THE OKLAHOMA EXPERIENCE

An Entertainment, Cultural Educational Theme Park

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Oklahoma Landscape

A STROLL DOWN DEAF CULTURE

Tree of Life Entertainment Solutions Group (TOLESG) is committed to bringing about inclusion within the Deaf Community. Because we are creating a television channel for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, we want them to feel a part of the project in every way. This means their voices matter and opening a door for Deaf Talent and Creators. We also want to create a space and place where the Deaf and Hard of Hearing can build the type of lifestyle and community that is so rare for them. Deaf individuals are one of the most isolated cultures in most US states, we want to change that in Oklahoma. Just right down the road is the Oklahoma School for the Deaf so which gives us access to Deaf Students to open doors for other career options.

The Deaf Community is also one of the most misunderstood cultures and part of our social innovative plans is to give the world a sneak peek into their lifestyle, their cultural practices, and that they are not deaf or dumb, they are not handicapped or disabled. They are just like the rest of us, except their language is different from ours.

The Deaf Cultural Experience will be designed and developed by Deaf People using their creativity on creating an experience like none other. Also, we will have an opportunity to learn more about their future.

A Peek into the

FACTS ABOUT THE DEAF COMMUNITY

The Deaf community is just that, a community. Deaf people have, of course, their own language in American Sign Language (ASL). They have their own cultural norms and customs. They also have their own unique set of challenges and obstacles. The more you know about the Deaf Community, the better you can understand, welcome, and embrace the Deaf.

SOME USEFUL VOCABULARY October 11, 2017 FACTS ABOUT THE DEAF COMMUNITY HIRE AN INTERPRETER (HIRE-AN -INTERPRETER)

Deaf (with a capital “D”) - Identifies as culturally Deaf. People who have a hearing loss communicate using sign language and are involved in the Deaf community.
Deaf (lowercase “d”) - Medical term for hearing loss.
Hard of Hearing (“hoh”) - Varies depending on the culture. In general, a person with hearing loss is not severe.
Hearing - anyone who is not deaf or hard-of-hearing; people who can hear well.
Deaf culture - a culture connected by multiple traits such as sign language, deafness, traditions, and shared values.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS:

90% of all deaf people are born to hearing parents, most of them with no experience in deafness.
2-3 out of every 1,000 children in the United States are born with a detectable level of hearing loss in one or both ears.
Deaf individuals are five times more likely to be abused than their hearing peers.
Of the 10 million Deaf/HOH people in America
2.8 million identify as LGBTQ.

IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE (ASL)

Deaf people who use ASL as their primary language are the largest unreached linguistic-cultural people group in North America.
Although ASL is currently the sixth most-used language in the U.S., not everyone can articulate the gospel in ASL, is saved, or feels led to minister to this population. ASL is not simply a signed version of English and is referred to as “interpreted” and not “translated." ASL has its own vocabulary, grammar, and syntax. And— just like spoken language— there are even regional dialects!
The Deaf community does not always see their deafness as a disability but rather as a different way to navigate the world.

Sign Language

Sign language is the fourth most popular language in the world.
Sign language varies from country to country. Most countries have their own sign language or share certain sign language but with a different dialect.
In the American Sign Language (ASL), the alphabet can be demonstrated using one hand. However, in German and British Sign Languages, two hands are used.

In the 19th century, people living on Martha's Vineyard were as likely to be deaf as hearing. There were so many deaf people on the Vineyard, especially in the town of Chilmark, that residents developed a sign language called Martha's Vineyard Sign Language or Chilmark Sign Language. People moving to Chilmark had to learn sign language in order to live in the community.