Quincy University will be celebrating its eighth annual Deaf Awareness Week Sept. 24 – 30 with several activities designed to increase awareness of Deaf issues, people and culture.  The public is encouraged to join faculty, staff and students to promote a better understanding of the Deaf community.  Members of QU’s sign language interpretation program will provide American Sign Language interpretation at all events.

Sunday, Sept. 24 the Quincy Community Theatre will be performing “Our Town” at 2:00 p.m. The play will feature Deaf community member, Aren Williams. Jessica Lewis, a QU graduate, will interpret the show for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing members.

Monday, Sept. 25 is “ASL Only Monday” and students are asked to use sign language only, all day in their classes and in conversation.  That evening is “QU Signs @ The Abbey” at 5:30 p.m.  This will be a silent supper at the Abbey restaurant where people are encouraged to enjoy their food and sign their conversations.  Quincy Mayor, Kyle Moore will also be attending. Ten percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Quincy Deaf Club and the QU Student Interpreters Association.

On Friday, Sept. 29, QU and Quincy Public School Deaf and Hard of Hearing students, as well as members of the Deaf community, will tour the Quincy 911 Dispatch office to learn about 911 texting capabilities. Group one, limit of 20, will meet in parking lot C to carpool at 9 a.m. and will tour at 9:30 a.m. Group two, limit of 20, will meet in parking lot C to carpool at 10 a.m. and will tour at 10:30 a.m.

The awareness week will wrap up on Saturday, Sept. 30 at the QU Homecoming football game where students from the sign language interpretation program will sign the National Anthem at 12:30 p.m.  Tickets are available at the entrance to the stadium at 20th and Sycamore beginning at 11:30 a.m.

For information on carpooling and purchasing tickets please contact Jane Meirose at 217-222-8020, ext. 3101 or meiroja@quincy.edu.