Governor Healey Proclamation Recognizing September as Deaf Awareness Month
Transcript
[A blue background with an animation of the MCDHH Logo in white letters growing larger from the center of the screen]
The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
[Blue title slide appears with yellow letters and a white line below the title]
Governor Healey Proclamation Recognizing September as Deaf Awareness Month
[Dr. Kiame Mahaniah, secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services appears against a blue background holding a black folder while his name and title appear in the lower left corner. He opens the folder like a book to reveal the recent Proclamation, and closes it again and moves it off screen. An ASL interpreter appears in the upper right corner above Dr Mahaniah’s shoulder. The ASL interpreter stands against a lighter blue background, wearing glasses and a black long sleeve shirt with her hair pulled back neatly. Both begin reciting the Proclamation text.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
A Proclamation
Whereas, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts represents a vital and integral part of our population, contributing significantly to the cultural, social, and economic fabric of the Commonwealth; and
Whereas, American Sign Language (ASL) is the primary language for many Deaf individuals and serves as a crucial medium for communication, education, and cultural expression; and
Whereas, increasing public awareness and understanding of Deaf culture, communication access needs, and the challenges faced by Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals promotes equity, inclusion, and full participation in all aspects of society; and
Whereas, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts recognizes September as Deaf Awareness Month in alignment with national observances to honor and celebrate the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community; and
Whereas, it is the responsibility of all public and private entities within the Commonwealth to advance accessibility, inclusion, and equal opportunity for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals in education, employment, healthcare, and public services;
Now, therefore, I, Maura T. Healey, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim September 2025, to be, Deaf Awareness Month
And urge all residents of the commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.
Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, this first day in September in the year 2025, and of the independence of the United States of America, the 249th.
Signed
Maura Healey, Governor of the Commonwealth
Kimberly Driscol, Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth
William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth
[Screen fades to transition to a video of the Proclamation on a light wooden table. It opens to reveal the text, scrolling down the document to the end, then the Proclamation is closed again. Screen fades to a blue screen with text and a QR code]
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