Deaf Awareness Week

Deaf Awareness Week celebrates the collective achievements of organisations working with deaf people and recognises the positive steps taken by employers and services to make sure deaf and hard of hearing people are treated fairly and have equal access.

Who celebrates?

Everyone – it’s a global awareness day!

How do people celebrate?

People and organisations celebrate via educational events about deaf awareness and accessibility internally and externally.

What should I know?

• 1 in 6 UK adults are affected by hearing loss
• Hearing loss is associated with other mental and physical health conditions such as dementia
• 65% of people with hearing loss are in employment
• 151,000 people in the UK use British Sign Language.

How can I support others?

• Increase your awareness using the additional resources
• Include people with hearing loss by asking what helps them, and never dismissing their question if they didn’t hear something
• Talk to your colleagues about the representation of people with hearing loss among your volunteer, employee and service user population and what you’re doing to ensure you are representative
• Make your colleagues and service users aware of the accessibility and adjustments available in your organisation.

Hearing Link: Hearing Loss facts: https://www.hearinglink.org/your-hearing/about-hearing/facts-about-deafness-hearing-loss/

RNID info and support: https://rnid.org.uk/information-and-support/

10 useful signs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKgveRTPWd8