National Technical Institute for the Deaf

Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf has announced next summer’s Deaf Initiative in Technology (DiiT) workshops that provide technical training in an environment that uses sign language.

Workshop participants get the benefit of direct interaction with the instructors without the need for interpreters that most professional workshops require. 

Six upcoming workshops focus on Business, English, Graphic Communication and Information Technology. Most workshops are five days and are held throughout June and July at Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf in Rochester, N.Y.

Topics include “Starting Your Own Business,” “Microsoft Office 2010: Create a Dynamic Presentation,” “Microsoft Excel 2010: Create an Electronic Worksheet,”  “Digital Sketchbooking,” as well as workshops dealing with workplace correspondence and preparing for certification exams.

DiiT was established by two grants from the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education program. Since the NSF funding ended in 2006, NTID has supported the program. To date, nearly 100 workshops have been held; more than 730 deaf and hard-of-hearing adults have attended workshops.

“I’ve always been the only deaf person in other workshops and felt left out,” said Gordon Marsillo, a mechanical engineering technician with the Naval Air Warfare Center in Lakehurst, N.J.  and a past DiiT participant. “At DiiT workshops, with other deaf people and a signing instructor, I could fully participate. I learned so much.”

Cost to attend a workshop is $500 and includes class materials, daily lunch and refreshments.

Visit the DiiT website or call (585) 475-7545 for more details and registration information.

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