This year’s Deaf Awareness Week runs from 1st-7th May 2023 and the theme is ‘Access to Communication’. Deaf Awareness Week is an annual event that aims to raise awareness about the Deaf community and their language, culture, and history. It is a time to celebrate Deaf identity, promote Deaf culture and advocate for equal access to communication and services for the Deaf and hard of hearing. This week-long event provides an opportunity for individuals and organisations to come together and support the Deaf community, learn about their experiences, and work towards a more inclusive and accessible society.
Read on to find out more about this theme of Access to Communication, national organisations supporting Deaf children and adults, support and resources, as well as Newcastle based organisations.
Access to Communication
The aim of this year’s Deaf Awareness Week is to promote greater awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by the Deaf community in accessing communication. The theme highlights the need for breaking down the communication barriers that prevent Deaf people from fully participating in society, leading to social isolation, limited employment opportunities, and reduced access to essential services. These barriers can include a lack of access to sign language interpreters, limited captioning and subtitling in videos and online content and a general lack of awareness of the communication needs of Deaf individuals.
To address these issues, this year’s Deaf Awareness Week will focus on raising awareness of the communication needs of the Deaf community and advocating for greater access to communication tools and services. It will encourage individuals, organisations, and governments to work together to create a more inclusive society where Deaf individuals have the same access to communication as their hearing counterparts.
Through education, awareness-raising, and advocacy, we can break down the communication barriers that prevent Deaf people from participating fully in society. The goal is to work together to create a world where access to communication is a fundamental human right for everyone, regardless of their hearing ability.
National information and resources
You can find out more about Deaf Awareness Week nationally online at the links below and get more updates and news by following these organisations on social media:
- UK Council on Deafness: UKCoD is the umbrella body for Deaf charities and not for profit organisations working with Deaf people in the UK. They help organisations and the sector to maximise positive impact for Deaf people and liaise with government and other organisations to improve services for the Deaf community. Find out more about the BSL Act, campaigns and work across Government. Follow on Facebook and Twitter
- British Deaf Association: Share a range of signed videos about the theme of access to communication, inclusivity, British Sign Language access and support and integration in society for those who are Deaf and Deafblind. Follow BDA on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn
- National Deaf Children’s Society: Inspiring stories (signed videos) to help celebrate Deaf Awareness Week and make everyday life more deaf-friendly for children and young people, as well as tips for communicating with a Deaf child or young person and being deaf-friendly, myths about deafness and Deaf culture and history. Get updates on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
- RNID: Links to communication tips, being more Deaf aware at work, learning British Sign Language and communication tools for those with hearing loss. Follow RNID on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and/or LinkedIn
Deaf organisations and support in Newcastle
There are a range of organisations based in Newcastle that support the Deaf community, as well as teaching BSL, Deaf Awareness and learning about Deaf Culture.
- Becoming Visible: A Deaf led organisation which supports activities and projects for Deaf people in the wider community, raising awareness and supporting volunteers. They also manage a BSL/English interpreting agency, offer an extensive range of BSL training courses and has established expertise in BSL media translation. Follow them on Twitter, Facebook (for news, events and activities) and YouTube
- Newcastle Deaf Centre: The Centre has a meeting room, bar, kitchen, dining area and social club room and a private garden. It seeks to bring communities together, offers education and career fairs, as well as hosting talks with academics and research groups. It offers welfare and health advice in BSL, as well as creative activities. The centre relaunches on 5th May 2023 and all are welcome.
- Deaflink: A charity providing opportunities for Deaf people to meet and to learn through forums and groups. They also try and help and support people who are having difficulties accessing services or their rights.
- Newcastle City Council Sensory Support Services: A team provides practical support to people with difficulties with sight or hearing and signposts to wider support services.
- North East Mental Health and Deafness Service: This service is for Deaf and Deafblind people aged 18 years or older who use British Sign Language to communicate and who have mental health problems. They work with the Community Treatment Team (CTT) in local areas.