Sign Language Users Overlooked by the Church

Sign language is the fifth-largest minority language in the United States, but those who use it are often overlooked by the church.

In the United States alone, as many as 2 million deaf individuals are unable to listen to church sermons or speak with members of their congregation.

The Evangelical Free Church of America reports that "about 20 percent of Americans have some level of hearing loss," according to Dr. Marguerite Dartt, an Arizona-based audiologist.

"Deaf individuals have such severe hearing loss that they cannot be helped with hearing aids or cochlear implants, and they communicate through American Sign Language (ASL)," she said.

Because of this language barrier, many of the deaf are unable to participate in the church. Another reason is oftentimes churches don't always know how to incorporate deaf ministries into the church body, or don't have the means and resources to do so.

The EFCA is working to change that and give other churches help and ideas for implementing ways to reach the deaf. They have three approaches that churches can adopt. Keep reading