News  Read Governor Healey's 2025 Deaf Awareness Month Proclamation

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

A Proclamation

WHEREAS, The Deaf and Hard of Hearing community within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts represents a vital and integral part of our population, contributing significantly to the cultural, social, and economic fabric of our state; and

WHEREAS, American Sign Language (ASL) is the primary language for many Deaf individuals and serves as a crucial medium for communication, education, and cultural expression; and

WHEREAS, Increasing public awareness and understanding of Deaf culture, communication access needs, and the challenges faced by Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals promotes equity, inclusion, and full participation in all aspects of society; and

WHEREAS, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts recognizes September as Deaf Awareness Month in alignment with national observances to honor and celebrate the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community; and

WHEREAS, Massachusetts is committed to advancing accessibility, inclusion and equal opportunity for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals in education, employment, healthcare and public services,

Now, Therefore, I, Maura T. Healey, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim September 2025, to be,

DEAF AWARENESS MONTH

And urge all residents of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.

Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, this first day of September, in the year two thousand and twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and forty-ninth.

By Her Excellency
Maura T. Healey
Governor of the Commonwealth

Kimberley Driscoll
Lt. Governor of the Commonwealth

William Francis Galvin
Secretary of the Commonwealth

God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

View the official 2025 Deaf Awareness Month Proclamation document.