A better deal for the deaf

From: Harrow Times - UK - Apr 30, 2004

By Alex Melvin

HARROW Council hopes to get a better deal for the deaf by organising a wide range of activities for National Deaf Awareness Week next month.

On Tuesday, there will be a seminar on the new Disability Discrimination Act 10am until noon at the Civic Centre.

About 50 experts, many of them deaf, will discuss simplifying services for the deaf.

Two days later, the national Deaf Plus organisation will bring its mobile exhibition to Cedars First School in Whittlesea Road, Harrow Weald, from 11am to 4pm.

The Mayor of Harrow, Councillor Mano Dhamarajah, will open the event, and the pupils will be invited aboard the bus to examine equipment used by the deaf.

And from 11am to 4pm on Saturday next week, there will be a roadshow at the St Ann's Centre in St Ann's Road, Harrow, at which representatives from the borough's three main support groups, Harrow Deaf Club, the Asian Deaf Club and the Earwig Club, will offer information and advice.

Julia Redican, the council's team manager of sensory services, said: "We want to promote deaf awareness to the community.

"Sometimes people overlook deaf issues and don't make considerations for deaf people."

Julie, who was born partially deaf, said: "I could give you a million examples of situations that are more difficult for deaf people.

"I was in Wealdstone last week when someone accused me of rudeness because I didn't respond to something they had shouted out.

"We want to try to make people understand more about the deaf."

All National Deaf Awareness Week events are free and open to the public. For more information, call Julia on 020 8420 9530

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