(2005, June 3). Deaf can text 999 calls. Police are to use text message technology to enable people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired to contact the emergency services in Northern Ireland. The project, launched by the Chief Constable today, was developed in partnership with the Deaf Association of Northern Ireland and BT.
(2005, June 3). Emergency text service for deaf. A new PSNI text messaging service will mean people with hearing or speech problems will be able to contact the emergency services using mobile phones. The project was developed by the police in partnership with the Deaf Association of NI and British Telecom.
(2005, May 20). Mother's plea for deaf awareness. Charlotte Jenkins' son, Wilfred, was born deaf but with the help of the Thomas Wolsey School in Ipswich and the Royal School for Deaf Children in Kent, where he is now a pupil, he has made giant strides in speaking and in the use of sign language... She is appealing to people to support Deaf Awareness...
(2005, May 9). Research into service for deaf. A one-year research project has been set up to explore the problems and barriers which deaf people within Wales face when accessing health care services... The research will be carried out in 12 general hospitals across Wales and aims to identify new ways of working to improve services for deaf and hard of hearing people.
(2005, May 6). Avatar signs Web pages for the deaf. Those deaf people who have trouble understanding written English could soon be able to access online information faster and easier, according to software experts at a British university who have created a virtual human that uses sign language to read out a Web page.
(2005, May 5). Norwich develops virtual interpreter for the deaf. Guido is a virtual signer and was on-line for the first time this week to present information to deaf people on the website of Norfolk-based charity Deaf Connexions and was launched to coincide with Deaf Awareness Week. Anyone logging onto the Deaf Connexions website will now be able to watch the virtual signer interpret forms and information when they click onto a small fist icon.
(2004, May 4). UK computer boffins build sign language avatar. Computer scientists at the University of East Anglia (UEA) have joined forces with animation specialists at Televirtual, and the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) to create a signing avatar capable of translating written web pages into British sign language.
(2005, May 4). Deaf children. The National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) is the only organisation solely dedicated to the support of deaf children and young people, their families and professionals working with them. NDCS is promoting Deaf Awareness Week - May 2-8 - to improve understanding of deafness and of communication.
(2005, May 4). Deaf Awareness week. Deaf Awareness Week and organisations working with deaf people across the country are inviting local candidates to ÔLook At Me'. The theme aims to improve understanding of the different types of deafness by highlighting the many different methods of communication used by deaf, deafened, deafblind and hard of hearing people, such as sign language and lipreading.
(2005, May 3). Virtual signer for deaf web users. A "virtual signer" is to provide information to deaf people online. Guido is the creation of University of East Anglia computer experts and animation company Televirtual.
(2005, April 14). 1 in 7 patients is deaf or hard of hearing, joint conference for GPs, UK. "Can your patients understand you?" being held at the RCGP in London, will look at the communication barriers affecting deaf and hard of hearing patients and their GPs and will suggest some useful strategies to help overcome those barriers.
(2005, April 14). Look at courses. Lip reading and sign language will be on the agenda during North Hertfordshire College's Deaf Awareness Week campaign. Look at Me campaign will run from May 2 to May 8. The college aims to raise awareness of different types of deafness and the forms of communication used by deaf people.
(2005, April 13). Cinemas sign up to help sensory impaired. The Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission's (NIFTC) cinema access programme is aimed at enabling deaf, hard of hearing, blind and partially sighted people to enjoy the latest films released in cinemas through specialist subtitling and audio description equipment.
(2005, April 13). Wearable captioning system to make public venues accessible to people with hearing problems. The system, which relies on mobile wireless technology, will allow users to easily receive information that is being presented audibly to the general public in a variety of public venues, such as movie theaters, museums, playhouses, schools, government meetings, sports arenas, transit stations and places of worship. Because the system can transmit multiple text streams, it may also be used for language translation; its software is internationally compatible.
(2005, April 11). Leading deaf charity responds to "Towards equity and access: Mental health and Deafness." BID Services with Deaf People is a leading charity providing services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communities around the Birmingham and West Midlands. As an organisation it welcomes the Government's commitment to the issues of Mental Health amongst the Deaf, as detailed in the document. The guidance also highlights the higher than average number of incidences of Mental Health issues amongst the Deaf and Hard of Hearing prison population.
