Melanie Page

Recently, a few Deaf teachers have taken to Facebook to challenge videos in which hearing people teach ASL. Both Eric Epstein at Sign Playing and Jason Gervase at ASL Pinnacle are Deaf educators who have broken down videos from YouTube of hearing people teaching ASL incorrectly. As Eric writes, “People who teach ASL on social media have important responsibilities.” However, Jason and Eric don’t just critique hearing ASL teachers, they offer ASL classes for learners and workshops on ASL linguistics. They are experts!

And yet, whenever I try to look up an ASL sign on YouTube, the same lady appears: That Lady, who runs Learn How to Sign. It’s disheartening that she appears even before the popular Bill Vicars, a Deaf professor with a PhD who teaches ASL — and offers lessons for free or on a donation basis.

I discovered something, though; you can get YouTube to stop recommending certain channels! Go to one of the creator’s videos, like this one. Look to the right. See how YouTube recommends more videos by the same creator? Click the three dots next to one of those videos, scroll down, and click “don’t recommend channel.” That should help! Then take yourself to a YouTube video or website by a Deaf creator. Honor and support the time, talents, and wisdom of the Deaf community.