BUFFALO, N.Y. — The month of September is nationally recognized as Deaf Awareness Month.
Now, Mayor Bryon Brown and his Office of Diversity, Opportunity and Inclusion have proclaimed the week of Thursday, Sept. 19 through Sunday, Sept. 29 Deaf Awareness Week in the City of Buffalo.
Throughout the eight days of events, Mayor Brown and his office plan to share the importance of Buffalo’s Deaf community and highlight continued efforts to support programs and initiatives to make Buffalo more inclusive.
“Every Buffalo resident deserves full access to all aspects of life in the city, and that includes the Deaf, Deaf-Blind, Hard of Hearing and Hearing Loss community," Mayor Brown said. "I want to thank our city’s first ADA Advocate, Brittney Montgomery, for the work she does to help raise awareness about Deaf issues, people, and culture as part of our city’s continued effort to build a more inclusive and more just community.”
Pamela Rohring, the ASL instructor at St. Mary's School for the Deaf, said the annual celebration is important for her students and their family.
"Really, Deaf Awareness Week, the whole month is special, and this week we focus on people all over our nation, recognizing and honoring Deaf Awareness Week. Deaf people, the children, pride within the community. Just like Hispanic Month, different holidays that we honor, Black History Month. It's the same idea," Rohring said.
The students at the school celebrate throughout the week with one another, reading a book by a deaf author. Rohring said that gives students a role model within their community.
"Our students have their own values through Saint Mary's and when those students go home, their parents their families might be hearing and they don't have those same values as the deaf community," Rohring said.
Deaf Awareness Week in Buffalo will feature a special glass display in the lobby of Buffalo City Hall showcasing unique artifacts from Deaf Access Services about Deaf history. The display will be open to the public beginning Monday, Sept. 23.
Buffalo City Hall will also light up in recognition of Deaf Awareness Week.
The colors of the building are symbolic: Turquoise blue represents the deaf community and Sign Language, pride and unity; Yellow represents the color of light; Dark blue represents the earth, humanity and living in accordance with the planet.
A full list of activities and event for Deaf Awareness Week in Buffalo include the following:
- Thursday, September 19
- Buffalo Bisons ‘Deaf & Hard of Hearing Awareness Night’
- 6:05 PM (gates open at 5 PM)
- Tickets: $21.20
- Friday, September 20
- Deaf Flag Raising Ceremony/Deaf Awareness Week Kickoff
- Rath Building/95 Franklin/Noon
- Saturday, September 21
- 2024 Buffalo Walk4Hearing
- Delaware Park (84 Parkside Avenue)
- Registration begins at 9 AM
- Saturday & Sunday, September 21 & 22
- Deaf Awareness Weekend at the Aquarium of Niagara
- The weekend includes sign 9 AM – 5 PM
- Tuesday, September 24
- Fundraiser for St. Mary’s School for the Deaf Alumni and Class of 2026
- The Boulevard Shopping Center, 1595 Niagara Falls Blvd.
- 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- For more information, go to blazepizza.com or Blaze Pizza App with PROMO CODE: 1263A
- Wednesday, September 25
- St. Mary’s School for the Deaf Volleyball & Soccer Game
- 1595 Niagara Falls Blvd/3:30 PM
- Thursday, September 26
- St. Mary’s School for the Deaf Bingo Event
- 2253 Main Street/6:00 PM
- Friday, September 27
- ASL Happy Hour-ASL Buffalo
- Community Beer Works/520 Seventh Street/5:00 PM