NIU’s first annual Deaf Awareness Week brought about a very positive interaction between the hearing and non-hearing students on campus, said Allan Vest, program for the hearing impaired director.

The week was designed by Kevin Ballard and Kim Antos, resident assistants on the hearing impaired floors in Grant Towers South, Vest said.

Ballard said he was very happy with the results from the week. He said the week turned out very well and all the special events were well attended.

Both Ballard and Vest said they hope for the awareness week to become a yearly event.

Vest said special events began Monday with students “signing” their names in sign language on their way into residence hall cafeterias. Also, a movie was shown about deaf individuals.

On Tuesday, students were invited to listen to a panel of members from Chicago service agencies, who spoke on the rights of the hearing impaired, Vest said.

“Children of a Lesser God” was shown Wednesday, Vest said. He said a group also formed to “sign-sync” songs.

Vest said a traveling theater group, Sunshine Too, was scheduled for last night. He said the group performs mime and skits in sign language and sound.

The events will wind up today with a workshop given by Sunshine and a second showing of “Children of a Lesser God,” Vest said.

Ballard said he thought the week would be a good chance to promote interactions between the hearing and hearing impaired students. He said he and Antos started planning the week during the past summer when they took the idea to their supervisors in the department of communicative disorders.

After their supervisors approved, Ballard and Antos presented their plans to NIU President John LaTourette, to “make the week a little more official,” Ballard said.