"LOOK AT ME"

Deaf Awareness Week 2012 - Monday 7th May to Sunday 13th May

Monday 7th to Sunday 13th May is Deaf Awareness Week when organisations working with deaf people across the country are inviting everyone to 'Look At Me'. The theme aims to improve understanding of the different types of deafness by highlighting the many different methods of communication used by deaf, deafened, deafblind and hard of hearing people, such as sign language and lipreading.

Supported by over one hundred deaf charities and organisations under the umbrella of the UK Council on Deafness, Deaf Awareness Week involves a UK wide series of national and local events. "The UK Council on Deafness are delighted to coordinate the all-inclusive Deaf Awareness Week campaign, promoting the positive aspects of deafness, social inclusion and raising awareness of the huge range of local and national organisations that support deaf people and their family and friends."

During Deaf Awareness Week (7-13 May 2012), a group of organisations representing deaf people are joining forces to call on healthcare services to improve their access, and to commission interpreting services that use only appropriately qualified sign language interpreters for Deaf patients.

The organisations involved are: Action on Hearing Loss, ASLI (Association of Sign Language Interpreters), NRCPD (National Registers of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People), BDA (British Deaf Association), SignHealth, Signature, Action on Hearing Loss, BSMHD (British Society for Mental Health and Deafness).

The new research shows that 41% of surveyed people who use British Sign Language (BSL) as their first language have left a health appointment feeling confused about their medical condition, because the interpretation was not of an adequate standard. 68% said they have asked for an interpreter to be booked for a GP appointment but did not get one.

People who are deaf have the legal right to experience the same level of service as other patients so, to avoid unnecessary confusion, anxiety or embarrassment, it is vital that they can access communication support best suited to their individual needs.

To sign the petition calling for local health services to use only interpreters registered with the National Registers of Communications Professionals (NRCPD), which shows they meet the required standard for communicating essential medical information, visit http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/deafaccess

By following the links below you can find examples of what has happened in recent years, examples of good practice, guidance about holding events and much more...

Contact us
UK Council on Deafness, Westwood Park, Little Horkesley, Colchester, CO6 4BS.
Telephone 01206 274075
Text 01206 274076
Fax 01206 274077
Or send us an Email info@deafcouncil.org.uk