Note: An earlier post went out regarding several events hosted by Delaware Deaf Senior Citizens (DDSC) that had to be changed. The South Coastal (Bethany Beach) Library is undergoing emergency repairs. Locations and dates have changed for several events, see below.
REVISED SCHEDULE FOR LOCAL LIBRARIES
HOSTING DEAF AWARENESS MONTH EVENTS
Readers: please note changes to dates and locations since the last printing
Delaware Deaf Senior Citizens (DDSC), a 501(c) 3 non-profit, is partnering with three libraries in Sussex County to offer several programs to recognize Deaf Awareness Month during September 2026. The goal of Deaf Awareness Month is to promote awareness about the large Deaf community in the area, the contributions of Deaf people to the arts and literature, and to enhance cultural awareness and understanding of this vibrant community. The South Coastal Library, the Lewes Public Library and the Selbyville Public Library will be sponsoring several Deaf Awareness programs during the month of September 2026. The South Coastal Library in Bethany Beach will display books on Deaf culture and American Sign Language (ASL) and host a children’s art activity introducing children to American Sign Language (ASL). The Selbyville Public Library will host three presentations by a Deaf author, a Deaf Executive Chef and a Deaf artist. The Lewes Public Library will offer two beginning ASL Classes. The updated schedule of events follows:
Tuesday, September 15, 4:00 – 5:30 pm: Deaf author presentation
Dr. Irene Leigh will discuss her new book: Hiding the Holocaust: Memoir of a Deaf Daughter and her journey to understand how her parents’ experiences during the Nazi years resulted not only in her experiences with intergenerational trauma but also resilience generated by her parents’ full acceptance of her as a deaf child. Bring her book for book signing after the presentation (books will not be sold on site). Books can be purchased from: Gallaudet University Press: https://gupress.gallaudet.edu/Books/H/Hiding-the-Holocaust or Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Hiding-Holocaust-Memoir-Daughter-Lives/dp/1954622309
Interpreting provided by ASL Connections. Location: Selbyville Public Library, Conference Room A, 111 W. McCabe Street, Selbyville, DE 19975. https://delawarelibraries.libcal.com/event/17526411
Wednesday, September 16, 5:00-6:30 pm: American Sign Language (ASL) Beginner Class
This ASL Beginner Class will introduce the manual alphabet (fingerspelling) and basic sign language. There will be interactive fun activities incorporating fingerspelling and basic ASL signs. Instructors Terri Worek and Mary Ann Richmond are retired Deaf educators with extensive teaching experience. Class size is limited to 20 people. Interpreting provided by ASL Connections. Location: Lewes Public Library, Large Meeting Room East, 111 Adams Avenue, Lewes, DE 19958. Registration required.
https://delawarelibraries.libcal.com/event/16856967
Tuesday, September 22, 4:30-6:00 pm. Deaf Chef Presentation
“Becoming an Executive Chef”. Presentation by Maggie Williamson, Executive Chef at Ocean View Brewing. Ms. Williamson will discuss her journey to become an executive chef in Delaware. She was featured in the December 2025 edition of Delaware Today magazine. https://delawaretoday.com/food/women-executive-chefs/#:~:text=Maggie%20Williamson,at%20Ocean%20View%20Brewing%20Company.
Interpreting provided by ASL Connections. Location: Selbyville Public Library, 111 W. McCabe Street, Selbyville, DE 19975. Conference Room A. https://delawarelibraries.libcal.com/event/17526429
Wednesday, September 23, 5:00-6:30 pm. American Sign Language (ASL) Beginner Class.
This ASL Beginner Class will introduce the manual alphabet (fingerspelling) and basic sign language. There will be interactive fun activities incorporating fingerspelling and basic ASL signs. Instructors Terri Worek and Mary Ann Richmond are retired Deaf educators with extensive teaching experience. Class size is limited to 20 people. Interpreting provided by ASL Connections. Location: Lewes Public Library, Medium Meeting Room. 111 Adams Avenue, Lewes, DE 19958. Registration required. http://delawarelibraries.libcal.com/event/16856971
Saturday, September 26, 10:00 am-11:30 am. Children’s Program: American Sign Language Through Art for Kids. Instructors: Terri Worek and Mary Ann Richmond, both retired Deaf educators, will lead this class for young students age 5-11. Students will gain exposure to American Sign Language (ASL) and the manual alphabet through art by coloring images of hand shapes and beginning signs in ASL. Parents need to remain on site for this class. Interpreting provided by ASL Connections. Location: South Coastal Library, 43 Kent Avenue, Bethany Beach, DE 19930. Children’s Library Room.
Registration required. Limited to 20 participants https://delawarelibraries.libcal.com/event/17007095
Tuesday September 29, 4:30-6:00 pm: Deaf artist and filmmaker presentation
A presentation by Deaf artist and filmmaker Tracey Salaway. Selection of clips from her documentary film on renowned Deaf artist Chuck Baird entitled “American Deaf Artist: Chuck Baird and his Journey.” The presentation will discuss the Deaf View/Image Art movement known as De’VIA, which portrays how Deaf and Deaf-Blind people experience the world, as well as art of other professional Deaf artists. Interpreting provided by ASL Connections. Location: Selbyville Public Library, 111 W. McCabe Street, Selbyville, DE 19975. Conference Room B. https://delawarelibraries.libcal.com/event/17535431
For more information:
- Delaware Deaf Senior Citizens https://delawaredeafsc.org/
- Lewes Public Library https://lewes.lib.de.us/
- Selbyville Public Library https://www.selbyvillelibrary.org/
- South Coastal Library https://southcoastal.lib.de.us/
DDSC Revised September 2026 Events (PDF version)