It’s national Deaf Awareness Week this week (4th to 10th May). The aim of the week is to raise awareness of the deafness and hearing loss faced by 1 in 6 people in the UK, and the importance of embracing language, recognising challenges, and the culture of deafness.
The UK Council on Deafness, founded in 1993 and the national umbrella organisation for charities and professional bodies working in the field of deafness, co-ordinates deaf awareness week which involves UK wide series of national and local events to raise awareness.
There are more than 10 million people in the UK who have some hearing loss, By 2035, it is estimated that there will be 15.6 million people with hearing loss in the UK – that is one in five. If you would like to make it easier for someone with deafness or hearing loss to communicate, but you are not sure how, there are some simple things you can do. The National Deaf Children’s Society has resources to help you. Basically make sure that you face the person you wish to communicate with, speak clearly but do not shout, repeat yourself if necessary and do not give up! Smile and make sure your mouth is visible at all times. Do not speak to quickly.
Deaf Awareness Week aims to promote the positive aspects of deafness, promote social inclusion and raise awareness of the huge range of local organisations that support deaf people and their family and friends. Our local college offers the British Sign Language 8 week course for anyone interest.
We, as a Disability Confident Employer, are in the process of installing a hearing loop in our main office. See information about Disability Confidence here
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