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Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Deaf Awareness Week

 Objectives

The purpose of Deaf Awareness Week is to educate communities about the many issues the deaf population face during everyday life, as well as to honor the history and culture of people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing...specifically:
  • To differentiate between misconception and fact about deaf and hard of hearing people and deaf culture.
  • To understand the differences in the attitudinal approaches to being deaf or hard of hearing by the hearing public and by deaf or hard of hearing people themselves.
  • To learn about types, degrees, and causes of hearing loss and other audiological information.
  • To become familiar with terminology related to being deaf or hard of hearing.
  • To become familiar with sign language and other ways deaf and hard of hearing people communicate.
  • To understand the functions of assistive devices used by people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
  • To better understand an interpreter’s role.
  • To learn about the types of educational programs and support services that are available to deaf and hard of hearing children.
  • To gain an understanding of the psychosocial aspects of being deaf or hard of hearing.
  • To become familiar with the services and resources that are available to the deaf and hard of hearing community.
  • To learn about communicating with deaf and hard of hearing people.
  • To have a better understanding of deaf culture.
  • To recognize that “Deaf People Can Do Anything Except Hear!
 Since 1951, the last full week (Sunday through Saturday) of September has been designated Deaf Awareness Week. Source: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders