All aboard – pupils enjoy bus fun

From: St. Albans Observer, UK - Jan 14, 2004

By Staff reporter

DEAF children from St Albans thought a special bus that stopped at Townsend School was just the ticket on Friday, January 9.

The Listening Bus belongs to The National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) and is a pioneering roadshow bringing the latest technology, aids and information directly to deaf children and their families.

Amplified phones, alarm clocks that flash under the pillow and special pager smoke alarms were just some of the new technical aids that children, parents and teachers tried out.

Experts from the NDCS were also on hand at the exhibition held at the school in High Oaks, St Albans, to advise on the range of help and services freely available for deaf children.

NDCS chief executive Susan Daniels said: "Technology is transforming the lives of deaf children. Having grown up deaf myself, I know only too 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.

"Without the bus families might otherwise not find out about the services or equipment available to them which could make a real, significant difference to their lives."

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