Celebrating Our Stars during Deaf Awareness Week!
Deaf Awareness Week at Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (ASDB) in Tucson was a lively celebration, filled with events highlighting Deaf culture, community engagement, and American Sign Language (ASL). This annual tradition, meant to increase awareness and understanding of Deaf culture, brought together students, families, and community members for a series of exciting activities.
Monday: ASL Film
The week kicked off with a screening of an ASL Film at the Berger Performing Arts Center (BPAC) from 3:30-7:00 p.m. The movie, which was shown for free, provided an entertaining and accessible evening, allowing Deaf and hearing audiences alike to enjoy a film fully signed in ASL.
Tuesday: 3rd Annual K-12 ASL Contest
The spotlight on students came on Tuesday evening with the 3rd Annual K-12 ASL Contest, held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the BPAC. This free event showcased the talents of students from various schools in the area, who performed poetry, stories, and skits, all in ASL. The contest was a great platform for students to develop their language skills while embracing Deaf culture and sharing it with their families and the community.
Friday: Deaf Mentor Program Paint Night & Justin Perez Performance
By Friday, Deaf Awareness Week reached its creative peak with a Deaf Mentor Program Paint Night from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at ASDB’s café. Though registration had already closed, those who signed up got the chance to express themselves artistically while engaging with the Deaf Mentor Program.
Later that night, the excitement continued in the ASDB Gym with a special performance by Justin Perez, a well-known Deaf entertainer, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. His performance was one of the few ticketed events of the week, priced at just $5, making it an affordable and exciting evening of entertainment.
Saturday: Closing Ceremony
The week wrapped up on Saturday with the Tucson Deaf Awareness Week Closing Ceremony, an all-day event running from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at ASDB. The ceremony featured a variety of activities, performances, and booths showcasing local Deaf organizations, businesses, and resources. It was the perfect way to end a week of education, connection, and celebration, leaving everyone with a deeper understanding of the richness of Deaf culture.
Deaf Awareness Week at ASDB Tucson was a huge success, bringing together the Deaf and hearing communities to celebrate and learn. This annual event continues to be a cornerstone for spreading awareness and building stronger connections within the Tucson community. We look forward to seeing what next year’s celebration will bring!
#ASDBPride#ASLContest#DeafAwarenessWeek#StudentSuccess#EducationInAction
Alt-text: Attached are galleries of the different events that happened over the week.
