UK Council on Deafness

November Bulletin

In this Bulletin

• New Members
• UK Council on DEafness Trustee Election Results
• Promoting Achievement in Deaf Young People Conference
• BSL Initiatives Conference - 7th December
• RNID Video Interpreting Guidlines
• Opportunities for Volunteering Grants
• Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre
• Samaritans Text Messaging Service Trial

New Members

Welcome to our new Member Organisations joining this month:

Children of Deaf Parents UK (CoDPuk) aims to inform, mentor and work with deaf parents in the UK in broadening the horizons of nurturing their children’s self esteem.

Merseyside Society for Deaf People was established to address the many barriers and inequalities experienced by Deaf people. MSDP seeks to ensure that Deaf people achieve a full, active and influencing role in mainstream society.

Full contact details can be found in the Directory of Member Organisations at www.deafcouncil.org.uk/memdir.htm

UK Council on Deafness Trustee Election Results

The results of the 2005 Trustee Elections were announced at the AGM on 1 November.

Elected to serve as Chair for one year is Susan Daniels

The successful candidates in the Trustee Elections, to serve a three year term, are:

Damian Barry
Tom Fenton
Vivienne Michael
Miranda Pickersgill
Steve Powell
Bryan Sheppard
Paul Simpson

We are grateful for the support given by those Trustees retiring this year: David Buxton, Steve Rooney and Teresa Waldron and in particular to our outgoing Chair of the last six years, Ruth Myers, who has played a leading role in establishing and developing UKCoD since 1994.

Being held on 22nd November 2005 at the Britannia Street Conference Centre, Kings Cross, London.

For education professionals in specialist schools and HI Units, youth workers, social workers, project managers and professionals working with young deaf people. A unique opportunity to network with colleagues and find out about initiatives from across the UK taking place in schools, colleges and the community to promote achievement for deaf young people.

Presentations include:  Anne Marie Hall, Deputy Director UK Services (Education, Health and Social Care) at NDCS with a presentation entitled "The achievements of young deaf people: past, present and future”.  Alison Weaver, President Elect of BATOD, a teacher of the Deaf and the Sensory and Physical Team Leader, within the Inclusive Education Service for Nottingham City LEA.  Ernst Thoutenhoofd, Researcher at the Scottish Sensory Centre, University of Edinburgh on the Achievements of Deaf Pupils in Scotland (ADPS) project.  Sean Noone and Taylor Capewell, two young deaf people, will share their achievements of been involved in many diverse and challenging projects, including being the first deaf members of the UK Youth Parliament, and a Youth Advisor on the UNICEF Youth Board.  Richard Linley, Operations Manager Curriculum at Derby College. Derby College-Deaf Access has evolved from a specialist college to mainstream college specialism, supporting both National and regional students.  Robin Ash, Senior Deaf Education Instructor at Frank Barnes School a sign bilingual primary school for deaf children situated in the London Borough of Camden.  Deborah Carter, Headteacher at Ovingdean Hall School for Deaf Children in Brighton, providing a specialised teaching approach which, maximises children's potential for spoken language.  Cheryll Ford, Principal at Royal School for the Deaf Derby where a programme has been developed to guide deaf young people into full time education, training at college or training provider or work, sometimes with additional support and with a strong emphasis on independence.

This programme is currently being developed and is subject to change. For more information or if you would like to exhibit at this conference please contact Jenny Hitchen j.hitchen@deafcouncil.org.uk

BSL Initiatives Conference – 7 December

The Department for Work and Pensions are holding a conference to provide information about projects they have funded with the £1.5 million made available to support the statement recognising BSL as a language in its own right, which are designed to increase awareness of, and access to, British Sign Language. The conference is on Wednesday 7 December at Novotel London West, Hammersmith, London. Anne McGuire, the Minister for Disabled People, will open the conference. Anyone wishing to attend the event must register by completing the online booking form at www.livegroup.co.uk/bsl by 11 November.
Further details can be found on the website or please contact the conference office at
bsl@livegroup.co.uk
Telephone 020 8481 3307
Fax 020 8481 2020

RNID Video Interpreting Guidelines

RNID have produced guidelines for the use of Video Interpreting, including a symbol, developed for businesses to use which can be easily recognised to show where Video Interpreting is available. The good practice guide sets out the standard of service deaf people can expect when accessing video interpreting at locations displaying this logo. By using the logo a service provider has agreed to adhere to the standards set out in the charter. For copies of the guidelines and stickers and posters of the symbol please contact James Bailey, Video Interpreting Development Officer, RNID, Wilton House, 5 College Square North, Belfast, BT1 6AR. Email james.bailey@rnid.org.uk Telephone/ Textphone 028 9023 9619 Fax 028 9031 2032

Opportunities for Volunteering Grants

UK Council on Deafness has Department of Health funding available to support volunteering in new three-year projects to start in April 2006. 1st Step application forms are now available and the deadline for returning the completed 1st Step application forms is 23 December 2005. Full details of the criteria for Opportunities for Volunteering Projects at www.deafcouncil.org.uk/grants.htm or contact Roger Hewitt r.hewitt@deafcouncil.org.uk to request an application form.

Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre

The Economic and Social Research Council have announced the award of funding for a significant new research centre to be based at the University College London Department of Human Communication Science. The funding is £4.5 million over an initial 5 year period to enable the study of deafness, linguistic systems and communication. The aim is to create a world class hub of excellence that will connect various fields of research in a new way, ranging from neuroscience and linguistics to the deaf individual in the community. Changing the perception of deafness by the hearing community, and transferring communications techniques will be other aspects of the centre’s role. The work will be carried out in collaboration with other institutes and in partnerships with the many organisations working with deaf people. The Director of the Centre, Professor Bencie Woll states: ‘The creation of the Centre places research with deaf people at the core of linguistic and psychological research. By studying deaf people’s language we will be able to illuminate all aspects of human communication’ . For further details telephone 0207 679 4057 or email b.woll@ucl.ac.uk

Samaritans Text Messaging Service Trial

Samaritans tested a  text messaging service at V and Reading festivals and established that it was possible to provide emotional support through SMS text messages and have now decided to try a longer trial over a 3 month period between 31/10/05 and 31/1/06.  The aim of this pilot is to obtain a better insight towards future requirements and also gauge the level of demand whilst at the same time offering genuine emotional support to those in need.  There are plans to develop the service further after consulting with both the volunteers providing emotional support and users of the service, either individually or through groups/organisations.  Samaritans stress that it is not a requirement that they obtain feedback for people to use this service and anonymity will be maintained.  The service will only be open between 6pm and 10pm for the duration of the pilot. The service is available now until 31 January 2006, the number to text is 07725 909090 and standard call rates will apply.

UK Council on Deafness, Registered Charity Number 1038448

Your use of this site is in accordance with our Privacy Statement

© UK Council on Deafness, 2003-5.