TEXAS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Gabriel Cardenas
Phone: 512-462-5372; cell 512-689-7933
Email: [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DOCUMENTARY FEATURES STUDENTS FROM TEXAS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF
“DEAF OUT LOUD” PREMIERES ON A&E NETWORK
September 12, 2018
Austin, Texas – The trailer is out for A&E’s new documentary special, Deaf Out Loud, featuring two Texas School for the Deaf (TSD) families: the Garcia family and the Mansfield family.
EATV Deaf Out Loud: https://www.aetv.com/specials/deaf-out-loud
The Garcias are a family of eight—four of their children attend TSD. Francisco, the father, is a TSD alumnus. His wife, April, is hearing but is a child of deaf parents. Both are founders of Hope’s Lighthouse and advocates for fostering and adoption of deaf children.
Hope’s Lighthouse: https://www.facebook.com/Hopeslighthouse/
The Mansfields – Sheena McFeely and Manny Johnson – who are both deaf, are founders of the online educational website, ASL Nook. They are a family of four and communicate exclusively using American Sign Language (ASL)—although, one daughter is hearing.
ASL Hook: https://aslnook.com/
A&E producers discovered the Garcias through the family’s YouTube videos and the Mansfields through their Disney Parks & Resorts TV commercials.
The documentary special, executive produced by Academy Award winner, Marlee Matlin, is scheduled to premiere on September 12, 2018 at 7 p.m. (CST) on the A&E Network.
To show the world an added perspective into the deaf community – with some scenes filmed at TSD – the school Superintendent, Claire Bugen, is especially excited A&E is featuring five TSD students and their families.
“With A&E’s amazing success with the documentary series, Born This Way – which focused on adults living with Down syndrome, Bugen says, “it’s wonderful that the series is now focusing on families who are deaf, and deaf children.
“And, it’s awesome this special will premier just ahead of the annual Deaf Awareness Week.
“With such a strong sense of pride and cultural identity deeply embedded our deaf community,” Bugen adds, “I believe these two TSD families will present that quite well in their stories.”
During Deaf Awareness Week, September 23-29, 2018, TSD will be hosting several events to celebrate the occasion, bringing awareness to the rich and vibrant deaf community, as well as to our welcoming TSD community. Please watch our TSD Facebook page @texasschoolforthedeaf for more.
Watch the trailer for Deaf out Loud now at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKK1vTnq9mI.
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ABOUT THE TEXAS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF: The Texas School for the Deaf (TSD) is the oldest continuous operating public school in Texas. Educating deaf and hard of hearing students of Texas since 1856, the campus also provides outreach and educational resources for students, their families and professionals in the field throughout the state of Texas. With educational excellence and a strong belief in a culture and community at TSD, students form a unique identity based on their individual strengths and talents. TSD is an environment where students learn, grow, and belong. For more information about the Texas School for the Deaf, visit www.tsd.state.tx.us.
ABOUT A&E’s DEAF OUT LOUD: Executive produced by Academy® Award-winner Marlee Matlin, this new documentary special follows three predominantly deaf families as they raise their children in a hearing world. With many differing opinions about how deaf children should be raised swirling in the social consciousness, these families work to forge their own paths forward and combat the daily social stigmas many deaf people face. https://www.aetv.com/specials/deaf-out-loud/about
Contact: Gabriel Cardenas
Phone: 512-462-5372; cell 512-689-7933
Email: [email protected]