Best of The Bronx: 'Deaf Kids Code' program comes back to the Bronx

Students are getting a head start on their futures with a special program at St. Joseph's School for the Deaf in Throgs Neck.

News 12 Staff

Jul 18, 2019, 11:20 AM

Updated 1,753 days ago

Share:

Students are getting a head start on their futures with a special program at St. Joseph's School for the Deaf in Throgs Neck.
The "Deaf Kids Code" summer program is in its second year at the school, teaching children all things tech.
"We have a lot of moving parts going on right here. So the kids are you know, using coding and programing the robots through this maze," says Shireen Hafeez, founder of "Deaf Kids Code."

Hafeez says the program was birthed from her own experience.

"And the catalyst for all of this is the fact that I am a mother of a son that is part of this population, so that is what ignited all of this," says Hafeez.

She wants to help get children thinking about technology for their future.

"When we know that over 70% of all new jobs are in the technology field, but yet people with disabilities still suffer from, you know, over 70% severe underemployment and unemployment in this country," says Hafeez. "These are potential employees."


More from News 12
2:14
Teen accused of driving stolen car while high, causing fatal crash in Centereach

Teen accused of driving stolen car while high, causing fatal crash in Centereach

1:39
Morning rains before cloudy, warm Monday afternoon for Long Island

Morning rains before cloudy, warm Monday afternoon for Long Island

1:53
Long Island's Jewish communities pause and reflect on Holocaust Remembrance Day

Long Island's Jewish communities pause and reflect on Holocaust Remembrance Day

1:34
2nd annual Long Island Jewish Film Festival celebrated at Cinema Arts Center in Huntington

2nd annual Long Island Jewish Film Festival celebrated at Cinema Arts Center in Huntington

0:23
Suffolk police: Pedestrian struck, killed by car in Copiague

Suffolk police: Pedestrian struck, killed by car in Copiague

0:50
Hundreds of athletes compete in Special Olympics New York Spring Games at Plainedge High School

Hundreds of athletes compete in Special Olympics New York Spring Games at Plainedge High School

0:30
Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

0:24
Police: Huntington Station man critically injured in Dix Hills hit-and-run

Police: Huntington Station man critically injured in Dix Hills hit-and-run

0:27
Nassau police: 6 injured in shooting at Westbury home

Nassau police: 6 injured in shooting at Westbury home

2:06
New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

0:21
State police: 32-year-old man killed in Wantagh Parkway crash

State police: 32-year-old man killed in Wantagh Parkway crash

0:45
Fire breaks out at Plainview storage facility

Fire breaks out at Plainview storage facility

1:50
‘No one is helping.’ Freeport tenants say complaints about fire alarm are falling on deaf ears

‘No one is helping.’ Freeport tenants say complaints about fire alarm are falling on deaf ears

0:46
Teachers participate at 15th annual 'GC for a Cure' 5K Run and Walk in memory of late educator

Teachers participate at 15th annual 'GC for a Cure' 5K Run and Walk in memory of late educator

0:53
Prosecutors: Queens man stole used cooking oil from 16 restaurants

Prosecutors: Queens man stole used cooking oil from 16 restaurants

0:28
Sag Harbor teen charged with DWI following crash into tree

Sag Harbor teen charged with DWI following crash into tree

2:15
Meeting held over next steps for cleanup at Bethpage Community Park

Meeting held over next steps for cleanup at Bethpage Community Park

1:32
Knowing the early warning signs during Stroke Awareness Month

Knowing the early warning signs during Stroke Awareness Month

0:38
Sam Ash Music announces closure of all store locations

Sam Ash Music announces closure of all store locations

2:15
EXCLUSIVE: Gov. Hochul talks retail theft, bail reform during visit to Lindenhurst

EXCLUSIVE: Gov. Hochul talks retail theft, bail reform during visit to Lindenhurst