Deaf Awareness Day

We had an amazing time at Deaf Awareness Day during Boo Fest at Six Flags Great Escape on October 12th!

Huge thanks to Hands and Voices organizers Karen and Steve Engel, New York State Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program (NY EHDI), and RIT/NTID for making it happen.

The weather was perfect for this family-friendly event! RIT/NTID handed out 500 Trick or Treat bags, and we focused on children’s literacy by distributing Early Literacy Development Parent Tip flyers from the FL3 Lab, children’s books, and snacks to families. Plus, Boo Fest shows were interpreted in ASL! 

Amara Engel, a recent graduate from RIT/NTID and Karen Engel, an educator with her masters in Reading Literacy, discussed Literacy tips from Hands and Voices with families and gave books to children. Our interpreter interpreted the Boo Fest Shows and the costume contest, in addition to being available during other times throughout the day to sign for D/HH individuals and families.

Child’s picture book stickers, book marks and activity books were donated by Amara Engel and The Eric Carle Museum. Educational Literacy materials were printed and donated by Kelly and Alan Stroebel at Chatham Print, in Chatham, NY.