Deaf Awareness Week 2018 starts 14th May, but you may be asking – “what is deaf awareness?”
Deaf Awareness Week is about ‘promoting the positive aspects of deafness’ and ‘promoting social inclusion,’ and aims to raise awareness of deaf issues for all the people and organisations who may work, live, or interact with deaf or hard of hearing people.
There are many events being held nationwide during the week, which may involve learning the impact of language barriers on deaf people, learning and understanding basic British Sign Language, lip-reading and also the availability of different specialist equipment – from hearing aids, fire alarms, alerters, flashing doorbells etc.
Most importantly, deaf awareness is about understanding and helping the person that is deaf – making he or she feel involved, and Deaf Awareness Week is a great chance to make people aware of the support available to them and the various organistations that offer support.
Maybe you would like to learn British Sign Language (BSL), or learn how to communicate effectively with a deaf person? Or maybe you would just like to get involved in some of the events taking place or want to be notified of any social events? Maybe your child is deaf and as a hearing parent you don’t know where to turn to receive the support that you need? Whatever your needs or interests, Deaf Awareness Week 2018 may have something for you.
One event in Sheffield has been organised by Action on Hearing Loss and takes place at Ikea, Sheffield Road, Tinsley. The event has been organised to provide information towards increasing understanding of hearing loss, deafness and tinnitus whilst also raising awareness of Action on Hearing Loss’ work, encouraging people to get involved.
Deaf Awareness Week is supported nationally by more than one hundred Charities and Organisations, and is a great chance to learn, improve skills and get involved, whether you are a complete novice or an experienced professional looking at expanding your knowledge, or a deaf or hard of hearing person.
• Health and Social Care – information referrals and support
• Employment Support
• Ensure people have the accessible information they need
• Provide information on relevant organistions – Sheffield Deaf Advice Team, and Action on Hearing Loss, to name but a few.
• Information and location of BSL and Lip reading courses
• Performances
• Basic BSL taster sessions
To help you to better support deaf people, we have produced some helpful posters to encourage you to raise awareness and play an active role in supporting and including deaf people in whatever you do: 1 Guide to Deaf Awareness 2 BSL Greetings Poster 3 BSL Finger Spelling Poster
For more information on both Deafness and Deaf Awareness Week, visit:
• Action on Hearing Loss
• Sheffield Deaf Advice Team
• British Deaf Association
• British Society for Mental Health and Deafness
• Deafblind UK
