Week 2  The First Layer: Access   Once the thin skin of visibility is set aside, the first true layer we reach is access . For many people outside the Deaf community, this is where the conversation begins and often, where it ends. Access is what they see on the surface: captions glowing across the bottom of a screen, an interpreter standing beside a speaker, hearing aids or cochlear implants presented as “solutions,” or technology marketed as a bridge to the hearing world. Th

Greetings to everyone, Happy Friendsgiving from the entire OUL team! We want to extend our warmest wishes to you and yours during this festive season. It's hard to believe how quickly time has flown by—we're already approaching the end of another remarkable year. We hope you enjoy a delicious meal surrounded by your beloved family and friends during this special time of gratitude, reflection, and togetherness. From all of us! THE OUL TEAM!

Week 1 The Surface Layer: Visibility The surface is where most people begin. It’s where curiosity first meets awareness. You notice what’s easiest to see: someone signing across a room, someone reading captions at the bottom of a screen, someone using their eyes, hands, and expressions to navigate a conversation. That first impression matters, it’s an entry point, a doorway into a different way of being. But like the paper-thin skin of an onion, it’s only the beginning. It is

Prologue: Why an Onion? Why an onion? Because an onion holds its truth in layers. At first glance, it seems ordinary: smooth, pale, and wrapped in papery skin. You can hold it in your hand and think you already know it. But once you begin to peel it back, something happens. The air sharpens. The scent grows stronger. One layer gives way to another, each thin but distinct, each essential to the whole. The deeper you go, the more your eyes water, and you realize that understand

Dear OUL Community, Welcome to the November OUL Bulletin! We hope you're enjoying your Thanksgiving holiday with wonderful food, family, and friends. We have exciting news to share: Lavosi has updates, and we're thrilled to welcome a new Content Writer to our team. Check out this month's bulletin for more details. I welcome your feedback and suggestions at oulorg22@gmail.com . You'll receive this bulletin monthly via email, and you can visit our website anytime. We're expandi

The Organization of Unique Learners welcomes Bret Cummens, M.Ed., as a new Content Writer. With his educational background and understanding of Deaf individuals' challenges, Bret will impact through his writing. Subscribers can expect insightful posts every Saturday on Deaf culture and experiences, featuring storytelling, educational lessons, and inspiration. His content will include personal anecdotes, historical perspectives, and contemporary issues, fostering appreciation

Happy Halloween! We hope you're having a truly fantastic and wonderful day filled with fun and celebration. We're excited to announce that some upcoming changes are coming to our website in the near future. The updates will begin to roll out in November, with new features and improvements being added on a regular basis throughout the month. We'd love to hear any suggestions or feedback you might have at any time. Please feel free to reach out and email us at oulorg22@gmail.co

Introducing " Interpreting with a Deaf Heart " at Scarlett's Park , College of Health and Human Services at Fresno State Scarlett's Park is excited to announce the launch of an innovative new session titled "Interpreting with a Deaf Heart," scheduled to take place on February 21, 2026. This session is designed to deepen the understanding of interpreting within the Deaf community, focusing on the emotional and cultural nuances that are essential for effective communication.

Hello everyone, I would like to take this opportunity to share my thoughts and reflections about the presentations that took place last month. On September 19, 2025, I had the privilege of joining a Zoom meeting that was focused on the important topic of " Autism in Deaf Education. " The presentations were absolutely wonderful, and I found that I learned something valuable and meaningful from each and every one of them. Scarlett's Park in the Silent Garden at Fresno State is

OUL Community, Welcome to the OCTOBER OUL Bulletin! This October bulletin features articles from community news, schools, and other...

Disclaimer:  We are not scientists or researchers, and this article simply collects and presents information available at the time of...

Disclaimer:  We are not scientists or researchers, and this article presents information collected and available at the time of writing....

American Sign Language (ASL) is at the heart of Deaf culture and identity in the United States. ASL is much more than just a way to...

People often misunderstand deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. These misunderstandings can make social interactions awkward and create...

Deaf Awareness Month  celebrates Deaf culture , sign language , and the achievements of Deaf Americans. It honors a Deaf identity  and...

We want to remind you that presentations on "Autism in Deaf Education" are coming soon! Each year, Fresno State's Scarlett's Park in the...

Deaf awareness helps create a society where everyone is included and respected. When we understand different ways people communicate, we...

OUL Community, Welcome to the September OUL Bulletin! This September bulletin features articles from community news, schools, and other...

Hi everyone, We want to leave you a note to say we wish you the best of luck with school this year. The first day can be nerve-wracking...

Hi Community, Friends of Lavosi has recently shared several new updates and announcements. I regularly follow their news through their...