Posts by Makenna Cook


How to Make Learning ASL Your New Year’s Resolution

Makenna Cook /

It’s January 1st. You’ve written “exercise more” and “save money” on your list of resolutions… again. But what if this year’s goal connected you to thousands of new people and a vibrant culture? Learning American Sign Language (ASL) is more than picking up a new skill, it’s a doorway into. . . + Read More

Deaf Employment & Deaf-Owned Businesses

Makenna Cook /

Picture this, you walk into a cozy café, the smell of espresso in the air. The barista greets you with a warm smile and a quick flick of their hands in ASL (American Sign Language): GOOD MORNING!. You’ve just walked into Mozzeria, one of the nation’s most well-known Deaf-owned restaurants.. . . + Read More

History of American Sign Language

Makenna Cook /

Imagine stepping off a ship in 1816. The salty air of the Atlantic swirling around you, as a young American minister named Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet meets Laurent Clerc, a Deaf educator from France. Neither knows it yet, but their collaboration will spark the birth of American Sign Language (ASL), a. . . + Read More

Who was Chuck Baird?

Makenna Cook /

Imagine stepping into a bright art gallery. The walls are covered in vivid blues, glowing yellows, and deep purples. Each painting is alive. There are a pair of hands signing, a burst of color that seems to speak. You don’t need captions or sound. You feel the story. That is. . . + Read More

A Complete Guide to Deaf Schools in the United States

Makenna Cook /

Finding the right Deaf school can look different depending on who you are. Parents may be searching for the best environment for their child’s education, educators might be looking for program details or resources to support their students, and ASL learners could be seeking local schools that host events, workshops,. . . + Read More

How to Get Involved in the Deaf Community in Tucson, AZ

Makenna Cook /

Learning ASL is exciting, but the real magic happens when you step outside the classroom and spend time in the Deaf community. In Tucson, there are many welcoming spaces and events where new ASL learners can connect, practice, and learn about Deaf culture. Here’s how to get started as a. . . + Read More

How Get Involved in the Deaf Community as a New ASL Student

Makenna Cook /

Learning ASL is more than memorizing signs, it’s about experiencing Deaf culture and building real-life connections. As an ASL student, spending time in the Deaf community helps you learn naturally, develop cultural awareness, and practice your skills in authentic settings. Think of it like learning Spanish in Spain or French. . . + Read More

Difference Between ASL, PSE, and SEE

Makenna Cook /

When you start learning American Sign Language (ASL), you might hear people talking about SEE or PSE too. What are those? Aren’t they the same thing as ASL? The answer is no. There are actually three different signing styles you may see in classrooms or in Deaf spaces: Signed Exact. . . + Read More

Marlee Matlin’s Not Alone Anymore Documentary

Makenna Cook /

Academy Award–winning actor and advocate Marlee Matlin is the focus of a new feature documentary, Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore. Directed by Shoshannah Stern, the film centers American Sign Language, uses open captions throughout, and removes conventional voiceover so the story is told visually and directly in ASL. It is. . . + Read More

Deaf West Theatre’s “American Idiot”

Makenna Cook /

When Green Day’s American Idiot first hit Broadway in 2010, it wowed audiences with its raw energy and punk-rock storytelling. But no production has reimagined the show quite like Deaf West Theatre’s American Sign Language (ASL) adaptation. By weaving ASL into the music, choreography, and design, Deaf West created a. . . + Read More