The UK’s Council on Deafness created Deaf Awareness Week to increase the visibility of the challenges that deaf people face. According to the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS), there are over 50,000 deaf children in the UK. The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) says there are 12 million adults in the UK with hearing loss greater than 25 dBHL. They estimate that by 2035, there will be around 14.2 million adults with this kind of hearing loss. All of them deserve to be included in society.
Deaf Awareness Week is important for a myriad of reasons. It promotes the positive aspects of living with deafness. In addition, it educates more people about hearing loss. In having an increased awareness of the deaf community, we can also recognize the achievements of deaf individuals. This is important because deafness is an invisible disability, so deaf people are often overlooked.
Originating in Rome, Italy in 1958, the purpose of Deaf Awareness Week is to provide a united front on a global level to raise awareness about the deaf community, its accomplishments and culture. The week also generates awareness of British Sign Language and making society a more accessible place for those with hearing aids.
“Originating in Rome, Italy in 1958, the purpose of Deaf Awareness Week is to provide a united front on a global level to raise awareness about the deaf community, its accomplishments and culture.”
So how can you support Deaf Awareness Week? There are several things you can do to join the movement in spreading awareness for the deaf community. Here are some ideas:
Read more: Spreading Deaf Awareness in Your Community
The way you communicate with deaf people matters as well. Some ways you can enhance communication include:
Read more: 4 Inclusion Tips for Deaf Awareness Week
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