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NTID to expand technical education for deaf and hard of hearing students

RIT and its National Technical Institute for the Deaf have been awarded a $470,000 federal grant to help deaf and hard of hearing students learn technical skills to better prepare them for the workforce.

The grant from the National Science Foundation will fund a pilot program called DeafTec Ready, according to Rep. Joe Morelle (NY-25).

DeafTec Ready is a 10-week, 40-hour boot camp for a dozen deaf and hard of hearing students on the RIT campus during the summer of 2022. Students will learn technical skills such as repairing and maintaining computer equipment, networks and operating systems.

"(This effort) will further cement RIT’s reputation as a global leader in providing innovative services to help deaf and hard of hearing community members reach their full potential," Morelle said. 

"This significant award will advance NTID’s goal of increasing the number of deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the IT sector," said NTID President Gerard Buckley.

Upon completion and certification, students will get job placement assistance and course credit they can use to pursue an associate degree at NTID or other colleges across the country.

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.