International Week of the Deaf 2012
Every year in the last full week of September, people around the world participate in activities that aim to increase awareness of
issues facing deaf and hard-of-hearing people—International Week of the Deaf.
Gallaudet University estimates that there are around 1 million people in the United States who are functionally deaf, relying upon lip reading or
using American Sign Language to communicate. Many of these deaf people belong to the US Deaf community, are proud of their deafness and their sign
language. They have their own language and culture, existing as a linguistic minority group within mainstream society.
International Week of the Deaf at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign aims to promote awareness of local and national Deaf
communities, and to highlight the importance of American Sign Language and the abilities of Deaf people. The focus is on what Deaf people can do,
and not upon what they cannot do. We have planned public lectures, a movie screening, and fundraising activities that we hope will raise awareness
of deaf people, their culture, and their language. All funds raised will be divided between the Illini Chapter of the Illinois Association of the
Deaf (Champaign-Urbana, IL) and Illinois School for the Deaf (Jacksonville, IL).
Matt Dye, Assistant Professor, Speech and Hearing Science Susan Weiss, ASL
Instructor, Speech and Hearing Science Donald Haring, ASL Instructor, Speech
and Hearing Science Michael Mehlick, President, American Sign Language
Club
Read How to Sponsor a Student on Silent Day!
Events
Monday, 24 September
Tuesday, 25 September
Wednesday, 26 September
Thursday, 27 September
Friday, 28 September
Saturday, 29 September
Monday 24 September
"The Changing Lives of Deaf People: The Impact of Legal and Technological Innovations"
Speaker: John Miller, Director, Illinois Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Commission
Discussion Panel: M.T. Hudson (Assistant ADE/EEO Coordinator), Marion Dramin (Outreach Manager, Illinois Telecommunication Access Corporation),
Tina Childress (Audiologist, Illinois School for the Deaf)
Location: Lincoln Hall 1000
Time: 7-9 PM
John Miller is Director of the Illinois Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Commission, appointed by the Governor to act on behalf of the interests
of deaf and hard-of-hearing people in Illinois. After Mr. Miller's presentation, he will moderate a panel discussion and welcome questions
from the audience. Admission is free. ASL/English interpretation will be provided."
Tuesday 25 September
See What I'm Saying
Location: Digital Computer Lab 1320
Time: 6-8 PM
We are pleased to host a screening of the acclaimed and award-winning documentary See What I'm Saying,
directed by Hilari Scarl. The documentary follows the
lives and struggles of four deaf performers as they struggle to take their art to "mainstream" audiences. We are grateful to the
Department of Speech and Hearing Science and the College of Fine
and Applied Arts for their sponsorship.
Tickets are $5 and seating is limited. All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the
Illini Chapter of the Illinois Association of the Deaf and
to the Illinois Foundation for Deaf Children.
Tickets are available in advance from the Department for Speech and Hearing Science main office
(jfleener@illinois.edu) or from Susan Dramin-Weiss
of the Illini Chapter of the IAD (sdramin@illinois.edu). Any remaining tickets will be available on the door.
Wednesday 26 September
Silent Day
Location: All over campus
Time: 9 AM - 5 PM
On Silent Day, UIUC students will be seeking sponsorship to remain silent from 9 AM until 5 PM in the evening. This will require them to
avoid speaking (including on cell phones) and to communicate using only sign language, gesture, and writing! The purpose is to raise awareness
of the communication issues that deaf and hard-of-hearing people face every day, and to raise money for the
Illini Chapter of the Illinois Association of the Deaf and for the
Illinois Foundation for Deaf Children.On Silent Day, the Altgeld Hall bells will remain silent, and we are hoping to be able to silence
classroom bells across campus too.
Friends and family can sponsor a student! Every dollar makes a big difference!
Sponsor a Student!
Click on 'FUNDRAISE FOR THIS EVENT.' This will allow you to create your own fundraising page (linked to the Silent Day 2012 event)
and reach out to friends and family.
Thursday 27 September
"The Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Alice Cogswell Statue: Subjects, Sculptor, and Provenance."
Speaker: Rev. William Dimock Newell
Location: Lincoln 1002
Time: 6.30-7.30 PM
Bill Newell was born in Hartford CT and attended the American School for the Deaf, before attending Gallaudet University and graduating
in 1971. He has been a resident of Champaign for 30 years, and was a charter member of the Illini Chapter of the Illinois Association of
the Deaf when it was founded in 1987.
The Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and the Alice Cogswell Statue is located inside the north entrance of the University Library. Rev. Newell
will discuss the subjects of the statue itself, how it ended up in Champaign-Urbana, and whether or not is should remain in its present
location. Questions from the audience will be welcomed. Admission is free. ASL/English interpretation will be provided.
Friday 28 September
Bake Sale
Location: Outside south entrance to Illini Union
Time: 11 AM - 2 PM
A range of cakes and pastries will be on sale, with all proceeds going to the
Illini Chapter of the Illinois Association of the Deaf and
to the Illinois Foundation for Deaf Children. Discounts will be available for
those who order using sign language or gesture!
Saturday 29 September
Penn State @ Illinois
Location: Memorial Stadium
Time: TBD
Deaf children from Illinois School for the Deaf will perform the National Anthem in American Sign Language alongside the Marching Illini!
Please come along to the game to show your support for the children. Remember to applaud their performance by waving your hands and not by clapping!