North Central PA LaunchBox to cover COVID communication for the hard of hearing

DuBOIS, Pa. – The North Central PA LaunchBox Speaker Series will offer “I Can’t Hear You Through the Mask: COVID Communication Concerns for the Hard of Hearing” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 2. Register here for this free virtual program delivered by Zoom.

This program is offered in conjunction with the North Central Partnership for Regional Economic Performance (NC PREP) Penn State DuBois Continuing Education, and sign language instructor Marla Ball.

As a sign language interpreter and instructor who has helped interpret for many hearing-impaired residents in the north central region, Ball will discuss how masking has been an essential part of the COVID-19 process and how, for those in the deaf community, masking may potentially complicate emergency health care situations. This program will provide a new perspective for frontline health care providers as they encounter deaf patients, the unique issues that are created when masking is a priority, and how providers can make their hearing-impaired patients more comfortable during their care.

Ball graduated cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in sign language. She has been a sign language interpreter for more than 20 years and has worked in local school districts, hospitals, and other nonprofit organizations providing interpreter services in many settings.

Register for this webinar at online via Zoom. 

For more information, contact Penn State DuBois Continuing and Community Education at 814-375-4715 or smc200@psu.edu