GLIN==> Press release: Boater safety training expanded for Deaf families

PRESS RELEASE:  Immediate Use
February 3, 2010   
Contacts:          
Dave White, New York Sea Grant, 315-312-3042
Drew Wickham, Boating Industry Association of Upstate NY, 585-526-5460
Frieda Heckman and Maggie Russell, AURORA of CNY, 315-422-7263
 
Boater Safety Training Expanded for Deaf Families
 
Syracuse, NY ­ By request from the Deaf community the American Sign Language
(ASL)-facilitated boater safety training planned for Deaf youth at the
February 10-14, 2010 CNY Boat Show in Syracuse, NY, has been expanded to any
family with a Deaf member.

New York Sea Grant and the Boating Industry Association of Upstate New York
are partnering with AURORA of CNY to offer the training.

³This expansion makes the first-ever American Sign Language-facilitated
boater safety training a bilingual, bicultural opportunity for our Deaf
community,² says Maggie Russell, director of AURORA of CNY¹s Marjorie Clere
Interpreter Referral Service.

Bilingual, bicultural is the terminology for opportunities that integrate
hearing and Deaf/Hard of Hearing persons and bring together individuals who
communicate through spoken English and ASL.

³We are excited to respond to calls from the Deaf community to open the
boater safety training to Deaf families, including the children of Deaf
adults (CODAs),² Russell says. ³Each family interested in participating must
have one Deaf member who will attend the classes that begin at the Central
New York Boat Show next week and finish later in the month at our 518 James
Street offices.² 

New York Sea Grant will teach the course with ASL interpreters from AURORA
of CNY signing the Deaf Boater Safety Certification instruction now expanded
for a multiple-age group.

³New York Sea Grant is pleased to partner with Aurora, the Boating Industry
Association of Upstate New York and the Central New York Boat Show to teach
this training that will bring the hearing and non-hearing communities,
family members and youth together and will enable all the participants to
safely operate a boat on New York¹s waters,² says class instructor and New
York Sea Grant Recreation & Tourism Specialist Dave White.

Youth ages 10-17 must have a certificate to legally operate a boat alone in
New York State waters.

The Deaf Boater Safety Certification course will be held in four 5:30-7:30pm
sessions, starting Wednesday, February 10 and Friday, February 12 in the
Horticulture Building Seminar Room at the New York State Fairgrounds in
Syracuse. The series will conclude with Wednesday, February 24 and Friday,
February 26 sessions at the AURORA offices at 518 James Street, Syracuse.
Each registered individual will receive three free admission passes to the
Central New York Boat Show.

Pre-registration for the limited free seating for the course is required.
Register with AURORA of CNY by phone: 315-422-7263, videophone with Maggie
Russell at 315-679-4170 or videophone with Director of Deaf Services Frieda
Heckman at 315-679-4169.

For more information, contact New York Sea Grant Oswego office at
315-312-3042, www.nysgextension.org.
# # #

AURORA of CNY, 518 James St, Syracuse, NY; provides professional Sign
Language interpreting; predicts that by age 55, one of every three
individuals has some degree of hearing loss. Director of Deaf Services
Frieda Heckman, Interpreter Referral Service Director Maggie Russell, phone:
315-422-7263, videophone: 315-422-7263, TTY/TDD phone: 315-422-9746, email:
auroracny at auroraofcny.org, web: www.auroracny.org
 
New York Sea Grant: one of the largest extension programs in the National
Sea Grant network. New York Sea Grant educators & specialists work with
shoreline stakeholders to conduct research and outreach to facilitate
understanding, appreciation and use of NY¹s Great Lakes shoreline¹s natural
and recreational resources; find offices on SUNY campuses in Oswego,
Brockport and Buffalo. Contact: Dave White, 315-312-3042; web:
www.nysgextension.org <http://www.nysgextension.org>
 
Boating Industry Association of Upstate New York informs the public of
federal & state boating rules/regulations for using NY¹s freshwaters,
including Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence River, Finger Lakes, and Historic Erie
Canal system. Annual February CNY Boat Show in Syracuse is among Association
programs. Contact: CNY Boat Show & Sales Manager Drew Wickham, 315-447-9286;
web: www.cnybia.org <http://www.cnybia.org>
 
The Central New York Boat Show is New York State¹s largest & oldest boat
show with more than 500 power and sail boats, yachts, water recreation
equipment and marine accessories.
Show Hours:  1-9 pm Wed, February 10; Thurs, February 11; Fri, February 12;
10 am-8 pm Sat, February 13; and 10 am-5 pm Sun, February 14. Show
Admission: $9/person; children under 12 free. Free parking/parking lot
shuttles. More info: www.cnyboatshow.com <http://www.cnyboatshow.com>
 
Note:  See www.nysgextension.org for the 1/11/10 ASL-signed press release
for the deaf youth training.
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