Monroe Community College (MCC) has generously agreed to “Kick Off” the Rochester Deaf Awareness Week (RDAW) with a ceremony in its theatre (Building 4) on Sunday, September 23, 2012 from 1 to 4 pm. A reception will immediately follow the ceremony in the North Atrium (Building 12). During the Kick Off ceremony, the following people are scheduled to give remarks:
· Dr. Anne Kress, President of MCC
· Darryl Porter, Rochester City Assistant to the Mayor
· Joseph E. Robach, New York Senator
· Elaine M. Spaull Ph.D., JD, East District Councilmember
· Chris Hilderbrant, Chief Operating Officer of CDR
· James M. Sheppard, Rochester City Police Chief
· Harold Mowl, Superintendent/CEO of RSD
· Bernard Hurwitz, Executive Assistant to the President of NTID
· Audrey Schell, President of RRCD
The Master of Ceremonies for the Kick Off will be the iconic, Patrick Graybill M.Ed., who has an extensive career as a performer, director, and teacher. He has taught at both NTID and Gallaudet University. He currently serves as Deacon at Rochester’s Emmanuel Church of the Deaf. This year’s dynamic keynote speaker will be Diana Cho, a Life Coach who is deaf and specializes in working with deaf and hard of hearing people on-line ("https://www.dianacho.info/"). Diana has held a wide range of leadership positions including at Rochester Institute of Technology, Vera Institute of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. She has a Master's in Professional Studies, with concentration in Deaf Education and School Psychology.
Also part of the traditional Kick Off ceremony will be awards recognizing various individuals and organizations for their outstanding efforts to empower the local deaf/hard of hearing and DeafBlind community.
The aim of Rochester Deaf Awareness Week (RDAW) is to raise awareness, empower, promote understanding of and celebrate deaf people and their unique culture and language.
Unless otherwise noted, all of the RDAW Workshops, Events, Exhibits and the Kick Off ceremony; are free, open to the public and interpreted. Please note: some workshops/events require RSVP. Attendees are encouraged to review "https://www.RDAW.org" for more detailed information.
Rochester Deaf Awareness Week (RDAW) was started in 1984. This year’s RDAW marks the 14th celebration. RDAW is affiliated with the Rochester Recreation Club for the Deaf (RRCD).
RDAW is also on Facebook.com/rdaw2012.
Rita Straubhaar
World Languages and Cultures
09/19/2012 |