Yavapai College will hold a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Awareness Expo on Thurs., Nov. 12, 2009 in the YC Prescott Campus Library Community Room (Building #19, Room 147) from 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Robb Ferguson, Yavapai College Disability Resource Coordinator, hopes to bring a greater awareness to the services and resources available to Yavapai County residents.

"Most of us don’t think much about our ability to hear, but when that ability is diminished or lost, it can have a profound impact on our lives and those around us. We hope that people will come to the Expo, get a free hearing screening, and learn more about what assistance is offered in our community," said Ferguson.

The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Expo starts at 10:00 a.m. Representatives from various community resource services will be on hand to talk and to distribute information. Area services represented include the Rehabilitation Services Administration, New Horizons Independent Living Center, Yavapai College Disability Resources, and the Hearing Loss Association of Prescott.

Keynote speaker, Nanette Bowles, Ed.D., City of Surprise Disability Advocate and Owner, Life Quest Training & Consulting will talk at 11:00 a.m.Bowles has worked with individuals with disabilities most of her life and in a training capacity for over 15 years. Bowles earned her B.S. degree in Psychology and M.Ed. in Educational Psychology from Northern Arizona University. She recently completed her Doctorate in Adult Education from Nova Southeastern University.

A free Conversational Sign Language Class will be offered from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. at the Expo. A complementary lunch will be served for those who participate in the class.

 Free Hearing Screenings will be offered by Miracle Ear throughout the Expo. Tammy Haydon, a Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist from Miracle Ear, will administer the tests.

 The Yavapai College Deaf & Hard of Hearing Awareness Expo is sponsored by Yavapai College Disability Resources & Services and made possible by a grant from the Arizona Community Foundation.

 For more information, please contact Robb Ferguson at 928.776.2079 or by e-mail at Robb.Ferguson@yc.edu.