Eva Longoria: 'Ive learnt sign language'

Eva Longoria has revealed that she has learnt sign language.

The Desperate Housewives star, who recently launched her own cook book, Eva's Kitchen, explained that she wanted to communicate to her deaf and hard of hearing fans.

Speaking at the 9th Annual GLAD Benefit Extravaganza, she commented: "I've had a lot of deaf people who have bought my book and I've been able to talk to them about what my favourite recipe is and what to cook."

Longoria, who filed for divorce from husband Tony Parker in November 2010, said that she strives to bring "awareness" to minority groups.

The 36-year-old actress, whose sister Elizabeth has Down's syndrome, explained: "I always think it's important to bring awareness to minority or a minority population and whether you're Latino or black or a woman or deaf, it still falls into that category of needing support from people who aren't normally around this type of population.

"I come from a diverse background of people with special needs, because of my sister, so I'm happy to bring my voice to this cause."