Rochester Deaf Awareness Week 2025

Rochester Deaf Awareness Week 2025 Exciting news: the last week of September 2025 is officially Rochester Deaf Awareness Week (RDAW)! It's also recognized as International Week for the Deaf.

RDAW aims to shine a spotlight on Deaf individuals, their achievements, and their challenges. Deaf Awareness Week was established in Colorado in 1972 to honor and recognize the achievements of deaf individuals. This initiative aimed to challenge negative stereotypes and increase awareness of the diverse experiences of those with varying levels of hearing loss. By informing local communities and wo

rkplaces about the significant deaf population, the project successfully raised awareness at both local and state levels. By 1975, governors and mayors nationwide had officially declared Deaf Awareness Week. In 1984, Tom Holcomb and the Rochester Civic Association of the Deaf, Inc. (RCAD) organized the first Rochester Deaf Awareness Week (RDAW) in Rochester, New York. RDAW has been led by different individuals over the years, including Jackie Schertz in 1986, Susan Demers in 1999, 2000, and 2002, Matthew Starr in 2004 and 2006, Steve Lovi in 2008 (co-chair with Matthew Starr in 2010), Robert Tawney in 2012 and 2016, and Dean DeRusso and Walt Genther as co-chairs in 2014, and Fred Beam in 2018.

05/16/2025

Time elapsed Deaf Rochester Community

Address

Rochester, NY
146XX (14604=DOWNTOWN)

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Rochester Deaf Awareness Week 2025 posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Establishment

Send a message to Rochester Deaf Awareness Week 2025:

Share