Workshops to mark Deaf Awareness Week

AUDIO TRANSCRIPTION:

LUCY BUXTON: The overall message of Deaf Awareness Week as it's organised in the UK, is looking at making things accessible, especially for children. Here on the island, we have a small number of sign language users, but we have a much higher proportion of people with hearing loss. So, what we are trying to do is a raise awareness of all levels of hearing loss. And deafness amongst the population here on the island.

SIOBHÁN FLETCHER: And like you say, it's not just people who like you say are born deaf. People can have tinnitus, they can kind of lose their hearing as they age or when they're younger. Do you think maybe there should be a bigger discussion about that, about the range of hearing issues?

LUCY BUXTON: I always think there should be. Hearing loss is one of those hidden disabilities. I had a chat with some people in my lip-reading class yesterday about hearing loss - whether it's an impairment, a disability, how they like to describe themselves - and we came to the conclusion that generally because it isn't as visible as some other disabilities, it's often overlooked. And even when people understand that you have a hearing loss, cause you've explained that, they don't truly understand how much it impacts and affects your day-to-day life.

SIOBHÁN FLETCHER: This week then, on Saturday, there's going to be some sessions for people who maybe want to come along and can you tell me a little bit more about what they can expect out of those sessions?

LUCY BUXTON: That's right. So Saturday, 11th of May, we are running three sessions at the Deaf Society. And those sessions will be a combination of some sign language. So you'll certainly learn the manual alphabet, the finger spelling alphabet, and some simple greetings, but it will also include a little bit of lip reading, so you will understand what it's like for someone who relies on lip reading to follow conversation, and there will be some deaf awareness mixed in with that as well.

SIOBHÁN FLETCHER: And then, for anyone who comes along and maybe enjoys it, thinks it's, you know, that they can catch on quite easily, or want to learn more - we have sessions year round. So can you tell me a little bit about those sessions and the courses that you run?

LUCY BUXTON: So the next lot of introduction to British Sign language sessions are starting just after TT. So we're getting TT out of the way and we're going forward with the introduction to sign classes. They are suitable for the complete Beginner or someone who thinks they might like to learn sign language but doesn't really know and doesn't want to commit to a full level one course with examinations and such like. So this gives you a good insight into you know what is involved with sign language.