(San Antonio, TX, May 24, 2005) ­ Supporting deaf and hard-of-hearing persons, the American Sign Language & Interpreter Training Department at San Antonio College again partners with Six Flags Fiesta Texas for Deaf Awareness Day, Saturday, June 11, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Throughout the day, certified interpreter volunteers will be stationed around the park to assist with communication. Approximately 950 people are expected to participate in the day.

³We are so grateful to Six Flags Fiesta Texas for their support to generate awareness about the challenges that deaf and hard-of-hearing persons face every day, as well as provide this special-needs community with the opportunity to thoroughly enjoy the park,² said Jo Hilton, Interpreter Services Manager at SAC. ³In fact, many deaf schools from around the state plan a yearly field trip to the park specifically for this event.²

During the day, approximately 70 interpreter volunteers will rotate through four-hour shifts to interpret between the sign and spoken languages, covering communication stations throughout the park. Volunteers are certified in American Sign Language interpretation, and many of them also work with the Interpreter Training program at SAC. In exchange for their service, Six Flags rewards them with two free tickets to come back at another time, as well as a continental breakfast, a T-shirt, free parking and a meal voucher and drink coupon redeemable on event day.

Tickets for Deaf Awareness Day at Six Flags Fiesta Texas are just $21.59 and may be purchased in advance from the ASL Lab on the SAC campus in the Nail Technical Center, or on event day at Six Flags Fiesta Texas front gate with a Deaf Awareness Day flier from the SAC table at the park¹s entrance. One dollar from each Deaf Awareness ticket sold benefits the American Sign Language & Interpreter Training program at SAC. (Tickets purchased ahead of time may be used any day this year at the park.)

For more information, call the Interpreter Training Department at 733-2071.