Friday 9 May 2008

Corporate charmer coaxing cash for children's charity

The Guardian's Friday interview is with Vanni Treves, former chairman of Channel 4 and Equitable Life, but now high-profile fundraiser for NSPCC.

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Thursday 8 May 2008

Hearing loss awareness campaign comes to city

RNID Scotland will be giving out advice at St Mary's RC Cathedral on how to spot the signs of hearing loss as part of Deaf Awareness Week. Deidre O'Flynn, RNID Scotland's regional communications officer, said that they are looking forward to speaking to people who are concerned about their hearing or someone they know, and to reassure and inform them about the support and technology that is available so that they don't feel isolated. RNID is also inviting people to upload photographs to represent the sound they would miss the most in a national photographic competition.

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Why are TV adverts so loud?

In response to The Advertising Standards Authority's receiving of hundreds of complaints from viewers regarding television adverts that appear to be louder than the preceding programmes, The Broadcasting Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP) has published a new rule on sound volume. Starting from 7 July, 'advertisements must not be excessively noisy or strident.' Emma Harrison, head of campaigns at RNID, said: "Paradoxically, it's the hard of hearing who are most affronted by noisy ads. It's the biggest single concern among our members."

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RNID announces photo competition for Deaf Awareness Week

RNID has launched a photography competition as part of Deaf Awareness Week. The competition challenges photographers to capture an original, thought-provoking image of the sound they would miss the most if they lost their hearing. Gemma Bevan, RNID's event organiser, said: "Hearing loss can have a profound impact on people's lives. By getting people to imagine a world without sound, we hope to encourage people to be more aware of their hearing."

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BBC Vision reaches 100% subtitling target

BBC Vision has confirmed it has achieved its target of subtitling 100% of programmes on its main channels. Jackie Ballard, RNID's chief executive, congratulates the BBC for rising to the challenge and reaching its goal.

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A world without sound

Actress Barbara Windsor encourages people to consider what sound they'd miss the most as part of RNID's drive to raise awareness during Deaf Awareness Week.

Read the full article in News Letter (Northern Ireland), page 20.

Sounds like a good idea

I Hanson from Glasgow writes in to say that instead of people wearing earplugs when they attend gigs and clubs to prevent hearing damage, why aren’t venues quieter.

Read the full article in Metro, page 18.

Access all areas

As part of the Department of Transport's £370million Access for All programmes, the funding for a new step-free access to a further 13 rail stations in London has been welcomed by TfL. There is a mention on induction loops.

Read the full article in the Metro, page 54.

Wednesday 7 May 2008

Web-based interpreting offers hope for the deaf

Interpreters may no longer be needed at doctor's appointments to aid deaf people thanks to new technology which will enable them to communicate via a remote translator. A web-based video-link, provided by Significan't's call centre, allows the hard of hearing to sit at a computer terminal with a hearing person and communicate sign language with an interpreter sitting in a video call centre. The interpreter will then speak to the hearing people through the same link. RNID welcomes the development but has called for the Government to put more funding towards reducing the cost of interpreting facilities. Guido Gybels, director of new technology at RNID, said: "Ultimately, what you would expect is that deaf people are able to pay the same charges for a call as a hearing person would pay... The funding mechanisms for this simply do not exist to achieve this."

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Singer-songwriter KT Tunstall supports the RNID's Deaf Awareness Week

Brit Award winner KT Tunstall is helping support RNID in raising awareness for Deaf Awareness Week. The charity conducted a straw poll to find out what sound people would miss the most if they lost their hearing. Voice of a loved one won the most votes. Krish Ranaweera, senior media relations officer, said: "KT is aware of the barriers that exist for deaf and hard of hearing people. Her involvement in the music industry also means she knows the importance of looking after your hearing and taking steps to protect it."

Read the full article in Third Sector, page 21. 

KT backs Deaf Awareness Week

KT Tunstall is helping support RNID and their efforts to raise awareness during Deaf Awareness Week, which runs until the 11th May. The charity has released results of a straw poll which asks people which sounds they'd miss the most if they lost their hearing. Voice of a loved one came top, followed closely by music and then laughter. KT, who has a profoundly deaf brother, said, "I'm really pleased to be a part of Deaf Awareness Week, supporting RNID, and hope more people take care of their hearing and break down the barriers and prejudices that still exist today between hearing and deaf people."

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BBC hits target of having all shows subtitled

The BBC's commitment in 1999 to provide subtitling for all its channels has been met. Jackie Ballard, chief executive of RNID, said: "We congratulate the BBC for rising to the challenge and reaching 100% subtitling on its main channels."

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Tuesday 6 May 2008

RNID launch deaf awareness photography competition

As part of Deaf Awareness Week, RNID, the charity for deaf and hard of hearing people, is challenging photographers to imagine a world without sound and capture original, thought-provoking images of the sound they would most miss.

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Sound advice

RNID has launched a new guide to help local authorities ensure their services reach deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK. Sound Solutions provides guidance on what equipment and help is out there to meet disability law requirements.

Read the full article in Local Government Executive, page 7.