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.
Virtual ASL Classes for Youth
The Greensburg Hempfield Area Library is pleased to offer an 8 week program in partnership with the Center for Hearing & Deaf Services. Our instructor Hannah Ahearn, a local college student who is Deaf, will teach the basics of Deaf culture and how to communicate using American Sign Language (ASL). Since we will be building on skills learned, please only register if you are able to commit to attending at least 7 of the 8 sessions. Please include your email when you register so that the staff can email you a link to participate in the program via Zoom. Families will be notified about when to pick up free instructional materials and a book for this program.
Youth, Ages 7-12: Thursdays, January 14-March 4 from 6-7pm
Teens (Ages 13+) and Adults: Thursdays, March 11 – April 29 from 6-7pm
For registration information and other details, please see the fliers:
Youth, Ages 7-12
Teens (Ages 13+) and Adults
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.