Basic Rider Course for the Deaf How to Prepare and Execute a Safe and Affordable Offering Rick Sigel President, Training Wheels of New England, Inc.

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“I am speaking to you through a sign language interpreter….”

Training Wheels of New England, Inc. 8 sites 35 coaches 15 years in business How did I get here?

The Old Days… Deaf Student inquires about a course Hire Interpreter Find Coaches Choose Date & Location Budget Class for Deaf Student License Processing

Class for 12 Deaf Students Change the Order… Deaf Student inquires about a course Deaf Student inquires about a course Hire Interpreter Hire Interpreter Find Coaches Find Coaches Choose Date & Location Choose Date & Location Budget Budget Market the Course Class for Deaf Student Class for Deaf Student License Processing License Processing Class for 12 Deaf Students

Always have a class scheduled and in place Two Main Objectives Always have a class scheduled and in place Recruit as many students as possible by marketing at every stage

Class Preparation Linguistic & Cultural rules in Deaf society are not the same as in the hearing society

Hiring Interpreters What is the Law?

Location & Date Familiarity is more important than being central Not too early in season Hotel

Coaches 2 coaches required Longer than normal class Start email chain between interpreters and coaches

Budget Interpreters Coaches Ask state for money

Marketing Contact all in-state programs Contact other States Forums for the Deaf Community Market at every stage

Address permit & license processing concerns in advance Licensing Address permit & license processing concerns in advance

Deaf Student Inquires About a Course Be prepared for a long call Be clear in direction (next step) Encourage emailing for future correspondences

Market at Every Stage Interpreters Coaches Vendors Students RMV

Questions & Comments Rick Sigel Training Wheels PO Box 784 E. Orleans, MA 02643 508-247-9595 rick@trainingwheelsonline.com