For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, it can be hard to communicate at different events. Local organizers are making sure their event is accessible for all.
DALTON, Pa. — When most people go to an event, they don’t have to think twice about looking around.
But for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, it can be a challenge.
Nicole and Mark Miller are part of the deaf community and said it can be hard to communicate at different events.
“We go to so many festivals, and we go around but we never had a way to communicate with the vendors,” Nicole said.
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That was until Farm to Family Fest hit Dalton.
The event is in its fourth year, and organizers work to make it inclusive for people who can’t hear.
It’s a day that will have tons of vendors and different presentations aimed at teaching about agriculture.
“To enjoy connection to community. ASL interpreters will be here and we can interact with them. Making connections with everyone, with the community, and our ASL, our language,” Mark said.
The festival includes vendors, activities, and different demonstrations.
“We have deaf children. And we can bring them. We can bring them here to this event. And our kids can be interested in learning something new and not being bored. Because they can communicate,” Nicole said.
Nicole said at other festivals, she watches the demonstrations but misses parts of the information because of the communication barrier.
“We’d walk by something, we wouldn’t buy anything because we really didn’t know what was going on there, the kids didn’t know about it. There was no understanding. When we come here, oh we understand so much more with the interpreter’s help,” Nicole said.
The event is Saturday, September 19th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Streamside Park in Dalton.