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Santa brings signs of the season to deaf students - Beacon News
Among Santa’s many gifts is his ability to communicate with all children, no matter the language. That talent was on display Wednesday night as the jolly elf took gift requests via sign language.
More than 100 hearing- and vision-impaired children were guests of honor to meet with Santa at a special party in Aurora. This is the sixth year the Aurora Noon Lions Club has hosted the holiday party for children with special needs.
Nine year-old Alan thought the visit with Santa was extra special.
“I want an iPhone and PlayStation games,” he told Santa via sign language.
Alan’s mother does not speak English so the young boy can sign in both English and Spanish and communicates that way every day.
Interpreter Jeanne McDonald, a special education instructor, said the visit with Santa and other children who share their same challenges is perfect for this time of year.
“This event allows the children to socialize with other children who have the same limitations,” she said. “The social aspect is very important. Sometimes these children are home-schooled or are the only hearing-impaired student in the classroom. This lets them hang out with children they can easily communicate with.”
A group of children presented Santa with a special gift. They used sign language to sing “Merry Christmas” with the help of classmates. McDonald said she taught her students how to do that last week in anticipation of the party.
After the performance, Adrian Garcia, 10, told Santa he wanted an iPhone and computer games. McDonald said many of the hearing-impaired want phones so that they can text with friends.
“It is one way they can communicate,” she said.
Attendance at the annual holiday party has increased each year, according to Kathy Reuter, the Northwestern Illinois Association supervisor of hearing services.
Santa — who bore a striking resemblance to Dan Basalone, a man who has been hearing-impaired since his youth — used sign language to communicate.
“Playing Santa gives me great joy,” Santa said via his McDonald.
Santa advised the children to continue to stay on the “nice” list. Then he had to get back to the North Pole. He had many electronic games and phones to get finished before his big night.
“This has brought me a lot of enjoyment and happiness,” he signed to the crowd.
All students invited to the event are served by NIA, serving children with autism, hearing impairment and vision impairment from birth to age 21. Those at the party were invited along with their parents and immediate family members and are from the East and West Aurora, Burlington and Central school districts.
Among Santa’s many gifts is his ability to communicate with all children, no matter the language. That talent was on display Wednesday night as the jolly elf took gift requests via sign language.
More than 100 hearing- and vision-impaired children were guests of honor to meet with Santa at a special party in Aurora. This is the sixth year the Aurora Noon Lions Club has hosted the holiday party for children with special needs.
Nine year-old Alan thought the visit with Santa was extra special.
“I want an iPhone and PlayStation games,” he told Santa via sign language.
Alan’s mother does not speak English so the young boy can sign in both English and Spanish and communicates that way every day.
Interpreter Jeanne McDonald, a special education instructor, said the visit with Santa and other children who share their same challenges is perfect for this time of year.
“This event allows the children to socialize with other children who have the same limitations,” she said. “The social aspect is very important. Sometimes these children are home-schooled or are the only hearing-impaired student in the classroom. This lets them hang out with children they can easily communicate with.”
A group of children presented Santa with a special gift. They used sign language to sing “Merry Christmas” with the help of classmates. McDonald said she taught her students how to do that last week in anticipation of the party.
After the performance, Adrian Garcia, 10, told Santa he wanted an iPhone and computer games. McDonald said many of the hearing-impaired want phones so that they can text with friends.
“It is one way they can communicate,” she said.
Attendance at the annual holiday party has increased each year, according to Kathy Reuter, the Northwestern Illinois Association supervisor of hearing services.
Santa — who bore a striking resemblance to Dan Basalone, a man who has been hearing-impaired since his youth — used sign language to communicate.
“Playing Santa gives me great joy,” Santa said via his McDonald.
Santa advised the children to continue to stay on the “nice” list. Then he had to get back to the North Pole. He had many electronic games and phones to get finished before his big night.
“This has brought me a lot of enjoyment and happiness,” he signed to the crowd.
All students invited to the event are served by NIA, serving children with autism, hearing impairment and vision impairment from birth to age 21. Those at the party were invited along with their parents and immediate family members and are from the East and West Aurora, Burlington and Central school districts.