Roses & Deaf Awareness

Ten years ago, deaf awareness was incorporated into the Tournament of Roses parade courtesy of Kodak and the Deaf CSUNians. The Deaf CSUNians is a committee of deaf and hard of hearing students at the California State University, Northridge. "There were about 150 people on the committee this year," said Jennifer Ellis, who was this year's chairperson. "About half of the committee was hearing and half was deaf."

The students worked on the float for months. Carefully following instructions, they put together dry flowers, live flowers, mosses, leaves, petals and seed. The result? A 55 foot long moving statue of Pinocchio, the famous puppet who became a boy, his father, Geppetto, and Jiminy, the cricket who came into their lives and the lives of storybook lovers everywhere.

"Deaf volunteers came from as far away as Florida and Arizona," said Jennifer, a CSUN sophomore. "The hardest part of the decorating was probably doing Geppeto's head--it is so high up and the volunteers were afraid of heights.

"It is a really nice atmosphere though. Everyone is so friendly and nice." The deaf awareness theme comes in through public awareness of who put the float together, said Jennifer. "The announcer mentions that the float is decorated by deaf people and Kodak makes sure that our efforts are recognized."

General comments may be sent to: ISCS.ClercCenter@gallaudet.edu

Last modified April 11, 1997
Copyright © 1997, All Rights Reserved
Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center

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