Our Story

For The Deaf Girl was founded in 2022 out of a longing for connection.

At the time, there weren’t many examples of diverse Deaf representation. Our founder, Ryien, was in the middle of her own Deaf identity journey and searching for belonging. She quickly realized she wasn’t alone in that search.

As she became more involved in the signing community, it was clear that deafness is not one-size-fits-all. Every woman she met carried her own way of moving through the world, her own rhythm and story.

During Deaf Awareness Month 2022, Ryien and a few d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing students began sharing honest, unpolished snapshots of life with hearing loss on Instagram. What started as relatable content quickly grew into something much larger——recognition, connection, and proof that these stories mattered. This sparked a vision for something more intentional, accessible, and inclusive spaces that could exist both online and in person.

Today, For The Deaf Girl is more than just an idea. It’s a growing movement. Our blog and online spaces connect dDeaf and Hard of Hearing women with resources to navigate the hearing world, while also encouraging each woman to explore her dDeaf identity. Here, you’ll find stories from women of all ages and lifestyles, creating a vibrant mosaic of voices.

What We Do

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THE DEAF GIRL CLUB
We understand what it’s like to navigate inter-abled friendships, inaccessible gatherings, and trying to find your place in a hearing-centric world.
A $5/mo membership to The Deaf Girl Club gets you full access to exclusive content, private messaging capabilities, a TDGC group chat & invites to members-only events.
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THE SOCIAL HOUR
Monthly online guided discussions for dDeaf and Hard of Hearing individuals who are 18+ with Disabilities, Neurodivergence, and Chronic Illness.
To ensure accessibility, ASL interpreters and English captioning will be available during every session.
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DHH HANGOUTS
We organize curated events that encourage dDeaf and Hard of Hearing women to gather and create lasting connections.
We partner with brands, universities, and localized dDeaf communities to host gatherings and all over the country.
Interested in partnering with us? Check out our contact page to inquire about a partnership.
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TDGC BESTIES PROGRAM
The Deaf Girl Club Besties membership includes six 1:1 monthly calls with a peer mentor.
Each month there are corresponding workbook activities and free resources to encourage our Besties to explore their dDeaf identity, and navigate a ‘hearing’ world.
Feel free to join our waitlist!
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TRAININGS + CONSULTATIONS
We visualize a world where accessibility surpasses more than meeting an ADA-approved checklist. We work to create safe, accessible, and inclusive products and spaces for dDHH+ individuals. We truly believe accessibility transcends wheelchair ramps or interpreters. Accessibility should be a world-class experience—leaving your audience feeling seen, understood, and celebrated.
Inquire through our contact page
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AWARENESS + SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Our founder and CEO, Ryien Blackwood Smith has a background in Strategic Communications and works as a full-time Disability Advocate and Accessibility Consultant.
Looking for a guest speaker for your event, conference, or classroom discussion? Use our contact form to inquire today!

And while this space is built for women with hearing loss, it’s not limited to them. Friends, family, allies, and the simply curious are welcome here, too. Because accessibility, hearing loss, and Deaf culture are not niche—they are part of a larger story we all share.

Wherever we go, online or in person, our mission remains the same——to create spaces where women with hearing loss feel seen, connected, and celebrated.