Beyond Access: Creating Communities Where Everyone Belongs

You already know that the most successful businesses create environments where people feel valued, respected, and welcome. But deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals represent a significant, and often overlooked, customer base and talent pool, and at RWN’s “Beyond Access” workshop, you’ll learn how to sidestep miscommunication and head straight for authentic inclusive connection.
Through a mixture of sign and speech, Amy Stornello, Blake Nitko, and Josh Mora, along with interpreters from RIT/NTID, will give you concrete tools to:
🫱🏼‍🫲🏾Expand your client base by making deaf and hard-of-hearing customers feel genuinely welcome, not just "accommodated"
🫢Avoid common, unintentional mistakes that can come across as dismissive, even with the best intentions
📣Build confidence in how to communicate naturally and respectfully, whether it's a quick transaction or an ongoing client relationship
💪🏽Strengthen your reputation as a business that's inclusive and easy to work with
🎓Explore hiring and partnership opportunities, including mentoring, co-ops, internships, and employment with deaf and hard-of-hearing talent
Plus, you’ll get a firsthand look at how RIT/NTID, home to one of the largest deaf and hard-of-hearing student populations in the country, navigates everyday interactions, so you can bring those lessons directly back to your business.
Just $5 for RWN members and $15 for not-yet members. Pre-registration is required. Please either print your ticket or have it ready on your phone to present at event check-in. Please register by Friday, October 9 by clicking the Find Tickets button on this event page.
See registration page for venue parking info and detailed directions.
Thank you to our presenters!
Amy Stornello, NTID Deputy Title IX Coordinator
NTID Administrative Affairs
National Technical Institute for the Deaf
Blake Nitko
Social Media Manager
Communications, Marketing, and Multimedia Services
National Technical Institute for the Deaf
Joshua Mora
Freelance Deaf Interpreter

Plans change! If you can no longer join us, please let us know at [email protected] so we can open up your spot to a fellow member and order the right amount of food.
Your comfort and ease of accessibility are of utmost importance to us. We strive to make sure all members and guests can engage fully at RWN events and enjoy! Please note that this venue is fully wheelchair accessible, and sign language interpreters will be in attendance. Please see our registration page for more info if you have any questions about accessibility or if we can provide further accommodation. Please register for the event ASAP so we can make every effort to honor your request.