four certified Deaf Rabbis worldwide delivered a powerful message at the International Conference of Shluchim in Edison, New Jersey, on Sunday, December 1st. The conference is an annual event hosted by Chabad, an international Orthodox Jewish organization. Signing in American Sign Language (ASL) with an interpreter, to a crowd of thousands of hearing Rabbis, Soudakoff shared his experience as a Deaf person within the Jewish community. He spoke about his personal experience of always feeling welcome at Chabad, the challenges many Jewish Deaf individuals face in finding their place in Jewish spaces, and pointed out the importance of accessibility and belonging for everyone, regardless of ability. His message, “Let’s continue our sacred work to reach every single one of them and inspire them, just as I was once inspired,” moved the audience, earning him a standing ovation. 

Okan Seese is Germany's only Deaf comedian who performs not just for a Deaf audience, but also for hearing people. In his new solo show "Lieber taub als gar kein Vogel" - Better Deaf Than No Bird at All, he surprises the audience with an innovative concept. Instead of the interpreter being paid per hour, the interpreter is paid per laugh. Seese’s humor explores everyday questions and misconceptions about life as a Deaf person. Can a Deaf person enjoy music? How do they drive a car? How do they make emergency calls? Seese humorously challenges these ideas, demonstrating that life as a Deaf person is more interesting than most people might assume.

In Kojetin, Czech Republic, a team of six Deaf employees at the Amazon distribution center have started work as part of a broader initiative to create inclusive workplaces across Central and Eastern Europe. These employees joined Amazon in October 2024 and are involved in packing and shipping orders. Amazon has been offering opportunities to people with deafness for many years, with similar groups working in two Polish distribution centers, as well as in Slovakia and Dobrovíz, Czech Republic, where a team of Deaf people has been active for eight years. 

The first Deaf president of the state Legislature, Sharon Montserrat Díaz García, stated that some of her fellow deputies have been supporting her so that she can do her job better, since they understand that, being part of the Deaf community, “it is complicated to have me as a companion.” In a brief interview, Sharon Montserrat Díaz, who assumed duties as president of the Sixty-First Legislature, thanked the support she has received from the legislators for being able to do a good job. I know that the hearing disability sector is large, and I want there to be more benefits and opportunities for improvement for them. However, I know that commitment and effort are necessary to do it well and move forward,” she said. One of the initiatives that it will promote will be the promotion of Mexican Sign Language to support the Deaf community. “We know it is a complicated challenge, but we need to strive for a better future for the Deaf community,” she added. 

Quebec will convert the former Plateau-Mont-Royal Institute for the Deaf into housing. After sitting empty for almost a decade, the province is set to convert the former Plateau-Mont-Royal Institute for the Deaf into housing. The Quebec government, which owns the building, is working closely with the city of Montreal on the project. "In recent weeks and months, we have perceived an openness to discuss and find a solution and discuss together a common proposal to test the market," declared the mayor of Plateau-Mont-Royal, Luc Rabouin.