DEAF EXPO(tm) 2002 PATRONS TO ENJOY TWO-DAY SCHEDULE

PRESS CONTACT: Rick Norris
CSD Communications Office

Tenth Anniversary Show - Nov. 15-16

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Show organizers have released more details on the upcoming annual DEAF EXPO(tm) show scheduled for Friday-Saturday Nov. 15-16. This special show marks the 10th consecutive year of the country's largest consumer trade show targeted at the deaf and hard of hearing market. It returns to the Ontario Convention Center - a one-hour drive east of Los Angeles - for the second time.

Carrying on traditions of past Deaf Expo(tm) shows and the success of recent program enhancements, two game shows will take place on the Deaf World Performing Stage, hosted by actor Alan "Spo" Schwartz and supported by Bank of America. These shows are "ASL Factor" and "ABC Storytelling Contest."

While tickets must be purchased for the Deaf Expo(tm) event, admission is free to a job fair organized by Greater Los Angeles Council on Deafness (GLAD) and the California Employment Development Department. The GLAD/EDD Job Fair will take place only on Friday Nov. 15 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and will also be located at the Ontario Convention Center. On this first day of Deaf Expo(tm) 2002, school and other recognized groups of 15 or more people can also take advantage of group discounts, special programming on the Deaf World Performing Stage, the Deaf Art Contest and Seminars program.

DEAF EXPO(tm) 2002 is sponsored by Greater Los Angeles Council on Deafness (GLAD); Sprint Relay; Ultratec, Inc., the official TTY of Deaf Expo(tm) 2002, and Wynd Communications Corporation, official wireless service of Deaf Expo(tm) 2002. The largest attraction at Deaf Expo(tm) 2002 are over a hundred exhibits in the exhibit hall covering education, finance, giftware, health, human resources, publications, recreation, religion and technology. Thirty exhibits have been confirmed so far in the Deaf Village, an area for home businesses, art and crafts, one-person businesses, and distribution of materials announcing events and services. At least 10,000 people are expected. Childcare will be offered at nominal cost during show hours on both days.

Among daytime program features in the exhibit hall and meeting rooms are video relay demonstrations, text pagers, seminars & workshops coordinated by CSD Leadership Training Program and the Technology Forum. Deaf culture and sign language students, parents and deaf consumers can also browse through the Deaf World History display. The Deaf Art Contest, TTY Museum and hourly drawings for thousands of dollars worth of door prizes are also part of the excitement of visiting Deaf Expo(tm) 2002.

Performer Nat Wilson will be master of ceremonies for Deaf Expo's "Flash to the Past," a prime time banquet on Friday evening at the Ontario Convention Center Ballroom. He will look back to ten years of Deaf Expo(tm) history, highlights, and introduce key players and long time Deaf Expo(tm) supporters who will share anecdotes. Comedian and storyteller Manny Hernandez will also perform along with the Wild Zappers dancing troupe.

Saturday evening will mark the world premiere of Deaf Expo's first digital production "Two Worlds Apart," starring Bernard Bragg with Matt Ellis and Cara McLellan-Amores. This short movie will be part of the "Reel Deaf Life" event in the Ontario Convention Center ballroom, hosted by actress Shoshannah Stern.

Writer and Producer DJ Kurs says, "This thriller is guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seats." In this movie, Robert (Bragg) meets the son of a long lost colleague, Cook (Ellis) and thrills ensue as their worlds collide.

Hotel rooms are still available in limited quantities at Doubletree Hotel Ontario, the official hotel of Deaf Expo(tm) 2002 with special group rates arranged only through CSD Travel who also handles airline bookings and car rentals at toll-free TTY/Voice: (888) 340-5572, Fax: (605) 367-5958 or e-mail: travel@c-s-d.org

No registration is required to attend Deaf Expo(tm) 2002 as patrons need only to purchase day passes which are available, along with confirmed exhibit listings, program and participation opportunities, and hotel and travel at the official website www.DEAFEXPO.org .

For more information about the upcoming Deaf Expo(tm) event, contact either Tom D'Angelo or David Rosenbaum at (800) 642-6410 TTY/Voice.

About CSD
CSD (also known as Communication Service for the Deaf, Inc.) was established in 1975, primarily to provide sign language interpreting services to deaf and hard of hearing citizens in South Dakota. Today, CSD employs over 2,000 individuals nationwide to provide social and human services, as well as telecommunications relay services. CSD is a private, nonprofit agency dedicated to providing quality service; ensuring public accessibility; and increasing public awareness of issues affecting deaf, hard of hearing and speech impaired individuals. For more information, see the company web site at www.c-s-d.org .

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Deaf Expo(tm) is a registered trademark of Communication Service for the Deaf.