QU to Take Part in Deaf Awareness Day

The Quincy University American Sign Language Interpreting Training department will be conducting its third annual Deaf Awareness Day to coincide with International Deaf Awareness Week. Quincy Mayor John Spring will present a proclamation to QU President Dr.Gervasi in honor of Deaf Awareness Day at an event on Wednesday, September 26, at 12:30 P.M. in the main dining hall.

Students, faculty, and staff who are participating in this event will be asked not to speak for the entire day to simulate the experiences of deaf members of society, and how it feels to be victims of audism that is, discrimination against the deaf and hard of hearing. Members of the deaf community will accompany students at lunch where "The Star Spangled Banner" will be performed in ASL. Deaf awareness information will be available in the QU main dining hall at noon.

On Thursday, September 27, the ASL/Interpreting students and the deaf community will tour the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum and the Mark Twain Cave. At the museum gallery, QU's Dr. Cindy Lovell, associate professor of education and executive director of the home and museum, will speak on Helen Keller's friendship with Mark Twain. QU interpreter studies students will interpret the lecture and tours, and facilitate communication throughout the day.

For more information, please contact Jane Meirose, QU instructor of interpreter training, at (217) 228-5432 ext. 3101 or Paul Kiel, QU instructor of ASL, at Video Phone (217) 919-9647.