For the deaf and hard of hearing, faces are critical to communication. In American Sign Language the same hand shape and movement can totally change meaning with facial expressions.
When photographer Brian Tietz suggested his annual philanthropy portrait photography project to Alicia Miller, executive director of the Sally J. Pimentel Deaf & Hard of Hearing Center, she didn’t hesitate to accept.
“It’s an opportunity to increase deaf awareness,” Ms. Miller said. “This project shows that the deaf look like everyone else.”
It’s been a big couple of years of gaining visibility for the former Deaf Service Center, which since 1983 has been working to improve the quality of life for the deaf and hard-of-hearing citizens and their families through education, advocacy and community involvement.
A wide range of services are offered to deaf and hard-of-hearing children and adults of Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Hendry, Glades and DeSoto counties, including interpreting services, free telephone equipment loans, deaf mentor program, American Sign Language classes, information and referral services, employment assistance, family education, community outreach and education and adaptive equipment sales.
In January 2018, the center received a new name, becoming the Sally J. Pimentel Deaf & Hard of Hearing Center after Albert Pimentel made a $50,000 donation in honor of his wife. Al Pimentel, who is deaf, wanted to increase viability and visibility of the center in honor of his hard-of-hearing wife, a lifelong educator of the deaf. Mrs. Pimentel died in June this year.
Now, Mr. Tietz has put some faces to the center’s name and mission with a photography project designed to bring to life area service organizations and those they serve.
For two days in October, Mr. Tietz set up his lights and camera at the small office and classrooms of the Pimentel center. The results are portraits of 15 staff members and beneficiaries of the center’s services.
In January 2018, the center received a new name, becoming the Sally J. Pimentel Deaf & Hard of Hearing Center after Albert Pimentel made a $50,000 donation in honor of his wife. Al Pimentel, who is deaf, wanted to increase viability and visibility of the center in honor of his hard-of-hearing wife, a lifelong educator of the deaf. Mrs. Pimentel died in June this year.
Now, Mr. Tietz has put some faces to the center’s name and mission with a photography project designed to bring to life area service organizations and those they serve.
For two days in October, Mr. Tietz set up his lights and camera at the small office and classrooms of the Pimentel center. The results are portraits of 15 staff members and beneficiaries of the center’s services.