The Deaf Youth Program (DYP) provides opportunities for area deaf and hard of hearing youth to interact socially with their peers and with members of the Deaf community. Through the program, youth can participate in a variety of weekend recreational and cultural activities. The DYP attempts to break down communication barriers by offering American Sign Language classes to families and friends of deaf or hard of hearing youth. In addition, the DYP offers occasional educational workshops and solicits ideas and feedback by hosting annual open meetings with a DYP advisory committee. In an on-going effort to keep deaf youth and their families informed as well as to promote deaf awareness, the DYP publishes informative monthly Bulletins and collaborates with other local deaf related organizations.
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE CLASSES
Each fall and spring, the DYP offers levels I and II American Sign Language classes for families and friends of youth who are deaf or hard of hearing. These non-credit classes are inexpensive, informal, and set in a variety of locations throughout the Pittsburgh area. Each class aims to improve communication between deaf youth and their hearing family and friends and to foster understanding of Deaf Culture. Each class meets one evening per week for 10 weeks for 90 minutes sessions. The classes are taught by a deaf adult whose primary mode of communication is ASL.
WEEKEND ACTIVITIES
In an effort to satisfy a wide range of interests, the Deaf Youth Program organizes a different group activity each weekend. Activities that are regularly scheduled include:
Recreational Activities
- Bowling
- Ice Skating
- Roller Skating
- Swimming
- Miniature Golfing
- Pirates Baseball Games
- Seasonal Activities
Cultural Activities
- Attending open captioned movies
- Attending ASL interpreted theater performances
- Touring local museums and historical centers
- Providing ASL interpreted children’s storytelling
The DYP collaborates with other organizations in a variety of local deaf-related events and disseminates pertinent information on upcoming activities of interest within the deaf and hard of hearing communities.
Organizations include:
- The Pittsburgh Association of the Deaf
- The University of Pittsburgh
- Western PA School for the Deaf
- The Pressley Ridge Schools
- The Greater Pittsburgh Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
- The PA Society for the Advancement of the Deaf
For More Information
The DYP publishes free monthly Bulletins to inform interested individuals of upcoming activities, disseminate pertinent information on events within the deaf and hard of hearing communities, and offer referral services. If you or someone you know could benefit from this Program, please contact program staff by calling 412-281-1375 voice/tty or Email Us.