In 1997, an ACHIEVE program participant approached his Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Penny French, and asked her to teach him and his peers sign language as a mechanism for communicating with peers who had hearing impairments. She indicated a willingness to do so and the first sign language group formed with just 8 people at ACHIEVE’s Lester Avenue Employment Center. There was much excitement about the initiative and by Christmas the group had expanded to 41 members. In addition, a small sign language group was formed at ACHIEVE’s Tioga Employment Center.

Talking Hands invited the Lawrence Family for the official hanging of the plaque in the Lester Avenue Practice Room that was presented in memory of Murtha P. Lawrence and Maura Lawrence Waters during the 6th Annual Talking Hands Performance, Fabulous Favorites...