MPs back hearing aid campaign

RNID has welcomed a report on audiology waiting times by the House of Commons Health Committee. The cross-party committee is calling for a maximum 18-week time target to have a hearing aid fitted. The move follows a long campaign by RNID.

Millions excluded from vital help

RNID Chief Executive John Low said: "We welcome this recommendation and believe the Department of Health must act now to achieve this. It was disgraceful that audiology has been excluded from the Government's general 18 week target time. No-one should have to wait more than 18 weeks for a hearing aid, let alone the two years wait some people are facing, especially when digital hearing aids can transform their lives."

Subtitling campaign

RNID is calling on ITV to increase the number of subtitles on its digital channels. "ITV3 and ITV4 only subtitled 13.8% of their programmes in 2006," said Mark Morris, who heads RNID's campaigning work on television access. "It is unacceptable for over 85% of a channel's output to have no subtitles, especially as most of its repeated shows were subtitled when first shown."

Viewers urged  contact ITV chairman

RNID wants deaf and hard of hearing viewers to support their campaign by emailing ITV chairman Michael Grade about the importance of subtitles. Mark Morris said: "Please send an email or letter to Michael Grade, telling him how vital subtitles are for you. You can send an email by visiting www.rnid.org.uk/emailmichael (external link, opens new browser window) or you can write to Michael Grade, Chairman, ITV plc, 200 Gray's Inn Road, London, WC1X 8HF.

Interpreter numbers to increase

RNID has been awarded £350,000 to increase the number of qualified British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters in the East of England. The money will provide training for deaf trainers and assessors, as well as BSL Level 3 training for communication support workers and three apprentice interpreters.     
RNID's partners will be Cambridge Regional College and Deaf Connexions.

Cash boost for Cardiff youth service

A specialist service to help Cardiff's young and deaf and hard of hearing people is to benefit from funding towards running its vital work. RNID Cymru's Cardiff Young People's Support Service received a £4,975 donation from the Echo Trust. The service offers support to young deaf people experiencing a crisis, including a range of activities to prevent mental health problems.

The birds, the bees and so much more!

A signed tour looking at the amazing variety of plants, insects and birds in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, will be held on Saturday 26 May 2007 at 2pm. Tickets are £4/£3.50. Meet at the East Gate in Inverleith Row. Telephone 020 7449 6551 or visit the Royal Botanic Gardens website (external link, opens new browser window) to book tickets.

Pioneering information service

Tameside MBC, Greater Manchester, is one of the first authorities in the country to offer a library enquiry service via SMS text messaging. This quick and easy method of contact mean deaf or hard of hearing people can now text the enquiry service on 07968 993 869 for information. They can also ring 0161 342 2031 or email karen.heathcote@tameside.gov.uk.

Animal magic

London Zoo will be holding a series of signed events for deaf children on Saturday 16 June 2007. Highlights include the exciting Gorilla Kingdom exhibit and Rainforest Lookout Animals in Action display. The events are part of the zoo's annual Special Children's Day. Telephone 020 7449 6551 or email education.adminn@zsl.org To book tickets.

Captioned Shakespeare

London's Barbican Theatre will be staging a captioned performance of Shakespeare's classic play, Cymbeline, on Saturday 16 June 2007 at 2.30pm. To book your tickets, ring the theatre box office on 0845 120 7511 (tel), 020 7382 7297 (textphone) or email tickets@barbican.org.uk