The Knoxville Center of the Deaf reaching out to residents across the Upper Cumberland to showcase services available here.
Executive Director Tom D’Angelo said the non-profit offers services to individuals who are blind, deaf, and hard of hearing. D’Angelo said part of the work is to partner in local counties. For example, the center recently showcased its work in Fentress County.
“We are just trying to expand and provide as much support as possible,” D’Angelo said. “You know, we work with the fire department, we work with the police department, hospitals to spread awareness, and the court system, and you know, they contact us if a deaf person needs support and interpreting services.”
D’Angelo said the non-profit also offers services like Sign Language classes and workshops. D’Angelo said deaf people who live in rural areas like the Upper Cumberland often do not have access to services and support. D’Angelo said the goal is to make sure those people have access..
“We are really researching, you know, fighting for them in those rural areas where there is not a lot of access, and most of them don’t have internet access, or they don’t have phone services, and you know, their family members don’t provide them with the available services,” D’Angelo said. “So, our place here, we try to provide resources and access for them.”
D’Angelo said he was born deaf, his parents are deaf, and that he has five children who are deaf as well. Many people may think being born deaf is a disadvantage, but D’Angelo said he does not view it that way.
“We deaf people can be successful,” D’Angelo said. “We are equal. It does bother me that people think that way. As I mentioned, I do have five deaf children myself, and you know, from my experience and my family, I have seen the struggles, and as I mentioned earlier, it’s all about the attitude. That’s really the most important thing that you can have for those children, you know, in their lives. So just that positive attitude and open-mindedness, and then you know, checking that they know all of the resources, cause there are so many options that we could provide, and it’s not the end of the world.”
D’Angelo said he encourages parents and family members who have a deaf family member and are in need of services to call the Knoxville Center of the Deaf, as they can help. D’Angelo said people can help support their mission to provide deaf services across Tennessee by visiting their website.
