The Technology Access Program at Gallaudet University received a $4.625 million federal research grant to improve accessibility for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people through advanced technology. The grant came from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), and will be used to fund a five-year project led by Christian Vogler and Abraham Glasser who are the co-directors of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Technology Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (DHH-RERC). The center focuses on developing new technologies, including immersive technology and artificial intelligence (AI), that meet the specific needs of Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals– areas that mainstream tech companies often overlook.

A new project in the United Kingdom allows Deaf people to watch films with subtitles a day before their general release. This initiative was launched by Paramount Pictures UK and is aimed at making movies more accessible to the Deaf community since subtitled screenings are currently often scheduled at inconvenient times or weeks/months after initial release. The first film to be screened as a part of this project is the Transformers One, which was displayed on October 10. Other new films like Gladiator II and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will follow. Rebecca Mansell, chief executive of the British Deaf Association, praised the project for allowing the Deaf community to be “the first” to watch films.

Ireland’s first national festival celebrating the culture and identity of children of Deaf adults (CODA) took place in Cork on October 4th - 5th. The CODA Croí Festival was organized by CODA UK and Ireland, with support from University College Cork, and featured workshops, presentations, and performances that spotlighted the unique experiences of CODAs. The two-day event aimed to bring together CODA artists, storytellers, performers, and families to celebrate their heritage and community. 

One of the members of Maine's Deaf community who was killed in the Lewiston mass shooting, Joshua A. Seal, will be honored posthumously during the Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Late Deaf's annual awards ceremony on Thursday. Seal, who became known as an American Sign Language interpreter during the state's COVID-19 briefings, will receive the Clifton F. Rodgers Lifetime Achievement Award during the 33rd such ceremony at the State House in Augusta. Seal, a strong advocate for the Deaf community, was one of 18 people killed in Maine's deadliest mass shooting last fall, which also took the lives of three other members of the state's Deaf community. Governor Janet Mills also issued a proclamation designating the week of September 22-28 as Deaf Culture Week. “The Deaf community has its own language, culture, history, and traditions that have shaped our state for generations,” Mills wrote in a statement. “During Deaf Culture Week and every week, the many contributions of deaf people to the state of Maine should be celebrated.” Six other people will also be presented with awards on Thursday for their contributions to Deaf culture in Maine. 

Seismic Alert for the Deaf: Does it exist for earthquakes in Mexico? On September 19, in Mexico the earthquakes of 1985 and 2017 are commemorated; so I will explain the Seismic Alert for Deaf people in Mexico. In Mexico, there is a commemoration of the devastating earthquakes that occurred in 1985 and 2017, which captured the unity of Mexicans facing adversity. Seismic alerts are systems designed to provide warnings about the occurrence of an earthquake, allowing people to take preventive measures before seismic waves reach their location. In countries such as Taiwan and other Asian nations, specific methods have been implemented to alert the hearing impaired. In Taiwan, lights flash during an earthquake in buildings and public spaces. This allows Deaf people to see the warning signal and act accordingly. Wearable devices that emit vibrations have been developed to alert users of an impending earthquake. These devices can be placed on the bed or carried in the pocket, ensuring that the person is alerted even while sleeping. There are applications designed to send seismic alert notifications to mobile phones. These applications can include visual cues and vibrations, ensuring that users receive critical information. Educational programs in schools and communities educate Deaf people about how to protect themselves during an earthquake and how to interpret visual and tactile alerts. In Mexico, although there is a Mexican Seismic Alert System (SASMEX), there is currently no specific system designed to alert Deaf people. However, some local initiatives have begun to explore inclusive methods, such as the use of flashing lights in schools and public buildings.