FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DCC, EMERGENCY SERVICES TEAM

FOR CLASS ON SIGN COMMUNICATIONS

DANVILLE, VA, March 1, 2005 – Danville Community College and the Danville Department of Emergency Services are bringing together educators and city EMS workers to increase awareness about the area’s deaf and hard of hearing community.

A two-hour seminar entitled, “Sign Communication for EMS Providers,” will allow city EMS workers to learn basic medical signs and awareness of  the telephone equipment used by the deaf or hard of hearing population and how it relates to the 911 Center and the EMS provider. The seminar will be taught by Dr. Carl Amos, DCC Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Community Services for People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

“The goal is basically to make EMS workers more sensitive about the needs and issues of people with a mild to profound hearing loss,” Amos said. “Without a doubt, this will improve the emergency services that are provided to the deaf and hard of hearing community.”

The seminar is being made available on three different days to accommodate the varying schedules of the emergency services workers:

·               March 4, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

·               March 7, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

·               April 4, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Amos credits Doug Young, Director of Danville Emergency Services, with recognizing the need and pursuing the idea for the seminar.

“Doug Young is so concerned about his community, and this is another way that he is ensuring that the EMS is fully aware of the people’s needs,” Amos said. “It’s important to us at DCC to have the opportunity to work with these organizations to promote safety and awareness.”

For more information about the seminar, please contact Dr. Carl Amos at (434) 797-8479, toll free: 800-560-4291, ext. 8479. Amos can also be reached via email at camos@dcc.vccs.edu.