News by Topic: Deaf Community

A former top NASA administrator told graduates of RIT that their futures may seem as ambiguous as outer space. But by daring to do mighty things with hope instead of fear, untold possibilities will come into focus. Thomas Zurbuchen, astrophysicist and the longest continually serving associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate in NASA’s history, addressed the crowd during today's Academic Convocation ceremony in the Gordon Field House. More than 4,800 RIT graduates, including those attending RIT’s global campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo, were recognized.

WXXI talks to Mark Pfuntner, associate professor and chair of NTID's Department of Business Studies, about the inclusion of ASL interpreters at this year's PGA Championship at Oak Hill.

Thousands of RIT students are graduating this week with majors including engineering, computer science, cybersecurity, business, and fine arts. But more than 250 graduates are also receiving customized bachelor’s and master’s degrees from RIT’s School of Individualized Study, which allows students a flexible education pathway of their choosing.

For decades, deaf and hard-of-hearing students attending RIT’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf have been earning associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. This year, the first three NTID-supported students are on track to earn their doctoral degrees from RIT.

NTID and the PGA of America announce a partnership to have American Sign Language interpreters throughout the weeklong 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club, May 15-21. Most notably, for the first time in PGA of America’s history, ASL interpreters will also be on site at the PGA Championship Wanamaker Trophy presentation.

Thousands of visitors at the 2023 Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival got to see what’s on the horizon in the areas of technology, the arts, and design. Festivalgoers traversed RIT’s campus on Saturday, exploring more than 350 exhibits.

Spectrum News features Christopher Kurz, professor in the MS in secondary education program, student Ashley Gleason '20 (biomedical sciences), and their ASL Core project.

WHEC-TV features Diana Pryntz '79 (computer science), '83 MS (instructional technology). 

Artificial intelligence, robots, glass blowing, drones, cybersecurity tours, and performing arts are just a sampling of what lies in store for the thousands of visitors expected at this year’s Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 29.

From an early age, Jason Listman knew that he was called to serve and help people navigate through their challenges. But it was a connection with an RIT/NTID professor that steered him into the classroom, where he would soon stand out as an instructor, mentor, and facilitator.

WROC-TV talks to Jill Bradbury, department chair of NTID's Department for Performing Arts, about the Big Read community project.

In Ilya Kaminsky’s Deaf Republic, villagers’ deafness becomes an act of revolt against a totalitarian government, and their use of sign language unites them as a community. These themes, along with others throughout the book, resonate with the contemporary experience of deafness in the United States.