Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV

MIdwestern Intermediate Unit IV is offering DEC, the Deaf Education Club. This club will meet virtually once a month from October thru March (no meeting in December) The goal of our club is to give you insight into the world of Deaf Education and how you could make a difference for students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Topics discussed will include the role of different professionals in the field of Deaf Education, the Deaf Community and Culture, and some basic functional signs you can learn to start communicating with Deaf people who use sign language.

Did we mention...it's FREE!

October 2025

Introduction

Explore the history of ASL/Deaf Education

Myths about D/deaf people

Learn/Practice the Alphabet

Basic greetings

November 2025

The field of Deaf Education and roles of support professionals

D/deaf and what is "Deaf Culture"

Learn some basic conversational signs and phrases

January 2026

Through the Eyes of a Deaf Child

Deaf Culture and Traditions

Top Phrases you should know

February 2026

Explore Internet Resources

The Deaf Experience - guest speaker Q and A

Review Signs you've learned, requests

March 2026

Review- what did you learn?

Where to go from here?

Resources for Learning the Language

Wrap Up/Survey

We are proud of you for being involved in other activities and/or having a job! If you would like to participate in DEC, please attend as many meetings as your schedule permits. Remember.... you will be learning a lot about the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community, so you will want to attend as much as possible.

After you have registered for DEC, we will email you a link for each meeting. The link will be for Google Meets. This will allow you to attend if you are waiting for your little sister to finish dance class or from the comfort of your home. You will also receive an invite to our own Google Classroom where you will find some fun activities, information/resources and recommendations.

All meetings will start at 4:15 pm and be done by 5:15 pm.

DEC will introduce you to the world of Deaf Education, will give you the opportunity to meet students from other schools, and will allow you to have a deeper understanding of Deaf Culture. If you are considering a career working with individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing OR if you want to learn more about Deaf Culture and ASL, please consider participating in DEC.

After the March meeting, you will be provided with a Certificate of Attendance that you could include with college application documents. DEC is a great activity to list on your college applications!

Sort of. You will learn some signs and a lot about ASL, Deaf Culture and the field of Deaf Education. It is important to understand the culture of the people who use a language if you are going to communicate effectively and be an ally. This club will give you the basics and introduce you to resources for learning more!

Mission Statement: The mission of Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV is an education and community service agency comprised of highly qualified staff who customize solutions to evolving challenges.

Website: www.miu4.org
Location: 453 Maple Street, Grove City, PA, USA
Phone: (724) 458 - 6700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MIUIV
Twitter: @miuiv

Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV (MIU IV) does not discriminate on the basis of sex, and prohibits sex discrimination, including sex-based harassment, in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §§1681 et seq., and its regulations, 34 C.F.R. Part 106, including in admission and employment.

Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to the MIU IV’s Title IX Coordinator, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”), or both.

The District’s Title IX Coordinator is:

Brenda A. Marino, Assistant to the Executive Director

Email: brenda.marino@miu4.org

Telephone Number: 724-458-6700 X 1204

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights may be contacted at:

OCR@ed.gov

https://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr

To report information about conduct that may constitute Title IX sex discrimination, including sex-based harassment, or make a complaint of Title IX sex discrimination, please refer to the MIU IV’s Nondiscrimination Policies and Grievance Procedures, which can be located on MIU IV’s website under Board Policies, Policy 103 (Students) and Policy 104 (Employees): MIU IV Policies or contact MIU IV’s Title IX Coordinator.