Around 500,000 Americans use American Sign Language to communicate throughout the United States and Canada. Introduced in 1817 by Thomas Galludet, ASL is one of over 300 sign languages used worldwide.
Interest in ASL has increased with additional available access to tutorials like those found on YouTube and TikTok. Additionally, ASL is often offered as a foreign language in the country's secondary and post-secondary education curricula.

Deaf visibility has also risen tremendously over the last several decades, with interpreters signing major political events, awards shows and press conferences for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. However, the ASL community is comparatively small, comprising only about 1% of the population, and opportunities for socialization can be difficult.

One way for both deaf and hearing people to come together for conversation or to practice conversational ASL is through Deaf Coffee Chat. With chapters all over the country, Deaf Coffee Chat is a social event where deaf people, students of ASL, or otherwise affiliated members of the deaf community meet regularly to socialize.

While these gatherings often occur in local coffee shops, they can also happen in malls, ice cream shops and generally any place serving food and drink. No matter the setting, Deaf Coffee Chats’ chief objective is to offer a safe environment for members of the deaf community to interact in their native tongue.

After a lengthy hiatus due to COVID-19 precautions, Deaf Coffee Chat Fayetteville is set to return to its regularly scheduled meetings on the first Thursday of every month beginning August 4 on the second floor of The Coffee Scene on Morganton Road from 6 to 9 p.m.

The free, family-friendly event isn’t exclusive to fluent speakers of ASL. From beginners to interpreters, the door is open to anyone interested in learning more about the language and deaf culture.
Up & Coming Weekly spoke with Tabby, owner and web developer of DeafCoffee.com, a website that provides an index of social places in the United States where deaf people can “get together, chat, and enjoy!”

DeafCoffee.Com was first launched in 2003 by Grant Laird, Jr., and has since operated under one goal: to create connections across the United States for members of the Deaf Community no matter where they happen to live or where they happen to visit. The site is designed to be an easy-to-use reference and works diligently to keep meeting places up to date.
In addition to the Fayetteville chapter, there are at least three active coffee chat meet ups out of North Carolina in Apex, Boiling Springs and Princeton, according to DeafCoffee.com.
While socializing is at the top of the group’s agenda, Tabby sees great value in the get-togethers outside of sharing a laugh and a cup of coffee.

“Opportunities for ASL students to further practice their signing by meeting deaf people are quite valuable. They also have a chance to learn things they would not have learned in a classroom setting. Also of value is meeting people in a deaf coffee chat which could lead to friendships and even careers (such as interpreters).”

Deaf Coffee Chat is free and open to the public. While no purchases are necessary to participate, support of the coffee shop is encouraged.
Coffee Scene is located at 3818 Morganton Road in Fayetteville.
For more information on Deaf Coffee Chat Fayetteville, visit https://www.facebook.com/deafcoffeefayetteville.