Deaf Culture Digital Library

Maryland Deaf Culture Digital Library is dedicated to providing leadership and guidance by making eBooks, videos, and resources accessible.

Featured Resources

Banner with the text ‘International Week of Deaf People’ in large white letters on a red background. Below, seven event topics with dates are listed in smaller text boxes: Sign up for Sign Language Rights (Monday September 23), Inclusive Education (Tuesday, September 24), Sign Language Advocacy (Wednesday, September 25), Building Resilient Deaf Communities (Thursday, September 26), Diversity in Deaf Communities (Friday, September 27), Deaf Cultural Celebrations (Saturday, September 28), and Investing in the Future of Deaf Communities (Sunday, September 29). The background features blue, yellow, and white handprints.

International Week of Deaf People

The DCDL celebrates the International Week of Deaf People,
a week dedicated to the Deaf populations around the world.

Monday September 23

Sign up for Sign Language Rights

Striving towards a better implementation of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) at the national level through the linguistic human rights of deaf people in view of the 20th anniversary of the CRPD in 2026. Sign up for Sign Language rights by working with your local and national associations to announce the achievement of a concrete goal for deaf communities today.

Tuesday September 24

Inclusive Education

Let’s support deaf children and their families connections with deaf communities to ensure early exposure to national sign languages and access to language rich environments. Sign up for Sign Language Rights by sharing a video on social media of your vision for the future of our deaf communities.

Wednesday September 25

Sign Language Advocacy

Encourage everyone to actively advocate for the rights of deaf individuals and the official recognition of national sign languages. Sign up for sign language rights by promoting your national sign languages in public arenas.

Thursday September 26

Building Resilient Deaf Communities

Building the capacity of deaf communities on emergency preparedness and response to mitigate disaster risks and reduce deaf communities’ vulnerability in the face of disasters. Sign up for sign language rights by demonstrating partnerships between deaf communities and emergency responders.

Check in with your local police and fire departments for their resources with deaf communities and see what you can do.

Friday September 27

Diversity in Deaf Communities

Embracing the diversity in deaf communities where every deaf individual with intersecting identities is recognized. Sign up for sign language rights by highlighting the many intersectional identities of our diverse deaf communities strengthen our communities today!

Examples of intersectional identities

Saturday September 28

Deaf Cultural Celebrations

Celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the deaf communities through our sign languages and cultures. Deaf Culture involves the behaviors, traditions, beliefs, values, history, humor, art that exists within Deaf communities. We are proud of our linguistic and cultural identities. Sign up for Sign Language rights by hosting an event today that demonstrates the rich cultures of our deaf communities.

Contact your local library for more information on hosting an event, or better yet, contact us! We would be happy to help!

Sunday September 29

Investing in the Future of Deaf Communities

Let’s support deaf children and their families connections with deaf communities to ensure early exposure to national sign languages and access to language rich environments. Sign up for Sign Language Rights by sharing a video on social media of your vision for the future of our deaf communities.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

If you or a loved one is struggling with thoughts of suicide, anxiety, depression or problems with drugs or alcohol, reach out to the 988 Lifeline. You can call, text or chat with a caring call specialist  who can assist in directing you to information and resources in your area.

Your Library Journey Options

The library website offers a wealth of resources for all ages, interests, and needs. Whether you’re looking for eBooks, digital videos, online journals, or information about local libraries, you can find it all here. Here are a few of the resources you can explore through DCDL.

eBooks resource, OverDrive logo.

eBooks - Overdrive

Read your favorite books online or download them to your device.

Video player icon in style of a scribble with a triangle play button in center.

Digital Videos

Watch movies, TV shows, and educational videos in sign language.

Drawing of a tablet and newspaper in style of a scribble.

Resources & Online Journals

Access digital resources and scholarly journals and magazines.

Maryland State Library logo with small piece of Maryland state flag in a circle on the left side.

Find Maryland Local Libraries

Find a library near you and learn about its services.

Materials Loans from Maryland Libraries - Marina

MARINA can be used to request items only if they are not owned by your local library system.

A diverse group of 10 people sit together during an event while watching a presenter that's not shown on the image.

Explore Deaf Community Events

Meet and mingle with the  deaf community.

Discover eBooks, streaming videos, online journals, and information about nearby libraries, all in one centralized place and tailored to the needs of Maryland’s deaf community.

About Us

The Deaf Culture Digital Library provides resources and information about deaf culture to Maryland residents and offers access to digital collections of deaf-related books, videos, articles, and more.