Deaf Activist, Model Nyle DiMarco Coming To North Bay

FAIRFIELD, CA — Nyle DiMarco, a deaf activist and "Dancing With The Stars" and "America's Next Top Model" winner, is slated for an upcoming appearance in Fairfield to help promote Solano Community College's new American Sign Language Interpreter Training Program.

DiMarco, who views his deafness as an asset rather than a limitation, will entertain audiences with his inspirational story in two performances on Saturday, March 9 — the second of which is open to the public. Tickets are already selling fast and may be purchased at Solano.edu/theater, according to a news release from SCC.

"Nyle is great at building bridges between the Deaf and hearing communities, and he's a strong advocate for teaching ASL to Deaf children," said SCC ASL instructor Gwen Gallagher. "While Solano has offered ASL classes for almost two decades, our ASL Interpreter Training Program is new. We want to become known as an important resource for the Deaf community and their allies in Solano County."

As part of the March 9 event, SCC will host an information fair featuring a booth for its interpreting program, as well as Bay Area organizations providing services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. SCC will be selling custom T-shirts, tote bags and hoodies designed and screen-printed by the school’s Print$hop, with proceeds benefiting the campus ASL Club. Also on hand will be the Mozzeria food truck, owned and operated by Deaf restaurateurs, serving Neapolitan-style pizza by the slice.

"Nyle’s visit promises to be a unique and enjoyable experience," said Neil Glines, Dean of the School of Liberal Arts at SCC. "We're proud of our thriving ASL and Sign Language Interpreting Program and this event is one of the many ways we plan to celebrate our connection with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community in the Bay Area."

The event — presented by SCC’s ASL and Sign Language Interpreting Program under the auspices of the School of Liberal Arts — will also feature professional sign-language interpreters.

Amplified headsets will be available for loan and the theater is wheelchair-accessible.

The 4 p.m. presentation March 9 is open to SCC students. Tickets are $5.

The 8 p.m. presentation is open to the public. Tickets are $15.

Both presentations will be held in the Solano College Theater, Building 1200, 4000 Suisun Valley Road in Fairfied.

Free parking will be available in the lot behind the theater.