Deaf Awareness Month: 

September is National Deaf Awareness Month, when extra efforts are made to increase awareness of Deaf issues, individuals, and culture. First celebrated in 1958 as the International Day of the Deaf, it soon expanded to the International Week of the Deaf to commemorate the first World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf, which took place in Rome in September, 1951. Eventually, the week was expanded to include the whole month. 

Here are some definitions of "Deaf" and "Hard of Hearing," along with cultural implications:

• Deaf = profound hearing loss. Usually considers themselves a member of the Deaf culture.
• Hard of Hearing = mild to severe hearing loss. May consider themselves a member of the Deaf culture or may not identify as culturally deaf.

• Follow the person's cues to find out if they prefer sign language, gesturing, writing, speaking, or another method of communication.
• Always face the person and speak clearly, without exaggerating your enunciation.
• Even the most accomplished lip-readers only get about 30% of what is being said; lip-reading is not effective for someone who is completely Deaf.
• There is no need to shout. Shouting will not help a person who is Deaf to hear better.
• How to get a Deaf person's attention?
  • Lightly tap their shoulder
  • Wave your hands in their peripheral vision
  • Bang on the table or floor (so the vibrations can be felt, but not so you disrupt their materials)
  • Flash the lights
• When using an interpreter, whether American Sign Language (ASL) or Signed Exact English (SEE),
  • Maintain eye contact with the person who is Deaf
  • Address the person, not the interpreter
  • Communicate the same way you would if there were not an interpreter
• It is rude to watch Deaf people signing. It's very similar to eavesdropping, except you are staring directly at the people having a  conversation.