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Grant awarded to AIDB Tuscaloosa center to fund work program for deaf teens | TuscaloosaNews.com
The Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind’s Tuscaloosa Regional Center has been awarded a $20,500 grant from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System to help finance AIDB’s Work Experience Program for Deaf Teens.
The work program gives deaf and hard of hearing teens in west-central Alabama the opportunity to gain job skills in real world settings.
“The need for this program is very evident; 70 percent of deaf adults rely on government assistance and have an average income 50 to 70 percent lower than their hearing peers,” said Wayne Ford, Tuscaloosa County Extension Coordinator.
During the summer, the program will partner students with businesses from Bibb, Choctaw, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Marengo, Perry, Pickens, Sumter and Tuscaloosa counties. Working with a job coach, students will gain on-site training.
“This program will give deaf and hard of hearing teens in the Black Belt Region a valuable opportunity to inform businesses and community leaders that individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing are just as capable as their hearing counterparts,” said Jan McGee, director of the Tuscaloosa Regional Center.
Ten students will be accepted for the summer 2008 program. For enrollment information, call the Tuscaloosa Regional Center at 205-345-2883 V/TTY, or drop by the center at 2412 Skyland Blvd.
“Our goal is to transform possible tax consumers into tax producers,” said Terry Graham, president of AIDB. “By giving people who are deaf or hard of hearing a chance to work, we are supporting Alabama’s economy. Since our inception nearly 150 years ago, AIDB has worked to help those with sensory loss live the most independent life possible and this grant will further allows us to do that.”
The Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind’s Tuscaloosa Regional Center has been awarded a $20,500 grant from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System to help finance AIDB’s Work Experience Program for Deaf Teens.
The work program gives deaf and hard of hearing teens in west-central Alabama the opportunity to gain job skills in real world settings.
“The need for this program is very evident; 70 percent of deaf adults rely on government assistance and have an average income 50 to 70 percent lower than their hearing peers,” said Wayne Ford, Tuscaloosa County Extension Coordinator.
During the summer, the program will partner students with businesses from Bibb, Choctaw, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Marengo, Perry, Pickens, Sumter and Tuscaloosa counties. Working with a job coach, students will gain on-site training.
“This program will give deaf and hard of hearing teens in the Black Belt Region a valuable opportunity to inform businesses and community leaders that individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing are just as capable as their hearing counterparts,” said Jan McGee, director of the Tuscaloosa Regional Center.
Ten students will be accepted for the summer 2008 program. For enrollment information, call the Tuscaloosa Regional Center at 205-345-2883 V/TTY, or drop by the center at 2412 Skyland Blvd.
“Our goal is to transform possible tax consumers into tax producers,” said Terry Graham, president of AIDB. “By giving people who are deaf or hard of hearing a chance to work, we are supporting Alabama’s economy. Since our inception nearly 150 years ago, AIDB has worked to help those with sensory loss live the most independent life possible and this grant will further allows us to do that.”