Lanterman Regional Center continues to showcase vital resources that promote true inclusion, understanding and equal access for our diverse communities. As part of our 60 Highlights for 60 Years, we’re spotlighting American Sign Language (ASL) and the rich culture that surrounds it.
Have you ever sat at a crowded dinner table, surrounded by people, but felt completely invisible?
For many in the Deaf community, this is a bittersweet reality known as “Dinner Table Syndrome.” It happens when fast, overlapping spoken conversations unintentionally leave Deaf individuals completely isolated from their own families and peers.
True connection starts with understanding that ASL is its own distinct natural language. It isn’t just English translated onto hands; it thrives on its own unique grammatical structures, facial expressions, syntax and deep comprehension rules. Bridging the communication gap is easier than ever if we all pitch in. For quick, everyday interactions in public spaces, using tools like the BIG app is a game-changer for seamless communication. And for formal, structural accessibility, organizations like the Regional Center work hard to provide certified ASL interpreters to guarantee equal access.
Because true inclusion is a multigenerational family affair, our support wraps around entire families. This includes CODAs (Children of Deaf Adults), SODAs (Siblings of Deaf Adults), and GODAs (Grandparents of Deaf Adults). This vibrant culture carries a long, proud legacy of resilience and linguistic identity tracing all the way back to the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut, the country’s very first Deaf school.
To ensure no one is left unheard, regional centers, including Lanterman Regional Center, feature dedicated Deaf Accessibility Specialists who work closely with the Deaf Access Specialist at the Department of Developmental Services to improve communication access for people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
To further break down these barriers, Lanterman partners with vital community organizations like the Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness (GLAD), which advocates for equal access, leadership and independence for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals across the region. Building on this mission of empowerment, Lanterman hosts an ongoing ASL training series designed to equip families and community members with essential communication skills. The most recent series kicked off earlier this month, reinforcing our commitment to making bilingual, accessible communication a standard in everyday life. Be sure to stay tuned for more ASL series scheduled throughout 2026–2027!
Lastly, Lanterman annually participates in the Deaf Latino Expo. In addition to celebrating our own milestones, we want to recognize our community partners at Deaf Latinos y Familias Organization as they celebrate their 16-year anniversary. We are proud to participate in their rescheduled 5th Annual Deaf Latino Expo, which will now be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Plaza de La Raza. Come, meet the Lanterman team as well as enjoy live music, dance performances and much more.
Let’s do our part to make our communities, homes and public spaces accessible to everyone.
For more information, explore official statewide resources directly on the DDS website.