Event Features Activities For Deaf Students

News Release: From: Daviess County Public Schools ‘Hands Alive’ event is March 14 Event features variety of activities for deaf and hard-of-hearing students The third annual “Hands Alive” fair is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 14, at Brescia University. Teachers of the deaf from across the region organized this event, with support from the River Region and Caveland Co-Ops, Brescia University, and local businesses and individuals. Deaf and hard-of-hearing students in grades preschool through 12th grade will attend this event. The students are from across western Kentucky, including Daviess County, Owensboro, Warren County, Grayson County, Hancock County and Paducah. In addition to students, the event will also be attended by school staff members who work with deaf and hard-of-hearing students; family members; and deaf community members. The fair will include game booths, arts and crafts, team building activities and carnival games. This year’s storytelling will be performed by Benjamin Bahan, an internationally renowned deaf storyteller who is currently a professor at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. He is an author, researcher and presenter on issues related to Deaf Studies. Hands Alive is privileged to have him in attendance this year. “Often times, students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing are isolated either at school or at home, never meeting another child like themselves,” said Heidi Givens, teacher of the deaf and hard-of-hearing at Country Heights Elementary School. “This event is our way of getting all these students together, to form bonds and to learn from each other.” Givens said most of the volunteers working at this event will be deaf and hard-of-hearing adults, which will provide additional inspiration to the students attending. “Besides meeting other students like themselves, they will also meet adults from various careers,” she said. “These children will be able to see what their potential could be.” The Hands Alive event will conclude with an evening of American Sign Language storytelling by Mr. Bahan at Apollo High School Friday evening 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. This event is open to the public.