Support and Empowerment
- The Willow Tree Project provides pro-bono ASL interpreting services for interviews if the business refuses to provide interpreters, you would like to attend a walk in/open interview event, or you wish to keep your need for an interpreter private until the interview. If you are in need of an interpreter, please email us at interpreting@thewtp.org.
Please note: interpreters may not be available but we will do our best to fill the need. - The Willow Tree Project will support with advocacy should your job, potential job, or place of appointment is refusing to provide an interpreter. We will support by giving resources (if those listed above aren’t sufficient) and empowering until you request us to step in and advocate on your behalf.
If you need support, please email us at info@thewtp.org. - The Willow Tree Project is always looking for Deaf folks that would like to host workshops or join in our efforts.
Need a Notary?
Free mobile notary services available for the Deaf and interpreting communities!
The meeting location must be anywhere* in the state of Illinois.
Intersectional Community Support and Advocacy
- Black Deaf Project
” We are committed to working within and alongside Black Deaf and hearing communities to address audism in our community, create culturally inclusive education, and seek opportunities for Black joy and thriving. Join us on this journey to a more equitable and accessible world.” - Charis Books & More
“We caption videos when we show them in the space. Free ASL interpretation is available for most Charis Circle programs upon request. Please email info@chariscircle.org to request interpretation as early as possible.” - DC Area Transmasculine Society (DCATS)
“The DC Area Transmasculine Society (DCATS) is a trans-led nonprofit organization that serves to advance the lives of transmasculine folx by providing resources that help overcome the social, economic, and health-related barriers to living authentically.” - Deaf Queer Resource Center
“Through advocacy, education, peer support, information sharing, and movement building, we dismantle systemic barriers and work toward a liberated future where multiply-marginalized Deaf Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer people of all ages and identities thrive with dignity and pride.” - Hands United
“We have also made communication boards for use in ICE/immigration situations. Please download them and share them as needed.” - HEARD
“HEARD is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that focuses on correcting and preventing deaf wrongful convictions, ending deaf prisoner abuse, and on increasing representation of the deaf in the justice and legal professions.” - Jewish Deaf Resource Center
“JDRC provides support to individuals, synagogues, schools, and organizations in the wider Jewish community to come together as one. Through JDRC’s efforts, we build a richer and meaningful Jewish communal life for everyone.” - Minnesota Deaf Queers
“MN Deaf Queers is a community-based group located in Minnesota that focuses on Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing LGBTQ+ people. Our allies are welcome and valued members of this community-based group.” - Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf
“Rainbow Association for the Deaf is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of deaf individuals. Our mission is to promote deaf culture and provide support for the deaf community. We strive to create a world where the deaf community is fully included and valued.” - Sign Your Truth
“Whether you’re part of the Deaf community or an ally, this ASL Livestream promises to enlighten, inspire, and connect viewers through conversations, all delivered in ASL.” - The Silent Horn Foundation
“The Somalis are one of only a few groups on earth who still don’t have an internationally recognised Sign Language. The Silent Horn Foundation is fighting for it’s Deaf Somali community to access their rights and achieve their dreams in the UK whilst strengthening their identity and culture in Somali Sign Language.” - Visual Noise Interpreting
“Visual Noise Interpreting is a woman- and queer-owned ASL interpreting service dedicated to creating accessible, inclusive spaces where everyone feels safe, respected, and fully immersed in events that bring them joy.”
National and Global Resources
- ADA – Communicating Effectively
This resource provides examples, considerations, and laws for individuals that aren’t sure when an interpreter is best utilized versus using a captioning device or writing back and forth. - AIMS
“Join AIMS today to connect with a global community of sign language interpreters, access support, and share your expertise.” - American Printing House
“The American Printing House for the Blind is the world’s largest nonprofit organization creating accessible learning experiences through educational, workplace, and independent living products and services for people who are blind and visually impaired.” - DANE Advocacy
“Deaf Abuse Network and Education (DANE) is committed to supporting victims and survivors in Arizona Deaf communities to end intimate partner violence through education, advocacy, empowerment, and prevention.” - DAWN
“DAWN’s mission is to promote healthy relationships and reduce abuse in the Deaf community in the Washington, DC area.” - Deaf Counseling Center
“Deaf Counseling Center is a Deaf-owned and operated therapy, counseling, coaching, assessments and psychiatric and consulting practice staffed by Deaf licensed professional therapists.” - Deaf Defy
“Through international humanitarian aid missions, Deaf Defy brings sign language, hearing aids and audiological care to Deaf children living in refugee camps and areas of conflict around the world. We’re a Deaf-led team committed to improving outcomes for Deaf children everywhere!” - Deaf Dome
“Our mission is to improve the lives of the DHH+ Community by providing inclusive and accessible services, education, and advocacy while engaging the broader community.” - DeafHope
“Our mission at DeafHope is to end domestic and sexual violence in Deaf communities through empowerment, education and services.” - DeafLEAD Crisis Center
“We provide 24/7 crisis intervention, advocacy, case management, interpreting, and mental health support services to victims of crime who are Deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind, and late-deafened individuals and their families.” - DeafNation Expo
“We are the foremost touring trade show for, by, and about deaf people. Since 2003, the DeafNation Expo showcase has attracted over 1 million attendees with hundreds of events throughout the United States.” - Deaf YES: Center for Deaf Empowerment and Recovery
“We conduct research on best practices in Deaf behavioral health care, we offer training and community outreach about these state-of-the-art approaches, and we provide research-informed counseling services to the local Massachusetts Deaf community.”
