We are two deaf people from Denmark. We started DeafPlaces because finding deaf places was too hard when we travelled.
I'm deaf and live in Copenhagen. I travel a lot, and meeting local deaf people has always been the best part. That's how I learn their sign language and culture. But abroad I often couldn't find them, and I'm sure I've missed many deaf restaurants and cafés. So I started DeafPlaces, to help deaf travellers find local deaf places and help those places get more visitors. In my day job I'm a software architect.
Søren is deaf and from Denmark, like me. DeafPlaces was Søren's idea. While travelling in Thailand, Søren had no idea that several deaf Grab drivers work in Bangkok. That kind of thing should be easy to find, so now we're building it together.
When we travel, we want to meet local deaf people. Eat at a café where the staff sign. Go on a tour with a deaf guide. Drop by the local deaf club. But it's hard to find. Google reviews rarely say anything about sign language, and what local deaf people know is hidden in Facebook groups.
So we're putting the places on one map. We check every place before it goes on. And it works both ways: you get good experiences when you travel, and local deaf places get more guests.
Know a deaf place that's missing? Or want to help with the map in your country?