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Mayor signs proclamation for Deaf Awareness Week Sept. 25- 30 - Hawley, PA - The News Eagle
On Sept. 23, Hawley Mayor David Hawk signed a proclamation setting the week of Sept. 25-Sept. 30 Deaf Awareness Week. Lori DeVoe and her family, along with Mary Ann Stefko of Scranton School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, were present for the signing of the document.
The proclamation reads:
“Whereas, Sept. 25 through Sept. 30, 2011 is Deaf Awareness Week. Whereas, ninety three percent of deaf children are born into Hearing families, only seven percent are born into deaf families. Whereas, American sign language is the third most widely used language in the United States. Whereas, Deaf people do not feel that they are disabled in any way, where in fact we must recognize that deaf people can do anything except hear.
Whereas, 280 million people worldwide have moderate to profound hearing loss in both ears and 34 million Americans have significant hearing loss of these almost 6 million are profoundly deaf. Whereas, understanding the difference in the attitudinal approaches to being deaf or hard of hearing by the hearing public and by deaf or hard of hearing people themselves and for the hearing public to have a better understanding of deaf culture. Whereas, to learn about the types of educational programs and support services that are available to deaf and hard of hearing children. Now therefore, I, David Hawk, Mayor of Hawley, do hereby proclaim Sept. 25-30, 2011 as Deaf Awareness Week. And do encourage all residents of the community to support this worthy endeavor. Given under my hand this 25th Day of September 2011.”
The DeVoe family have an eight year old son, Thomas, who is deaf. He had a speech delay from a cleft platelet, and when the family found out he couldn’t hear right, he got fitted for hearing aids. The Scranton School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing were heavily involved and incorporated sign language.
“It is important to let people know that even though there are people who are deaf or hard of hearing, that they are capable of doing things,” says DeVoe. “ Thomas, is part of the deaf community that can do many things that anyone else can. He’s been part of the School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing since he was 2 1/2 years old. They were involved in early intervention and came to our house as part of a parent/infant program. The school has been involved with him since then.”
DeVoe also explains that the school has helped tremendously. She says that Thomas still has some speech delays, but they aren’t as bad as they were. She considers the school part of her family.
“It is wonderful to have a strong, supportive family to work with,” says Stefko. “It makes all the difference in the world. We all have a very nice relationship through Thomas.”
Stefko says the Scranton school is a new program, with its third year. The school was bought by the Western Pa School for the Deaf when there was a scare of the Scranton State school closure. The new campus has 100 acres to grow with.
“I was one of the paranoid parents during that scare,” says DeVoe. “I was worried about what would happen to Thomas if the school closed. When we found out that the western school bough it, my mind was at ease. I knew there would be a place for my son to be and that he wouldn’t be lost. As much as I believe in inclusion, Thomas can’t be in a regular mainstream class because he doesn’t fit into that environment. Kids come from all over and travel out to the Scranton School for the Deaf. It was a godsend the school was bought.”
DeVoe adds that it is great that the school can do so much for families. She says it’s a really great school and although there is a lot of travel involved, it is worth it.
“Thomas keeps his spirits high even with all the traveling. It’s tough for an eight year old to do, but he loves the school,” says DeVoe.
The Scranton School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing has dorms that are made to have as much of a home setting as possible. DeVoe says maybe Thomas will do that when he is a little older.
“I love the small class structure and there are great teachers, a gorgeous library and Thomas gets a lot of one on one attention,” she says.
To find out more or to enroll an individual in the Scranton School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, call (570) 585-1000.
“I encourage everyone to visit the school first to meet the staff, and then follow up with school districts,” says Stefko.
On Sept. 23, Hawley Mayor David Hawk signed a proclamation setting the week of Sept. 25-Sept. 30 Deaf Awareness Week. Lori DeVoe and her family, along with Mary Ann Stefko of Scranton School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, were present for the signing of the document.
The proclamation reads:
“Whereas, Sept. 25 through Sept. 30, 2011 is Deaf Awareness Week. Whereas, ninety three percent of deaf children are born into Hearing families, only seven percent are born into deaf families. Whereas, American sign language is the third most widely used language in the United States. Whereas, Deaf people do not feel that they are disabled in any way, where in fact we must recognize that deaf people can do anything except hear.
Whereas, 280 million people worldwide have moderate to profound hearing loss in both ears and 34 million Americans have significant hearing loss of these almost 6 million are profoundly deaf. Whereas, understanding the difference in the attitudinal approaches to being deaf or hard of hearing by the hearing public and by deaf or hard of hearing people themselves and for the hearing public to have a better understanding of deaf culture. Whereas, to learn about the types of educational programs and support services that are available to deaf and hard of hearing children. Now therefore, I, David Hawk, Mayor of Hawley, do hereby proclaim Sept. 25-30, 2011 as Deaf Awareness Week. And do encourage all residents of the community to support this worthy endeavor. Given under my hand this 25th Day of September 2011.”
The DeVoe family have an eight year old son, Thomas, who is deaf. He had a speech delay from a cleft platelet, and when the family found out he couldn’t hear right, he got fitted for hearing aids. The Scranton School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing were heavily involved and incorporated sign language.
“It is important to let people know that even though there are people who are deaf or hard of hearing, that they are capable of doing things,” says DeVoe. “ Thomas, is part of the deaf community that can do many things that anyone else can. He’s been part of the School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing since he was 2 1/2 years old. They were involved in early intervention and came to our house as part of a parent/infant program. The school has been involved with him since then.”
DeVoe also explains that the school has helped tremendously. She says that Thomas still has some speech delays, but they aren’t as bad as they were. She considers the school part of her family.
“It is wonderful to have a strong, supportive family to work with,” says Stefko. “It makes all the difference in the world. We all have a very nice relationship through Thomas.”
Stefko says the Scranton school is a new program, with its third year. The school was bought by the Western Pa School for the Deaf when there was a scare of the Scranton State school closure. The new campus has 100 acres to grow with.
“I was one of the paranoid parents during that scare,” says DeVoe. “I was worried about what would happen to Thomas if the school closed. When we found out that the western school bough it, my mind was at ease. I knew there would be a place for my son to be and that he wouldn’t be lost. As much as I believe in inclusion, Thomas can’t be in a regular mainstream class because he doesn’t fit into that environment. Kids come from all over and travel out to the Scranton School for the Deaf. It was a godsend the school was bought.”
DeVoe adds that it is great that the school can do so much for families. She says it’s a really great school and although there is a lot of travel involved, it is worth it.
“Thomas keeps his spirits high even with all the traveling. It’s tough for an eight year old to do, but he loves the school,” says DeVoe.
The Scranton School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing has dorms that are made to have as much of a home setting as possible. DeVoe says maybe Thomas will do that when he is a little older.
“I love the small class structure and there are great teachers, a gorgeous library and Thomas gets a lot of one on one attention,” she says.
To find out more or to enroll an individual in the Scranton School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, call (570) 585-1000.
“I encourage everyone to visit the school first to meet the staff, and then follow up with school districts,” says Stefko.