One of the challenges facing the deaf in attending religious services or otherwise participating in religion is accessing translations of important materials. While sacred scriptures and texts are available in print, this does not address the fact that sign language is the first language of many Deaf; and furthermore, such texts are only a small portion of the religious experience, which also includes sermons, songs, prayers, and other material. One of the things the hearing community often doesn’t understand is the preference of some Deaf people to have access to materials in sign language even when they are available in writing; this has often been a failing of religious groups, in the absence of Deaf advocacy groups assisting them.

Many religious congregations provide sign language interpreters ...