Gay Games To Include Sign Interpreters

From: Out In America - Columbus,OH,USA - Dec 30, 2004

OIA Newswire

CHICAGO - Next year's Gay Games has moved one step closer to full inclusion for its athletes and spectators.

Chicago-based Deaf Communication by Innovation, a gay-owned and deaf-owned company, will coordinate International Sign interpreters for the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago. It will oversee daytime and evening sign language interpretation for deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes, artists and fans attending the Gay Games VII Sports and Cultural Festival.

The interpreters will use international sign language skills to ensure that deaf and hard-of-hearing people from all countries will be able to participate fully at the Gay Games.

"Deaf Communication by Innovation is extremely proud to be the exclusive sign interpreting services provider for Gay Games VII," said DCI President Raymond Rodgers. "We will do our best to do great work for a great cause."

DCI representatives will also attend the Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf, an international deaf LGBT conference on behalf of Gay Games Chicago. DCI has promised to sponsor various social events for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community during the Gay Games.

"We are extremely grateful to Raymond Rodgers and the staff at DCI for this generous contribution," said Chicago Games, Inc. spokesperson Tracy Baim. "Inclusion is one of the key values of the Gay Games. This arrangement should send a clear message to the worldwide deaf and hard of hearing community that they will be welcome with open arms at the 2006 Gay Games."

More information about DCI is available at www.deafcomm.net. [12/30/04]

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