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New Classes Open to All—Also Seeking Volunteers
School is back for everyone—and DAS has some openings in their free “Literacy and Life Skills” adult education classes.
Classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm . Students can join at any time. The class focuses on job searching, career planning, social skills for the workplace and other methods for success. Field trips to interesting local landmarks are held frequently.
Current and previous students have achieved major milestones due to their participation in class—including job promotions, obtaining drivers permits/licenses and other positive successes.
Come down and join us, Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:00 am-1:00 pm! For more information, contact clopresti@wnydas.org.
We are also seeking volunteers to help with classes contact clopresti@wnydas.org for more information.
National Association for the Deaf (NAD) Pushes New York State to Change Language

In late August, New York became the third American state to eliminate the term "hearing impaired" from state law when Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation that was advanced by the National Association for the Deaf (NAD).

The bill , signed on August 24th, changes all references in state law from "hearing impaired" to "Deaf or Hard of Hearing."

The National Association of the Deaf advocated for new language—maintaining that "hearing impaired" has a negative connotation that "focuses on what people can’t do."

Howard Rosenblum, CEO of the National Association for the Deaf, said the legislation is important because the Deaf or Hard of Hearing community, which "has never felt 'impaired' has always sought to ensure that society understands our identity."

New York follows Utah and New Hampshire, which have previously passed similar laws striking the term from their books.

The legislation was sponsored by Sen. Terrence Murphy, R-Yorktown, Westchester County, and Assemblyman Steve Englebright, D-Suffolk County. The Assembly passed the bill in March, with the Senate following the next month.

“Advocates and members of our community who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing find the labeling of 'hearing impaired' to be offensive," Senator Murphy said in a statement. "Our neighbors who suffer from Deafness or hearing issues are not broken or impaired but just the opposite.

"By using the correct terminology New York State will now acknowledge and remove any stigma associated with the Deaf,” Murphy added.

There were at least 25 references to "hearing impaired" or "impairment" in state law prior to Cuomo signing the bill.   With this topic being commonly advocated for with members of the community and members of the staff at Deaf Access Services, this is a positive change that we are happy to see finally happen. 

Some information taken from the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle


CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION about DAS:
(716) 833-1637