Deaf Awareness Week in North Carolina is Sept. 21-27 as proclaimed by Gov. Pat McCrory. Its purpose is to increase public awareness of the issues and the culture of people who are Deaf.

It also presents the opportunity to promote equal access to information and services for Deaf individuals and to educate the public about misconceptions about being Deaf. The recognition also provides an opportunity to learn about the types of educational programs, support services and resources available to people who are Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing people.

Deaf Awareness Week was first celebrated by the World Federation of the Deaf in 1958 and commemorates the federation’s first congress, which took place in September 1951.

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, through its Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing and its seven regional centers, collaborates with Deaf members of local communities on various activities recognizing Deaf Awareness Week. For a list of activities, go to: http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dsdhh/events/events.htm. For more information about Deaf Awareness Week, go to: http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dsdhh/whatsnew/deaf_awareness.htm.

For more information on Deaf resources available in North Carolina, contact the Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Regional Center that serves your county: http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dsdhh/where.htm.

DSDHH is one of three DHHS divisions using social media and has a Facebook page: NC DHHS Division of Services for the Deaf & the Hard of Hearing.