Have you ever gone to the taping of a TV Talk Show? Well, now you can in Carbon County!

The Deaf Welcome Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt public charity, has moved its award-winning cablecast, Equal Access Sign Language Television, to its headquarters at 206 N. Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Blvd. in Lehighton to accommodate LIVE Studio audiences of Signers & non-Signers. The TV show currently airs in NY, NJ and locally on TV-13 every Thursday at 9AM.

In 2008, Equal Access Sign Language Television won its first national Hometown Video Award for "Making a Difference" from the Alliance for Community Media. In 2009, the show won again with celebrity guest, Susan L. Taylor!

In 2010, the show moved to the Deaf Welcome Center to celebrate Deaf Culture with the hearing world. Tourists are traveling to Lehighton from all over the country to enjoy the show.

With an estimated 32 MILLION Deaf in America, 90,000 in NY, 60,000 in NJ and nearly 50,000 in Pennsylvania, the TV show is sure to draw many visitors.

When was the last time you "saw" a Deaf person? Many of us pass the Deaf everyday but have no idea because we don't see them engaged in a Sign Language conversation. Thanks to the TV show, that is changing.

Earlier this year, Equal Access Sign Language Television featured the ONLY translation tool that bridges the Deaf community with the international hearing world. Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing and hearing guests flew into Carbon County from as far away as Colorado, Texas and China—even a Deaf rapper performed!

The Deaf Welcome Foundation wants local supporters to benefit from its tourist traffic. During the months of July and August EVERY business, store, and shop that becomes a monthly partner of the charity with a tax deductible gift of $50 or more will be included on a TV Show episode that will showcase Carbon County.

For free TV show tickets call (610) 379-4800 or e-mail tickets@deafwelcome.org.

Theressa DuBois