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WASHINGTON, Apr 12, 2006 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Federal cuts in funding for deaf cultural programs has left several U.S. deaf theater groups close to their final curtain call, it was reported Wednesday.
The Department of Education was responsible for distributing about $2 million in grants annually for deaf cultural programs -- but the money has suddenly dried up, The New York Times reported.
No one seems to know who pulled the plug on the funding or why it was done.
Sens. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., and Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, have been trying to restore the funding, which was part of a program to provide equal education opportunities for people with disabilities, the newspaper said.
Among the endangered programs across the country is the Washington-based National Theater of the Deaf, which has not seen any federal funds since mid-2005.
The program has produced shows since 1967 using American Sign Language as well as spoken words that have been seen by an estimated 3.5 million people.
"Right now, we're looking just to keep the theater alive," Executive Director Paul L. Winters told the Times.
URL: www.upi.com Copyright 2006 by United Press International
