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Telephone 0808 808 0123
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Telephone 0808 808 0123
Textphone 0808 808 9000
informationline@rnid.org.uk
RNID: For deaf and hard of hearing people.
Deafviews, issue 171
Deafview provides short up-to-date news stories and is brought to you courtesy of Teletext. You can also find Deafview on page 177 of Channel 4's Teletext service and Channel 4's digital and satellite Teletext service on page 837. If you have any news stories, information or events you want included in Deafview, please contact the Editor, Tim Russell, on (telephone) 0207 296 8145, (textphone) 0207 296 8029 or email: tim.russell@rnid.org.uk. You can also visit the teletext website at www.teletext.co.uk (external link)
TV star presents Sense Awards
Sense staff, volunteers and deafblind people were presented with awards for their exceptional achievements at a recent ceremony in London. Richard Wilson, star of the BBC sitcom One Foot in the Grave, presented awards to Lorraine Preisner (Deafblind Person of the Year), Pearl Shaw, (Volunteer of the Year), Helen Potter (Employee of the Year) and many more. See the Sense website (external link, opens new browser window) for a full list.
A ceremony with a difference
Actor Richard Wilson said he was amazed at the dedication, innovation and good work of the Sense award winners. "Award ceremonies can sometimes be simply a pat on the back,
however these awards are different because they recognise the people who make a real difference to deafblind people's lives through campaigning, volunteering, working with deafblind people or academic research."
Charity appoints new Chairman
RNID has announced that it is appointing Gerald Corbett as the new Chairman of its Board of Trustees. He takes over from James Strachan at the charity's AGM on 26 October. Gerald Corbett said: "I am honoured and excited at being able to take up this new challenge. RNID is one of the UK's leading voluntary organisations and I want to build on the achievements of James and the management team."
Interpreter wins innovators award
London-based sign language interpreter Brigitte Francois has won a prize for best innovation in ICT at the EU Women Inventors and Innovators Awards. Brigitte, who is a mother of four from a deaf family, set up SignVideo in 2005. It was the first video call centre in Europe to provide sign language users with remote video interpreting service.
Millions miss out on hearing aids
A new report by scientists from South Bank University, London, says that more than 7.5 million people in the UK have a hearing loss. And yet fewer than one in six of those who could benefit from a hearing aids use one. The study, commissioned by Hear-it AISBL, warns that untreated hearing loss can have a serious social and emotional impact on people.
Can you help?
The National Deaf Children's Society is looking for more family supporters to join its network in London.These are experienced parents or carers of deaf children who can visit or talk to other families about their experiences. The charity will provide training. For more details, ring 020 7704 6597 (tel/fax), 07966 341 036 (mobile/SMS) or email zobia@ndcs.org.uk.
Info stand launched
RNID is launching a new monthly stand at Newbury's West Berkshire Hospital to inform people about deafness. The information point opened on 3 July and will run from 10am to 2pm on the first Tuesday of every month in the hospital's reception area. Volunteer co-ordinator, Rachel Trett, said: "Our new stand will help us to reach out further to people in Newbury and raise awareness of hearing loss."
Signed theatre - Playing God
Deafinitely Theatre is touring the UK with their new production Playing God. You can catch the play at:
- Assembly Rooms, Derby - 12-13 July.
- Contact, Manchester - 16 July.
- Soho Theatre, London - 24 July-4 August.
The play is in British Sign Language with a voiceover. For more details, visit the Deafinitely Theatre website (external link, opens new browser window).