July 2011 Deafworks E-Newsletter: results of Deaf Awareness competition

Deaf Awareness Top Tip Competition
Thanks to everyone who wrote in; there were lots of excellent ideas.

Judging Panel
We asked a range of Deaf professionals to act as our judging panel. They are:

• Susan Daniels, Chief Executive, The National Deaf Children’s Society 
• Ann Goldfinch, Freelance Consultant, Assessor and Verifier
• Norma McGilp, Writer and Filmmaker 
• Sally Reynolds, Freelance Consultant
• David Rose, Consultant: Deaf and Disability Matters

Results
Some interesting runners up…

“Be visual. Use your eyes to see what Deaf people mean.”
Brigitte Francois, Director of Interpreting Services at Significan’t

“Awareness is the easy bit. It’s doing something about it that counts.”
Robin Wickes, Volunteer for Action on Hearing Loss and Hearing Link

“Please do not shout. I do not understand what you are saying, please write it down.”
Linda Mary Breeze, Homemaker

“Realise that deaf awareness is continuous, not a one-off. Deaf Awareness training does not achieve everything in just a day, it’s much more than that.”
Tyron Woolfe, Deputy Director, Children and Young People, The National Deaf Children’s Society

“Remember each Deaf person, whether BSL user, Hard of Hearing, Deafened, or DeafBlind is an individual. No one is the same, so treat each person as unique and ensure their own communication method is met if possible, whether using a BSL interpreter, exchanging notes, electronic note taking, guide communicator, or another means of communication that suits the individual.”
Paul McCusker, Development Worker, Deaf Connections

Winner
The judges’ favourite tip is:
“Never assume!”
Dr Joe Murray, Learning Officer, National Trust for Scotland

Congratulations Dr Joe Murray, you are our winner and will be receiving a copy of the “Teach Yourself British Sign Language” book/dvd set from Hodder Education.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yourself-British-Language-Complete-Courses/dp/0340991321/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1303912226&sr=8-1

Friends, colleagues, family members
Is there anyone you can think of who would benefit from these tips, or would want to send them on to their friends, colleagues and family members? If so, do forward this email to their inbox. Help spread the word!

See you next month! 

Copyright (c) 2011 Deafworks All rights reserved.