Deaf Empowerment Program Celebrates 30 Years
"The Deaf Empowerment Program has achieved amazing success over the past 30 years at Mohawk College. This significant milestone demonstrates our faculty and staff's impact in supporting our students' success. Seeing our current students, alumni, former faculty, and administrators tell stories of their experiences was truly magical.", said Emily Ecker, Associate Dean, Centre for Community Partnerships & Experiential Learning.
It was a celebration as Mohawk College acknowledged 30 years of the Deaf Empowerment Program (DEP) on September 22nd in the Joyce Centre for Partnerships and Innovation.
The DEP program has supported students by teaching students through American Sign Language for adults who are deaf, deafened, or hard of hearing.
"We are so proud of the passion and dedication of our DEP students, past and present, and the commitment of our DEP team, who have created an environment for our students to learn, grow, and move on to further education or employment. Thank you to the team and Mohawk College for your ongoing support. We look forward to creating new and innovative opportunities for Deaf and hard-of-hearing learners.", said Emily.
Mohawk College also has a free Academic Upgrading Deaf Empowerment Program (AU DEP) that offers adults the opportunity to upgrade their math, reading, and writing skills and primary computer and employability skills.
Featured in photo, Evan-Wyatt Le Lievre, Professor DEP and Lead Organizer
For more information: Mohawk College Deaf Empowerment Program
To learn more about deaf culture and some of the barriers members of the deaf/deaf and hard-of-hearing community face when it comes to finding employment, have watch/listen to The Career Foundation's Empowering Abilities (EAP) team who spoke with Patrick Cross, Professor and Program Coordinator for The Deaf Empowerment Program.
The EAP Team also explores how Patrick has become an advocate for the deaf/deaf and hard of hearing community and further discusses his role with the Deaf Empowerment Program at Mohawk College.