Museum & Science Center > Programs & Events
Deaf Culture Day
This collaborative event with NTID provides an accessible and exciting Deaf (and Hard of Hearing)-centered day. Join us for a celebration of Deaf Culture and STEM achievements, and programming for all ages!
About
Deaf Culture Day at the RMSC, in collaboration with NTID, provides an accessible & friendly Deaf (and Hard of Hearing) experience at the RMSC Museum & Science Center! Join us for a celebration of Deaf Culture and STEM achievements with tabling from local Deaf community organizations.
Interpreting services will be provided pro bono by students in the Bachelor of Science in Interpreting program at Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf throughout the day as a part of this collaboration. This event provides NTID student interpreters with hands-on experience as required by their programs.
If you would like to request a professional interpreter or DeafBlind interpreter, please reach out to our Guest Services team at 585.271.4320 or info@rmsc.org.
Programs & Activities will include:
🤝 Meet and greets with local deaf professionals in STEM
⚕️ Get hands-on with ultrasound scanning opportunities with NTID Youth Programs & Deaf Hub
🦫 Experience a docent-led animal touch table
🧠 Join NTID Play Lab for a Brainy Day at the RMSC: Enjoy coloring activities, build a neuron, and learn about your amazing brain!
📚 STEM-tastic Storytime with Rochester School for the Deaf
👋 Receive free interpretation by student interpreters from NTID.
➕ And more!
Learn more
What is Deaf Culture?
Deaf culture is the set of social beliefs, behaviors, art, literary traditions, history, values, and shared institutions of communities that are influenced by deafness, which use sign languages as the main means of communication.
what is the deaf community?
The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) states that “Deaf culture is at the heart of Deaf communities everywhere in the world. Each Deaf community is a cultural group that shares a sign language and a common heritage. Members of Deaf communities all around the world therefore identify themselves as members of a cultural and linguistic group.”
An important aspect of Deaf culture is self-identification and personal choice. Family members of a Deaf person, sign language interpreters, and those who identify with Deaf culture and socialize within the community may be part of the community. WFD states: “A person is a member of the Deaf community if he or she self-identifies as a member of the Deaf community and if other members accept that person as a member.”
What is the difference between little d and big d “Deaf”?
How someone identifies is centered around self-identification, but below are some distinctions between the two:
Someone who identifies as Deaf represents someone who is part of the Deaf community centered around communication using sign language.
Alternatively, deaf with the lowercase d refers to people with any degree of hearing loss.
Is sign language universal?
A common misconception is that sign language is universal, but this is false. Different countries each have their own sign languages.
Additional resources
The Hidden History of “Hand Talk”/Plains Sign Language
Sponsors & Thank yous
A huge thank you to NTID for their collaboration and support OF this event!
About The Event
Pricing
*Members can register in advance by calling 585.271.4320 to receive their member discount.
If you would like to request a professional interpreter or DeafBlind interpreter, please reach out to our Guest Services team at 585.271.4320 or info@rmsc.org.