Admission is FREE and open to everyone, including Deaf community members!
The events for Deaf History Month at UVM will occur between March 12th through April 6th.
Short-list of Events:
Grab the poster and print (JPG, 5MB. PDF 1.7 MB) it, help us publicize the event! Be SURE to print on 11 x 17 landscape, and "print entire image" setting is chosen. Firefox does not seem to print it correctly.
ASL-English Interpreters will be provided at all of the events. If you are seeking additional accommodations, including, but not limited to Deaf-Blind interpreters or English real-time captioning, please email Hannah at ACCESS: intrpret@uvm.edu no later than March 1st. This deadline will ensure accommodation requests are met. We can accept requests after March 1st and we will do our best to meet those needs based on availability of services.
Detailed Info about the Events:
TUESDAY, MARCH 12th: KEYNOTE ADDRESS Almost every article or news segment about deaf people focuses on the nots: how the deaf person will never hear a sound, a crowd’s cheer, or a parent’s happy shouts. Or they talk about how wonderful it is that the deaf person can now hear again, or how hearing “signers” help them. Trudy Suggs takes an honest, in-depth look at the history of the media’s portrayal of deaf people through real-life examples. She also shares strategies and tips for reframing everyday perceptions of Deaf people and their community.
About Trudy:
Trudy Suggs, born Deaf to Deaf parents, began writing as a 10-year-old. After a long freelance career, she became the editor in chief of Silent News, a community newspaper. Among her most notable stories was an expose of a national print and television advertising campaign where a hearing woman falsely presented herself as a Deaf person to the Saturn Corporation.
Trudy has worked as an educator, administrator and editor. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Gallaudet University, and a master’s degree from University of Illinois-Chicago. She has served on numerous boards, including the National Association of the Deaf and the National Deaf Business Institute, and is a RID-certified deaf interpreter. Today, Trudy operates T.S. Writing Services (www.tswriting.com), and makes her home in Minnesota with her husband and their four children.
Topic of discussion: following up Trudy Suggs’ keynote speech on “The Media Mirror: Reflections of Reality.” All are welcome to share their perspectives, even if you were not able to attend Trudy’s keynote address. Free pizza will be provided!
Join us in an evening of ASL games amongst peers and ASL students. ASL Professors, TAs and ASL VI students will be your hosts which means a good time is guaranteed! Everyone is welcome, regardless of signing level and experience!
Join us for an evening of mime and storytelling at Brennan’s Pub at the University of Vermont. Students from ASL II, ASL IV, and ASL VI classes will perform ABC and Number stories, Visual Vernicular stories, Deaf jokes, and many more! Meanwhile, other students, interpreters, ASL pros, die-hards, and anyone who can sign are also encouraged to come on stage and give it a try! Those who do not know ASL or are not comfortable with signing in front of an audience can join us by being our audience members to witness the art of Deaf Culture in action. Food and drinks will be sold at Brennan’s Pub.
MONDAY, APRIL 1st: ASL FILM “SLOT”Synopsis:
A documentary crew gets together for a research project that will take them on a harrowing expedition through a remote desert full of narrow and treacherous slot canyons. Though the crew has been assembled, the purpose behind the project remains unknown to them except for two people: the project leader and the documentary producer. Once they get into the heart of slot canyons, an unforeseen life-threatening situation occurs that will test the depth of every person's primal nature: an instinct to survive in a truly unforgiving territory that is not only uncharted, but also may be supernatural in nature...
SATURDAY, APRIL 6th: Michelle BanksSynopsis:
This insightful work reveals the hardships and triumphs of two strong African-American women (Miz – deaf mother and Azealea – deaf daughter) that speak to the human condition and the search for love and understanding. The audience is pulled into a journey through the lives of these women as they prevail through their hardships, triumphs, and seemingly paralleled experiences. A clever dance of drama and humor, this play beautifully illustrates the two characters’ life experiences from the perspective of Black Deaf culture.
MICHELLE A. BANKS, a native of Washington, DC, is an award winning actress, writer, director, producer, choreographer, motivational speaker, and teacher. She has TV/movie appearances in SOUL FOOD, GIRLFRIENDS, STRONG MEDICINE, SEE WHAT I’M SAYING, and COMPENSATION. Michelle credits Jadolphus CW Fraser, an independent filmmaker, for introducing her to filmmaking and co-directing his feature debut, ALWAYS CHASING LOVE.
Michelle was chosen as one of 13 actors for NYC’s 2008 ABC Diversity Talent Showcase. She has appeared in plays such as BIG RIVER, FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF, and her one-woman show, REFLECTIONS OF A BLACK DEAF WOMAN.
Her other achievements include: Artistic Director of Onyx Theatre Company, sign master for Broadway plays, Arena Stage, and Centerstagae, director for stage plays such as GUYS and DOLLS, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, and Z: A CHRISTMAS STORY.
Michelle’s most recent works include dancing for Kankouran West African Dance Company, and producing/directing IN SIGHT AND SOUND: DE(A)F POETRY I. Currently, she and her business partner, Richard Graham are working on IN SIGHT AND SOUND: DE(A)F POETRY II and Richard’s one-man show.
