Spring 2026 Newsletter

Behind the Scenes: A Word from Our President & CEO

It was a long winter, but we are glad to be moving into a new season and are looking forward to the warmer months ahead.

Across HDS, there is a great deal of activity underway. Our Life Skills program has a full slate of engaging opportunities planned, our Assistive Device Center/Outreach team and regional offices are actively participating in community events, and our Audiology services continue to support clients through hearing aid fittings and care. In short, we are busy in all the right ways.

We are looking ahead to a strong and impactful 2026 and are excited to share updates with you in this newsletter. As always, we welcome your feedback, ideas, and suggestions. Thank you for your continued support.

Onward and upward!

Amy Hart

President & CEO

HDS Consults on HBO Max’s The Pitt

HDS was honored to serve as a consultant for the HBO Max series The Pitt. As the show developed a storyline involving a Deaf patient’s experience in the emergency room, the production team engaged HDS to help ensure an accurate and authentic portrayal.

Members of our Deaf staff met virtually with the show’s writing team, offering candid insights and real-world perspectives. Many of these contributions were meaningfully reflected in the final storyline.

We extend our sincere thanks to our staff for sharing their experiences and to the writers of The Pitt for their commitment to portraying the realities of the Deaf community with authenticity and care.

SIGN-A-THON 2026 Recap

Interoffice Collaboration Strengthens Service Delivery

Interpreting coordinators across all three offices are now participating in a rotating on-call schedule. This ensures that someone is always available to respond promptly to calls and address interpreting needs or issues.

We continue to identify opportunities to leverage the strengths and resources of each office, enhancing coordination and delivering the highest level of service to the communities we support.

News From Our Erie Office

News From Our Westmoreland Office

Game Nights at HDS Westmoreland

This summer, HDS Westmoreland will host Deaf Community Game Nights at our Greensburg office. HDS will provide a selection of board games, and attendees are welcome to bring their own favorites as well. Guests are also encouraged to bring snacks and non-alcoholic beverages to enjoy.

More details will be shared as the event approaches - we look forward to a fun and engaging time together!

News From Pittsburgh Life Skills

HDS Life Skills Easter Egg Hunt

The HDS Life Skills Program has had a fun and busy start to the year. Over the past few months, participants have enjoyed a variety of seasonal celebrations, community outings, and special events while continuing to build independence, social skills, and daily living skills. Despite a cold and unpredictable winter, individuals remained active and engaged, and we are now looking ahead to brighter, warmer spring days.

We are also excited to share that the program continues to grow. So far in 2026, we have welcomed two new participants. To support this growth, we have added an additional staff member, ensuring we continue to provide a safe, supportive, and engaging environment. This added support allows us to expand activities, increase community outings, and maintain the high quality of our services.

Participants stayed active this winter through a range of celebrations, including holiday gatherings, a Valentine’s Day celebration, Mardi Gras activities, and St. Patrick’s Day festivities. These moments provided meaningful opportunities to socialize, enjoy traditions, and spend time together.

HDS Life Skills at Bowling

One of the highlights of the season was Sign-A-Thon in February. In the weeks leading up to the event, Life Skills participants practiced their dance routine and worked together as a team. They were excited to perform on stage and did a wonderful job representing the program. It was a proud and joyful moment for everyone involved.

Community outings continue to be a favorite part of the program. Participants enjoyed trips to local malls, bowling outings, and visits to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and Carnegie Museum of Art. During the Lenten season, the group also attended Friday fish fries, a fun and meaningful annual tradition. These outings provide valuable opportunities to practice social skills, money management, safety awareness, and communication while staying active in the community.

We are also looking forward to the continued expansion of our program space. Renovations on the third floor are currently underway, and we are excited to settle into the new space soon. This expansion will allow for even more activities and opportunities as the program continues to grow.

We are proud of the progress our participants make each day and look forward to an exciting rest of the year.

Thank you from your friends at HDS!