Sep 20

Sep 20 Lions Industries for the Blind to Host Deaf Awareness Celebration in Kinston

Lions Industries for the Blind will host a Deaf Awareness Celebration on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 4126 Berkeley Avenue in Kinston as part of Deaf Awareness Month.

The event is designed to bring together members of the Deaf and DeafBlind communities with state agencies, community providers, businesses, employers and other organizations serving Eastern North Carolina.

The celebration will provide an opportunity for attendees to learn more about Deaf culture, American Sign Language (ASL), DeafBlind communication, communication access, employment opportunities, qualified ASL interpreting services and community resources.

A special focus of the event will be helping businesses and community organizations better understand their responsibilities for providing effective communication. Attendees will be able to learn how to locate and hire qualified ASL interpreters, how to work effectively with interpreters, and how to create more accessible services and workplaces for Deaf and DeafBlind individuals.

State agencies and community providers will also be in attendance, giving participants an opportunity to learn about available services, develop partnerships and connect directly with resources that support Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing individuals.

The date of the celebration is especially significant. September 23 is the International Day of Sign Languages, providing an opportunity to recognize sign languages and the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of Deaf communities.

Lions Industries for the Blind hopes the celebration will help bring the Deaf and DeafBlind communities together with the businesses, agencies and organizations that serve them while providing practical information that attendees can take back to their workplaces and organizations.

The event will encourage stronger partnerships throughout Kinston and Eastern North Carolina while increasing awareness of the importance of access, advocacy, effective communication and inclusion.