Deaf Adult Services (DAS) has been serving the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community in Buffalo for 19 years, and seeks to become a larger community resource in WNY. Deaf Adult Services is kicking off their public awareness campaign with a fundraiser designed to bring some summer fun to Buffalo. Proceeds from this event will go to support current and expanded services at DAS.
Throughout the past 19 years, DAS has unified the region’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing community and built bridges with the hearing community. DAS offers all services to clients in American Sign Language (ASL), making them our region’s only provider of this critical service. Providing services in ASL directly benefits clients, creating a safe and comfortable environment. Job placement is a pivotal service offered. Many success stories have come out of DAS, with clients landing jobs at Wegmans, Make-N-Mold, Pearl Street Brewery and Donatello Home Services.
DAS wants to engage the WNY community at large through a fun event to introduce itself to the public
The Winter SUMMERFEST will be held on February 17th, 2012 at the Tri Main Center from 5:30 pm to 8pm. This year’s theme is “Buffalo Backyard BBQ” including food, drinks, and games of a Buffalo summer. This first time event features door prizes, games, a basket raffle, 50-50 raffle, ice cream table, and much more. Tickets cost only $25 and can be purchased through Emily Tennant-Koller at emily@wnydas.org, at the DAS office, or via DAS’ website at www.wnydas.org.
This event will help DAS with their next steps of growth, which include the creation of a volunteer program and physical expansion of its office in the Tri Main Center. The need is great, and as the only provider in town, DAS has seen a large increase in the diversity of its clients. New immigrants and refugees are arriving daily, and services are needed for the region’s aging Deaf community which is currently largely underserved. DAS has experienced a surge in its senior citizen-age individuals, and younger Deaf clients are coming in with additional disabilities and chronic unemployment issues. DAS needs help continuing Buffalo’s legacy to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities, and asks that the WNY community support its vital services.
In 1993, a group of committed volunteers interested in the welfare of the Deaf community set up Deaf Adult Services as a non-profit organization. DAS continues to be the only agency of its kind serving Western New York. Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Hearing staff work to provide a diverse, inclusive environment for individuals receiving services.
DAS strives to create bridges between the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Hearing communities. We achieve this through services that promote equal access such as advocacy, education, employment, and interpreting. DAS encourages self-sufficiency, empowering the Deaf community through supportive leadership. Our programs are culturally and linguistically appropriate, giving clients the best possible services while ensuring equal communication access.
For more information, to become a sponsor or to purchase tickets, contact Emily at 833-1637, ext 105.