- Inclusivity Works
“From promoting accessibility in education and employment to fostering social inclusion and providing support services, we work to create positive change and empower DDBDDHH+ communities to thrive.” - Language First Advocacy Letters
Use these letters to help advocate for your child. - NAD Advocacy Letters
“These advocacy letters can help Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, and Late Deafened people advocate for their rights.” - National Black Deaf Advocates
“For more than three decades, NBDA has been at the forefront of advocacy efforts for civil rights and equal access to education, employment, and social services on behalf of the Black Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the United States.” - National Deaf Center
“We share information, networks, and strategies to improve continuing education and training for deaf people.” - National Hispanic Latino Association of the Deaf
“The mission for NHLAD is to build an alliance between Deaf Latino and the Hispanic community through the preservation of our language, culture & customs. We recognize the importance of gaining empowerment through the promotion of leadership and education in the Hispanic and Latino community.” - Partners in Deaf Health, INC
“Partners in Deaf Health, Inc., (PDH), a Deaf-lead independent nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization, was formed with this mission, “To promote an understanding of health needs of culturally Deaf people.” - Pink Wings of Hope
“Pink Wings of Hope is dedicated to empowering individuals within the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind community with the knowledge and support needed to make informed decisions regarding their health and treatment paths.” - Project CLIMB
This is a wonderful resource for the Deaf community to see how various processes within court and legal situations run. - RID Job Board
Find jobs on RID’s job board! - Sego Lily
“Sego Lily provides resources to Deaf, HoH, DB, and DeafDisabled individuals located in Utah wanting to heal from domestic violence and sexual assault.” - The Silent Horn Foundation
“The Somalis are one of only a few groups on earth who still don’t have an internationally recognised Sign Language. The Silent Horn Foundation is fighting for it’s Deaf Somali community to access their rights and achieve their dreams in the UK whilst strengthening their identity and culture in Somali Sign Language.” - WASLI
“This site brings you information about the Association, its history, the aims, the structure, and about how you can become a member.”
Information and Education Resources
- ASL Aspire
“The world’s first game-based approach to ASL STEM education” - ASL Education Center
“ASL Education Center’s team of educators, researchers, and linguists have decades of experience studying, creating, and offering innovative educational tools in American Sign Language (ASL). Our ASL-centric services and projects are designed to transform how ASL signers navigate, learn, and explore the world through ASL.” - American Society for Deaf Children
“The American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC) is committed to empowering all families with deaf* and hard-of-hearing children and youth by embracing full language and communication access in inclusive environments through mentoring, advocacy, resources, and collaborative networks.” - Asian Signers
“Asian Signers is an Asian-owned and Deaf-led nonprofit organization promoting the recognition of diverse Asian representations with a commitment to culture, literature and education in American Sign Language.” - Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Losses
“We are the Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Losses, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has been serving thousands of Deaf and hard-of-hearing healthcare professionals and students worldwide since 1999. We provide support in the form of advocacy and mentorship.” - CorpsTHAT
“Our mission is to connect the Deaf Community and the outdoors through recreation, education and job development.” - Deaf In Scrubs
“Our mission is to improve access to medical knowledge for the Deaf and hard of hearing community.” - Deaf Interpreter Institute
Deaf Interpreter Institute is an information sharing resource for anyone that is, works with, or supports DI’s. This website is an archive and no longer updated but has amazing resources. - Deaf Mosaic
“Stephen’s Deaf Mosaic project features over 110 portraits that challenge the general public with an urgent message: It is not deafness that disables people but the barriers in hearing society that often frustrates our dreams.” - Deaf News Today
“…I pull together information from reputable news sites, looking for stories of special interest to the Deaf Community. The fact a topic is on the site, does not mean I agree with the topic. In fact, I try to keep my opinion out of it and just let readers come to their own conclusions.” - De’VIA
“The founding principle of the De’VIA Curriculum is that Deaf and Deaf-blind children are entitled to learning about their Deaf heritage, language, struggles and victories, identity and rights via visual arts.” - Described and Captioned Media Program
“The DCMP provides services designed to support and improve the academic achievement of students who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind.” - Engage-Ed
“Engage-Ed creates lessons that are accessible to DHH students who sign, speech read, use captions and/or amplification, or any combination of the above - GU RIEC
GU RIEC houses various videos from storytelling to Deaf Interpreters in the courtroom. - Hands on Wine
“Bringing all things wine, agriculture, and horticulture to the Deaf and signing communities and others.” - Language First
“Language First serves as a trusted resource for parents and professionals in Deaf education, offering handouts, videos, and research to highlight the neurological impact of delayed or incomplete first language acquisition and the importance of early, accessible language.” - Manos Unidas
Educational resources for students, families, and educators utilizing multiple languages. Information related to school all the way to ICE and immigration information. - Project Climb
This is a wonderful resource to see how various processes within court and legal system run. - Project Access Online – Employer Education – FREE CLASS
“The Working Together: Deaf & Hearing People online course is designed to help employers create a supportive workplace environment for both deaf and hearing workers that encourages effective communication and helps all employees realize their full potential. It is called Working Together because it is about working relationships.” - Project Access Online – Educator Course – FREE CLASS
Project Access Online explores ways to optimize teaching in the classroom, provides real-life strategies, and provides extensive online resources to help teachers and faculty modify their teaching behaviors to provide greater access to learning for deaf students, which in turn benefits all students. - The Learning Center for the Deaf
“The mission of The Learning Center for the Deaf is to ensure that all deaf and hard of hearing children and adults thrive by having the knowledge, opportunity, and power to design the future of their choice.”