Auditory Verbal UK’s Post

Until a few years ago when my son was born, I knew nothing about deafness. Like most people I had elderly relatives who were losing their hearing and who joked about their “deaf side” but I had very little appreciation of how inaccessible the world can be for the deaf community. This week it is Deaf Awareness Week. 12 million adults (1 in 5) and 50,000 kids in the UK are deaf so it pays for us all to be more aware and inclusive. If you work with someone who is deaf, then here are 5 easy tips: 1.      Ask them what they need and how they want to communicate. 2.      Make sure you have their attention before you speak to them. 3.      Allow them to see your face clearly to read your lips and expressions. Don’t stand in front of a bright window or insist on having the lights low during a presentation. 4.      If they don’t hear you first time – please don’t say “never mind”. 5.      Speak one at a time. A room full of voices is hard to follow. As an aside, if you have young kids and want to teach them more about deaf awareness then I suggest getting the book Freddie and the Fairy by Julia Donaldson – I have adult friends who have found this useful too! If you’re interested in learning more then there are some great resources from the National Deaf Children’s Society - https://lnkd.in/eHQSXPYh How deaf aware do you think you and your workplace are?

1 in 6 people in the UK are deaf or have hearing loss, with 125K adults using British Sign Language in the UK. Wonderful session on 'Deaf Awareness' this afternoon delivered by Deaf Action at Clyde & Co. Deaf Action supports deaf users of British Sign Language, and those who are deafened, deafblind or hard of hearing. It was really insightful to hear of the issues faced by people who are deaf or hard of hearing, including difficulty with communication, confidence, access to services and information, reduced social opportunities and dealing with the public's general unawareness of the issues. #deafawareness #learninganddevelopment

Congratulations to all the Members of Parliament elected to the House of Commons👏 This Parliament must champion deaf children. It must support the urgent investment needed in early, effective support for all deaf children to develop language and communication, whether they use sign language, spoken language or both. Deaf children in the UK currently face a lifetime of disadvantage without access to early, effective support to develop language and communication. But together, we can change this.  For those families who want their deaf child to learn to listen and talk, increasing access to Auditory Verbal therapy is vital. Recent public research shows that 85% of UK adults believe Auditory Verbal therapy should be available to deaf children via publicly funded services. But currently, less than 10% of deaf children can access this support.  We’re ready to work with you to ensure all deaf children have the same opportunities in life as their hearing peers.  It’s time to Hear Us Now.  https://lnkd.in/d5tvqnqh  #HearUsNow #GeneralElection #UKParliament #DeafChildren #VitalSupport  

Are you deaf aware? Some simple communication tips to ensure inclusive practice beyond #DeafAwarenessWeek British Deaf Association National Deaf Children's Society

We're supporting Deaf Awareness Week to raise awareness and create a more understanding and inclusive environment where everyone feels empowered. We can all play our part to be more deaf aware, both at work and in daily life. 🤝   The National Deaf Children's Society has provided communication tips when interacting with individuals who may be deaf or have hearing loss. It's important to keep in mind that everyone has different communication needs, so it's best to ask for their preferences. #DeafAwarenessWeek #DAW2024

❓Are you part of a Deaf or hard-of-hearing family looking to improve communication and build stronger, more positive relationships? I'm hosting a FREE 40-minute webinar designed specifically for Deaf families to help create more joy and understanding in your day-to-day interactions. As a Deaf business owner and someone who grew up feeling isolated, I know firsthand the challenges many Deaf individuals face when it comes to feeling heard, understood, and connected within their own families. What You'll Learn: 👉 Simple strategies to improve communication between Deaf and hearing family members 👉 How to build a positive and supportive family environment 👉Tips for embracing and celebrating Deaf identity as a family 👉 Practical tools for navigating difficult conversations with understanding and compassion 👉 How to access support including Government funding Let’s work together to create more joy and connection within your family, fostering the bond between Deaf and hearing members. You deserve to feel seen and supported at home! ❓Who is this for? Deaf individuals and families with Deaf or hard-of-hearing members Parents and siblings who want to enhance their communication with Deaf family members Anyone in the Deaf community seeking more positivity in their family dynamic Join me in this empowering session and start building better connections today! 👉 For more details and to book (it's free) click here: https://lnkd.in/e-WmJB3u

Dear Prime Minister Keir Starmer, today, ahead of your first Prime Ministers Questions, deaf children and young people across the country are urging you and your government to become their champions 🌟 We need you and your team, including Rt. Hon. Wes Streeting MP, to ensure every deaf child has the same opportunities in life as their hearing peers by investing in early, effective support to develop language and communication development, whether their families wish to use sign language, spoken language, or both. For families who wish for their deaf child to learn to listen and speak, access to Auditory Verbal therapy is crucial. This evidence-based, family-centred early intervention approach is delivering consistent results, with international and national evidence showing around 80% of deaf children following the Auditory Verbal approach can achieve age-appropriate spoken language. Yet, 90% of deaf children in the UK are currently unable to access this support. Together, we can remove barriers to opportunity and ensure every deaf baby and child gets the best start in life 💙 It’s time to Hear Us Now! 👉 https://lnkd.in/d5tvqnqh #PMQs #DeafChildren #Deafness

Day 7 of International Week of Deaf People (IWDP): On the final day of IWDP, we’re focusing on investing in the future of Deaf communities. We’re calling on everyone to support Deaf children and their families by fostering connections with Deaf communities, ensuring early exposure to national sign languages, and providing access to language-rich environments. We’re spotlighting the BSL in Our Hands campaign: With over 50,000 deaf children across the UK—90% born to hearing parents with no knowledge of sign language—it’s time to act. Early language acquisition is vital, yet many parents face thousands in costs just to communicate with their child. There is a world of potential in every deaf child’s hands. We just need to give it to them. We need BSL in our hands, right now. Their future is in your hands! To support the campaign go to: https://lnkd.in/eKBc3u8j #IWDP2024 #BSLinOurHands #SignLanguageRights @WFD

This is something that is 100% accurate. For someone who is profoundly deaf in my left ear, I struggle in everyday life and activities and therefore hold Deaf Awareness so close to my heart. For those who aren't familiar with someone who is deaf, all I urge you to remember is to just be patient. I don't expect everyone to know about my hearing loss, nor do I expect people to know sign language as I, myself, only know the basics. Speaking clear and slow and being patient is the best you can do when speaking to someone who is deaf or hard of hearing. I know, personally, I get extremely frustrated too a lot of the time, especially when I have to ask multiple times for someone to repeat something. If anyone wants to learn more about BSL or begin to learn, please visit https://lnkd.in/gyUZC6UX #DeafAwarenessWeek #SignLangauge #BSL #BritishSignLanguage #HearingLossAwareness #DeafAwarenessWeek2024

This week, 6-12th May we are celebrating Deaf Awareness Week This awareness shines a spotlight on the challenges faced by the Deaf Community, fostering empathy and understanding among the general population. It is a chance for individuals to learn about the deaf culture, the importance of Sign Language, and the need for accessible communication. How to be more deaf aware? 1. Understanding Deafness. 2. The Signs that Someone Can't Hear You. 3. Getting Someone's Attention. 4. Body Position is Important. 5. Speak in a Clear, UNexaggerated Way. 6. Use Simple Body Language and Visual Cues. 7. Writing to Communicate. 8. Everyone is different. #DeafAwarenessWeek #backingyouforlife #spinalcordinjury #sis #scotland