User:Lizzah12/sandbox

Deaf Ecosystem
Draft:

The Deaf Ecosystem is an investment approach that aims to increase the socio-economic power within the Deaf Community. When the community invests in the businesses, organizations, and institutions that are Deaf-owned, the money then flows back to the community. The term was coined by Kelby Brick who serves as Director (July 2015 – Present) at The Governor’s Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the state of Maryland [1]. This approach stems from the history of marginalization and job discrimination for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals. The unemployment rate

Deaf people resort to entrepreneurship and hiring Deaf and hard of hearing employees.

References:

[1] https://odhh.maryland.gov/deaf-ecosystem/

We could put down the total # and % of deaf/hoh people in the U.S., and the # and % of unemployed deaf/hoh people? Perhaps we could look at these to see if they have good info: https://www.gallaudet.edu/office-of-international-affairs/research-support/research-resources/demographics/deaf-employment-reports

https://www.nationaldeafcenter.org/sites/default/files/Deaf%20Employment%20Report_final.pdf

? I’m not sure if they would qualify as credible/reliable sources for wiki, we’d need to check.

ALSO. I’ve found more Deaf-Owned businesses through Seek the World’s videos. However some of their websites have no mention of being deaf-owned or having any affiliation to the Deaf community. But because they were mentioned as Deaf-owned via Seek the World, should I still add them to the list?

List of U.S. Deaf-owned Businesses:
Virtual Businesses

5 Wellness - Holistic Health

58 Creativity - Art

Deaf Counseling Center - Therapy, Counseling, Consulting, etc

All-Around Deaf Handyman - serves MD, DC, & VA areas only (keep?)

Anna Blueberry Design - Graphic Design

Aqua Hands- Outdoors: ASL Scuba Diving Trips

ASL Captions - ASL captioning service

ASL Inside - Fingerspelling & Advanced Online Curriculum for ASL/Deaf Teachers & Students

ASLNook - ASL resources & access *

ASL Slam- Performance

ASL University - ASL resources & access  *

Bellewood Virtual Assistant

Convo Communications - Deaf-owned Video Relay Company

DeafTax- Tax services in ASL

Discovering Deaf Worlds Inc -empowerment & training

Dozanü Innovations - digital/creative marketing, business development, etc

DPAN.TV - media, entertainment, reality tv shows

Eyeth Studios - Graphic/Web design, development, media, training, consulting, etc

Hands Land - ASL acquisition, access

Interpreter Now - based in CA and in NY, service nationwide

SIGNmation/ASL Cabaret -Accessible Screenings (Open Captioned) & ASL interpreted Panels in the Entertainment Industry (Keep?)

STEMSign - provides STEM curricula & activities in ASL/bilingual

SquareGlow - Technology

Arizona

Chef Marcus’s Kitchen Tacolicious - Food catering

California

33UAV - Aerial photography

DawnSignPress - ASL resources & access *

Darren’s Restaurant

Deaf Community Services (DCS)

Mozzeria - Pizzeria restaurant

Real Urban Jazz Dance Company

Route 66 Promo - Apparel

Vinny Valdez Tattoo

Colorado

Zenergy in Motion Massage & Wellness LLC

Florida

EVF Pet Care & Consulting - Pet Boarding Service

Georgia

ASL Rose

Illinois

CR Construction Inc.-- Fb

Deaf Planet Soul - Services, events, empowerment

Maryland

Amati’s Cleaning Service (keep?)

Anariz’s Lock & Safe - Serves MD, D.C., & VA (keep?)

ASL STAR - Service, Training, Arts, Resources (educational consulting & training services in ASL)

Birnbaum Interpreting Services

www.corpsthat.org - outdoor conservation, recreation program, environmental education

Deafroot LLC - Custom wood art

Glam by Becca - Hairstylist

Hand Waves Birth Services LLC - available in DC/MD/VA area

Rosemary’s Fabulous Cakes

Streetcar 82- Brewery & merch

Brick Advantage

Massachusetts

Cai Steele Illustration - Art (keep?)

Michigan

Bearwood Reclaimed - Furniture

Matsyl Signs - Graphic Design & Banners

Minnesota

Bak Photography

Keystone Interpreting Solutions (KIS)- Interpreting Services

Missouri

DEAF Inc. - access & empowerment

Signing Edge - Interpreting Services

New Jersey

Fuzzy Wuzzy Design - Clothing

New York

A’Table! Catering - Food

ASL NYC - ASL Tutoring (Not clear if it was founded by Deaf or not. Without Convo, we honestly wouldn’t know… so maybe delete?)

By Mara - Clothing

Cape Cod Deaf Sailing - Outdoors

Ohio

ASL Master Tutor - ASL Tutoring

Oregon

Clackmas River Growlers- Pub

Pennsylvania

Goisa’s Pierogies - culinary bakery, catering

Tennessee

EffCo Interpreting LLC

Texas

512 Terps- Interpreting

Amelia Hamilton Photography

Azle Pet Salon - Pet Groomers

Blue Paw Energy Service - Innovative Energy Solutions

Crepe Crazy - Restaurant

D-PRO Inc. - Remodeling & Repairing services

Inka’s Screen Printing

Pepperbox Coffee

Utah

5 Star Interpreting

All About Pallets - Art, Furniture, Decor, Custom Builds

Virginia

Access Interpreting, Inc (3 co-founders, 1 CODA, 1 Deaf, 1 hearing)

Washington

4Legz - All Natural Dog Treats

Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services (ADWAS)

ASLCart - ASL themed products

Hi 5 Access - Interpreting Services

Stellar Communication Interpreting and Captioning Services

Washington D.C.

Catalyst+ - consultation on accessibility- DeafSpace

Copper & Water - Media services, PR, Web development, etc

reFort - used & refurbished appliances

TMGS fotography - Photography

West Virginia

Lost River Vacations - Retreat houses

RESOURCES TO LOOK AT

Melmira interview Leila on Deaf Ecosystem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Twk0T2GmxgA

Communication Service for the Deaf Names Deaf-Owned Mozzeria First Business Partner of its Social Venture Fund - First of its Kind in the United States: https://www.prweb.com/releases/2017/12/prweb14988894.ht

[1] Kelby Brink coined Deaf Ecosystem: https://odhh.maryland.gov/deaf-ecosystem/

National Deaf Center https://www.nationaldeafcenter.org/sites/default/files/Deaf%20People%20and%20Employment%20in%20the%20United%20States_%202019%20(7.26.19)(ENGLISH)(WEB).pdf