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http://www.wnep.com/news/countybycounty/wnep-lacka-signing-santa-hearing-impaired-children,0,5945596.story
The signs of Santa were made very clear for deaf children all across the Keystone state Monday in Scranton.
With a big smile, some quick hand movements, and a little technology, a deaf child from Lackawanna County was able to tell santa what he wants for Christmas.
At the Northeast Pennsylvania Center for Independent Living, it was the annual Signing Santa Claus.
It is an idea that began more than three years ago after a visit to see Santa.
"I saw kids sitting on Santa's lap and thought what would Santa do," said Dan Loftus of the Center for Independent Living.
What would Santa do if the girls and boys could not hear what he was saying to them because they were deaf?
Loftus decided to partner up with the deaf services department to start up the program.
Every year, the week before Christmas, children from all over the state can call in and speak in sign language to Santa through the internet.
"Since we had the technological capabilities to do it via the video response service, we thought we might be able to make an impact on some children who may not have been included in society," Loftus explained.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will speak to more than a hundred children across the state of Pennsylvania by the end of the week.
Loftus said children from all around the world call in as well.
He added this technology has helped youngsters feel much more of the Christmas spirit.
"It's nice to see their eyes light up because they just feel excluded so many other times throughout the year," Loftus said.
To schedule an appointment with the Signing Santa program call 1-866-563-8829 or send an email to tshaffer@nepacil.org.
The signs of Santa were made very clear for deaf children all across the Keystone state Monday in Scranton.
With a big smile, some quick hand movements, and a little technology, a deaf child from Lackawanna County was able to tell santa what he wants for Christmas.
At the Northeast Pennsylvania Center for Independent Living, it was the annual Signing Santa Claus.
It is an idea that began more than three years ago after a visit to see Santa.
"I saw kids sitting on Santa's lap and thought what would Santa do," said Dan Loftus of the Center for Independent Living.
What would Santa do if the girls and boys could not hear what he was saying to them because they were deaf?
Loftus decided to partner up with the deaf services department to start up the program.
Every year, the week before Christmas, children from all over the state can call in and speak in sign language to Santa through the internet.
"Since we had the technological capabilities to do it via the video response service, we thought we might be able to make an impact on some children who may not have been included in society," Loftus explained.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will speak to more than a hundred children across the state of Pennsylvania by the end of the week.
Loftus said children from all around the world call in as well.
He added this technology has helped youngsters feel much more of the Christmas spirit.
"It's nice to see their eyes light up because they just feel excluded so many other times throughout the year," Loftus said.
To schedule an appointment with the Signing Santa program call 1-866-563-8829 or send an email to tshaffer@nepacil.org.