Deaf Week Proclamation

The Mayor of Hawley, Pennsylvania has signed an order proclaiming this week Deaf Awareness Week. The small town is only about 40 miles east of the Scranton School for the Deaf. Here's the text of the proclamation:

“Whereas, Sept. 25 through Sept. 30, 2011 is Deaf Awareness Week. Whereas, ninety three percent of deaf children are born into Hearing families, only seven percent are born into deaf families. Whereas, American sign language is the third most widely used language in the United States. Whereas, Deaf people do not feel that they are disabled in any way, where in fact we must recognize that deaf people can do anything except hear. Whereas, 280 million people worldwide have moderate to profound hearing loss in both ears and 34 million Americans have significant hearing loss of these almost 6 million are profoundly deaf. Whereas, understanding the difference in the attitudinal approaches to being deaf or hard of hearing by the hearing public and by deaf or hard of hearing people themselves and for the hearing public to have a better understanding of deaf culture. Whereas, to learn about the types of educational programs and support services that are available to deaf and hard of hearing children. Now therefore, I, David Hawk, Mayor of Hawley, do hereby proclaim Sept. 25-30, 2011 as Deaf Awareness Week. And do encourage all residents of the community to support this worthy endeavor. Given under my hand this 25th Day of September 2011.”