I'm not deaf, but I can see what Ocean1025 is saying....

If you can't then I suggest the next time you go to a Pagan event, especially a Festival or a Con, you spend all your money and then put in a set of sturdy earplugs on...so that you only get a visual experience and can't hear any of the speakers or the speeches that give rituals more context.... Because that is exactly what we are asking deaf Pagans to do if we don't have an interpreter...

And there are any number of possible solutions out there....

Hearing assist devices that work with auditorium (or convention hall) sound systems to aid the hearing imparied....

A special track of Interpreted workshops....

A scolling sign board somewhere visible where the words can be shown real-time...

Printed outlines of workshop topics provided to deaf participants....

In large metropolitan areas with universities that have ASL programs, see if they run any interpreter classes and see what sort of practicum these folks need... students might be willing to work for low cost or for free (sucking it up and offering a hotel room and a meal plan can probably get you some volunteers)

these are some possibilities, will they require work? Yes. Might they require creativity in execution and financing? Yes. Are they the ethical thing to do? Yes. So how about we put on our Big Pagan Panties and find a way to do it?

Curiously yours,
Pax

Sunfell,

Thank you. Thank you for standing up for Wicca, for Paganism, thank you for your service to our country and to the Pagan faiths. Blessings on you and yours.

Peace,
Pax

Wiccanism: Noun: A Witty remark made by a Wiccan.

Thank you Cat for speaking for wisdom and compassion and reason.

Holding you in my prayers Mr. McCollum.

Blessed Be and Amen and pass the Pens and notepads Sister!!

Don't hate the mainstream media, find ways to work and act to make it better. Or subvert it...
http://pagannewswirecollective.com/

Peace,
Pax

@LionessFeathers,

As another Florida Pagan I can relate to the challenges of living in the crotch pit of the Bible belt... HOWEVER, take some hope and inspiration in the fact that the Ban on LGBT adoption and 2nd party adoption has been overturned.... we can make a difference and we can bend that moral arc.

Peace,
Pax

Ok, I just think we need to try and get the reporter or editor from the NY Daily News to get out a little more. I mean, I'm sorry, but I've seen a LOT more chillingly occult altars posted on peoples blogs for the High Holy Days... Someone totally needs to get Evn and Veles to give them some design lessons...

I mean I am sure he was distracted by hallucinations and cleaning his gun, but c'mon, this like Mr. Laughtner wasn't even trying! .....HEY!!!

Jonathan, on the one hand I can very much dig where you are coming from, on the other at what point does Black Pride or Black Power become racism? At what point does Pagan or Christian Pride become religious bigotry?