LISTENING BUS TO AID DEAF CHILDREN

From: The Sentinel, UK - Oct 16, 2003

BY PRIYA SUCHDEV

Deaf children from Stoke-on-Trent are being invited to climb aboard a new "listening bus" which helps showcase a mobile exhibition of the latest hearing aids.

The Listening Bus will make a stop at Willows Primary School, Greatbatch Avenue, Penkull, tomorrow between 10am and 3.30pm. The road-show has been organised by The National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) in partnership with HSBC Bank.

The exhibition will allow deaf children and their families to view state of the art equipment including, amplified phones, alarm clocks that flash or shake under the pillow, doorbells and phones that flash to alert you.

There will also be the opportunity to talk to experts from the NDCS technology service, and get information about the support and services that are available from the charity.

Susan Daniels, NDCS chief executive, said: "Technology is transforming the lives of deaf people.

"Having grown up deaf myself, I know only to well how important it is to receive the right information and equipment, which can both educate and liberate.

"The Listening Bus brings the latest information and equipment directly to parents and children, giving them the opportunity to experience new and different kinds of technology practically on their own doorsteps."

With the support of HSBC, the listening bus has travelled almost 104,000 miles and more than 39,800 visitors have benefited from its services.

Executive of HSBC in the Community, Peter Bull, said: "HSBC is committed to supporting the local community, and we are proud of our affiliation with the Listening Bus, which provides a vital service for families in the heart of the community."

An estimated 840 children are born with a significant hearing loss every year in the UK and six in every 1,000 children require special educational support due to their hearing loss.

The NDCS which was founded in 1944 has 120 parent support groups across the UK offering local support for parents of deaf children, organising regular meetings, fund-raising events and family activities.

© Northcliffe Electronic Publishing Ltd.