Article by Darren Marquardt, Executive Director, Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons (NVRC)
(Posted 2025 September)
Nearly 200,000 people in Fairfax County are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Maybe you’re one of them, or love someone who is. Either way, you won’t want to miss Celebrate Communication 2025 – Northern Virginia’s premier accessibility and inclusion event, designed just for you.
Join us on Saturday, September 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Springfield Town Center, main entrance between Yard House and Maggiano’s, on the lower level near the LEGO store. Admission is free!
Now in its 24th year, Celebrate Communication is NVRC’s signature outreach event. It brings together community members, families, service providers, technology vendors, and advocates to connect, learn, and celebrate the power of accessible communication.
Whether you’re newly navigating hearing loss or have been part of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community for decades, there’s something for everyone:
- Live demos of assistive listening devices, captioning services, and communication apps.
- Information about hearing aids, tinnitus, cued speech, cochlear implants, and the Virginia Technology Assistance Program (TAP).
- Local service providers and advocacy organizations to help you find the support you need.
- ASL interpreters and captioning throughout the event.
- Popular Deaf crafters, face painting, door prizes, and photo ops with our Yellow Dog mascot!
Celebrate Communication isn’t just an event – it’s a community hub for people of all ages and identities who want to live more connected, informed, and empowered lives.
Getting Around Just Got Easier:
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) will be onsite to assist with discounted SmarTrip fare programs. Seniors, people with disabilities (including those with hearing loss), and SNAP recipients may qualify. Bring a valid ID, an audiogram or Medicare card, or EBT with proof of benefits.
A heartfelt thank-you to our generous sponsors who help make this event possible: National Court Reporters Foundation, ServiceSource, Innocaption, Northern Virginia Association of the Deaf, Otolaryngology Associates, Blossom Hearing Center, Virginia Relay (VDDHH), CapTel, ClearCaptions, and Vision Idea Design!
To learn more, visit nvrc.org/celebrate-communication-2025. For questions or exhibitor inquiries, email Bonnie O’Leary, Outreach Manager, at boleary@nvrc.org.
ASL Social to Follow:
At 3 p.m., join the ASL Social hosted by DeafPlus Advocate Jeremy Smith in the Springfield Town Center Food Court! Connect, sign, meet new people – and keep the celebration going.
Come celebrate with us – and let’s build connections through communication!
This article is part of the Golden Gazette monthly newsletter which covers a variety of topics and community news concerning older adults and caregivers in Fairfax County. Are you new to the Golden Gazette? Don’t miss out on future newsletters! Subscribe to get the electronic or free printed version mailed to you. Have a suggestion for a topic? Share it in an email or call 703-324-GOLD (4653).