Deaf Awareness week: 2-8 May 2011
Hello everyone,
Welcome to this year’s Deaf Awareness week organised by the Council on Deafness (www.deafcouncil.org.uk) annually in May.
What does Deaf Awareness mean for us?
We’ve asked deaf people and they say:
- “I want Deaf Awareness week to mean something all the year round.”
- “I want my family to include me in their conversations.”
- “My work colleagues are great – they had a Deaf Awareness session and it made all the difference.”
Top Tips at work
It’s really all very simple!
1) Face the person you are talking to.
2) Repeat things they have missed.
3) Email them notes of meetings.
4) Think carefully about conference calls.
Top Tips for deaf children
They benefit from Deaf Awareness too
1) Don’t get hung up on communication.
2) Let them enjoy their childhood.
3) Include them in games and fun.
4) Explain what’s going on.
Top Tips for home
For an inclusive home life
1) Have a rule that subtitles are always on.
2) Always say who is on the phone.
3) Include everyone at the table in the conversation.
4) Never say: “I’ll tell you later”.
More Top Tips
We asked our friends on Facebook for their favourite Deaf Awareness tips. Here are the best responses we’ve had so far:
- “Never say, “It doesn’t matter”. And the three R’s: Repeat, Rephrase, and wRite it down.”
- “Include deaf and hard of hearing people in your group conversations.”
- “Think before you shout or push the person in front of you as they may be deaf. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve been pushed or shoved because I didn’t hear someone say “excuse me”.”
And one vision for the future:
“I suggest a new subject in the national school curriculum called “Society”. Pupils would learn useful things like first aid, disability awareness, government, self defence, as well as finance (e.g. banking, insurance, how to buy and sell a house or car).”
** COMPETITION **
Complete this sentence in 150 words or less: “My best tip for Deaf Awareness is…” Email your answer to us at general@deafworks.co.uk. Our favourite tip will win a “Teach Yourself BSL” book/DVD set, and will be featured in next month’s e-news. So get writing! You can enter more than once, but all entries must reach us by 6pm on Tuesday 31st May 2011.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yourself-British-Language-Complete-Courses/dp/0340991321/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1303829109&sr=1-1
See you next month!
P.S. Do pass this e-news on to a relevant person if you think they would benefit.
P.P.S. Let us know of any email address changes.
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