University of Pittsburgh - Owl Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

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 Deaf Awareness Day Silence Explodes Into Music he Silent world of the deaf and the hearing impaired exploded into music and laughter as Deaf Awareness Day got into action at the William Pitt Union. Hearing impairment and deafness afflict over 14 million Americans, and trying to blend in can be a major obstacle. Bruce Nisberg, chairman of Deaf Awareness Day, said, “We have to get the hearing community and the deaf community together so we can be friends. People look at us as though we are strange. We have to make it easier for us to fit in. Karen Walkney, along with her signing group Beautiful Hands, signed the lyrics and danced to the music of many songs, including the new song “We are the Children. Ken Meese, from television station KDKA, was the emcee for the day. He said that he had done public interest stories on the deaf before but never had the chance to perform at such an event before. Meese said he had met Walkney before but hadn't realized she was deef at first. He since has learned about Beautiful Hands and the current program at Pitt. “It's quite interesting that Pitt now offers the (sign) language as a foreign language. It opens up a whole new world now for students. Christmas Murphy, a Pitt junior, said I saw a poster for the sign club and it fit into my plans of special education so I just went to a meeting. Then I started taking the classes. Now a secondary English education major, she has been signing for about two years. Junior Mike Elliot, who is involved with the YMCA's Camp Get Together for Deaf Children, said “I just started taking the classes with Karen (Walkney). It's her program and it's interesting. by Jon Williams The Pill News photo IXivc Hookcr lV BEAUTIFUL HANDS performs in the William Pitt Union fall Room. ROBIN WOODS joins in with the rest of the members of Beautiful Hands to celebrate Deaf Awareness Day. Deaf Awareness Day ACTIVITIES

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NTOZAKF. SHANGE spoke at the William Pitt Union Assembly Room: a talented Black Expressionist in the Creative Arts. RUBY DEE inspired the audience at David Lawrence Auditorium during the 15th annual Black Week. GERTRUDE COLBERT enjoys the festivities of the week long celebration in Black Expression sponsored by the Black Action Society. Black Week ACTIVITIES

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UP UP AND AWAY on Deaf Awareness Day! This year's activities were kicked off with a hot air balloon. NORMAN WILLOW OF BEAUTIFUL HANDS signs to Frank Sinatra's NEW YORK, NEW YORK JEFF PANNEIR translates the lyrics of a popular song from English into American Sign Language.