When she moved to Vermont three and a half years ago, Brittney Lipson discovered that the deaf community in the Burlington area is quite small.
She’d come to study for her PhD at the University of Vermont and to teach courses on American Sign Language. Lipson, who is in her thirties, lost her hearing after an illness at age 3.
A friend of Lipson’s who is hearing visited recently, and though they had a great time together, “I realized I was missing out on something,” Lipson said.
Now Lipson is organizing an event for the deaf community that she hopes will improve accessibility, raise awareness and break down barriers. Lipson has partnered with Burlington Trolley Tours to host an hourlong tour of the city on Friday, November 6, that will include an ASL interpreter.
“Many people are afraid or don’t know how to interact with deaf people, so I’m hoping this will be an eye-opener and bring some light,” Lipson said.
Operator Hannington Kasagga will narrate the tour as the ASL interpreter relays the information. Lipson said to expect stops at various places around town. She hopes that by showing business owners that deaf people live and work here, they will become more accommodating. For one thing, businesses could hire interpreters for events. Or, she said in an email, staff can “learn a few basic signs” because “Deaf people are customers, too.”
So far, several people have signed up, Lipson said, with room for more. Tickets are $35.
Lipson is one of just four ASL instructors at UVM, though she’s hoping the program grows. Her classes are often made up of students who can hear but want to learn some basic ASL or, in some cases, become interpreters. She said her work there inspired the trolley event and, hopefully, others in the future.
“I want people to get an understanding of how to work with deaf people,” Lipson said. “That’s really what our goal is.”
For more, email bjalipson@gmail.com or visit burlingtontrolley.com.
This article appears in November 4 • 2026.
Got something to say?
Send a letter to the editor and we'll publish your feedback in print!
