Welcome to the MAC Lab, a research lab based in Gallaudet University's Linguistics Department. The MAC Lab includes a team of researchers led by Dr. Deanna Gagne. The research included in this lab focuses on language development, cognition, and atypical linguistic experiences.

The MAC Lab is a multidisciplinary team of professionals with expertise in fields such as linguistics, computer science, engineering, and deaf education. The MAC Lab team aims to advance the research on the deaf, hard of hearing, and DeafBlind communities.
Our mission is to bridge the gap between technology and communication for the deaf and hard of hearing community. We strive to create innovative solutions that not only address the unique needs of our community but also contribute to a more inclusive and accessible world for everyone. By focusing on assistive technologies, sign language recognition, and accessible communication platforms, we aim to empower our community with tools and resources that enhance independence, communication, and social inclusion.


The MAC Lab is actively engaged in collaborations with various people, organizations, companies, and academic institutions.
The work we do at the MAC Lab has the potential to transform lives. Through our research, we have developed technologies and tools that have already begun to make a difference in the everyday lives of deaf and hard of hearing individuals. We are proud of the impact our research has made and are committed to continuing our work towards a more accessible future.





Our team consists of professionals from linguistics, computer science, engineering, and deaf education, combining unique perspectives to drive innovation.
We develop cutting-edge assistive technologies to enhance independence and communication for deaf and hard of hearing individuals, promoting a more inclusive world.
Our research focuses on advancing sign language recognition systems, facilitating seamless communication and breaking down barriers for our community.
We create accessible communication platforms, ensuring that deaf and hard of hearing individuals can fully engage with the world around them.
We partner with academic institutions, tech companies, and organizations to leverage diverse expertise, resources, and perspectives for more impactful solutions.
Our mission goes beyond research; we aim to empower the deaf and hard of hearing community with resources, education, and opportunities for growth.
Pioneering New Frontiers in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Research.
The MAC Lab investigates how individuals acquire and use language across visual, tactile, and spoken modalities. Our research explores how varied sensory experiences shape language development in deaf, DeafBlind, and hearing individuals from childhood through adulthood.
We are at the forefront of research on protactile — a tactile language that has emerged within the DeafBlind community in the United States. The PT Kids Lab investigates how DeafBlind children acquire protactile from birth, documenting the early stages of a language developing in real time.
The MAC Lab studies the relationship between language experience and cognitive development, including theory of mind, spatial reasoning, and literacy. Our work examines how access to language — or lack thereof — shapes the development of higher-order thinking in deaf and DeafBlind individuals.
Thank you for your interest in the MAClab! We welcome your inquiries, collaboration opportunities, and feedback. Please reach out to us using the contact information provided, and our team will be delighted to connect with you.