(2005, April 5). Deaf 'face a lottery over postcodes.' RNID's report A Simple Cure revealed, due to communication problems with health professionals, that a third of deaf and hard of hearing people had been left unclear about their condition, and 33% of sign language users were unsure of how much medication to take, which could have serious consequences.
(2005, March 21). Deaf composer unveils work. A series of four world premieres by a deaf Edinburgh composer are to be performed in the Capital. James Douglas has written a series of 75 works - each dedicated to a person or group who has helped him since a chronic ear infection caused him to go deaf 14 years ago.
(2005, March 18). Deaf talkabout: Looking for signs of improvement. March 29, 2004, was an important day for Northern Ireland's deaf community. That was the day the British Government announced the recognition of British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language as languages in their own right.
(2005, March 5). Deaf use different 'dialects' Deaf people have regional accents when they use sign language, scientists said yesterday. Milk, for instance, in Bristol is two clenched fists rubbing together while Glaswegians point the index finger of the left hand at the clenched fingers of the right. University of Bristol researchers have so far identified at least 50 words that vary nationally. Now they are asking 70,000 signers to provide a film of their hands in motion for a dictionary of the dialects.
(2005, March 4). Education: Parents' fears for deaf daughters. The parents of two deaf schoolgirls have spoken out about fears for their children's future after funding for classroom support was put under threat. Wendy Fassler, mum of eight-year-old Shannon, and Amanda Ayres, mum of April (7), fear schooling could become a "nightmare" for their families following funding changes.
(2005, February 21). RNID sets new standards for accessible Websites. RNID, the UK's leading organisation representing the needs of the 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people, will shortly be launching its new 'user-centred' website. Following extensive user-testing, RNID has created a powerful new site combining a high level of accessibility and strong design. The new website has been completely redeveloped based on extensive research with website users.
(2005, February 14). Valentine's: Evelyn and I. We are of the same heart and mind and have grieved and rejoiced together. Bob McCullough is the Belfast Telegraph's Deaf Talkabout columnist. He and wife Evelyn, who is also deaf, celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this year.
(2005, February 14). Significant help for deaf. A company providing communication services for deaf people has just signed a revolutionary deal with the National Health Service. The new contract with Significan't, a company based at the Start International Centre in Woolwich, and Bowne Global Solutions will allow the health service to make sign language interpretation available 24 hours a day.
(2005, February 14). How we view being deaf. One of the biggest difficulties in writing this column is trying to bridge the gulf between those who see sign language as the solution to all our problems and others who prefer the term 'hearing impaired' and want to make use of modern means of amplification such as hearing aids and cochlear implants.
(2005, February 7). Three counties 999 text service launches. Residents in Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire who are deaf or have hearing difficulties will be able to text emergency calls to 999 operators. The service was launched by Police, Fire and Ambulance services on Monday morning.
(2005, February 4). This side up, Unity Theatre. Meyyappan is a tremendous performer, part Chaplin, part Mr. Bean part Marcel Marceau. As a deaf performer who communicates off-stage through sign language it is noticeable that some sort of sign language style mime also comes into the act.
(2005, February 4). Emergency calls: System facing a tough text test. Tonight at the Wellington Park Hotel on Belfast's Malone Road, PSNI Chief Superintendent Eddie Graham and Sergeant Stephen Henry will be announcing new ways in which deaf people can summon help in emergencies by text messages on their mobiles to the police, ambulance and fire services.
(2005, February 4). Help at hand to face disability. Waltham Forest and Stratford businesses are risking court action under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), but advice is on hand from a national charity. Around 31,000 deaf and hard of hearing people live in the two areas and the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) wants to improve their access to businesses.
(2005, January 28). Deaf pupils celebrate anniversary. More than 100 deaf children from schools across Northern Ireland will perform dance and drama to celebrate their talents. The event on Friday marks the diamond anniversary of the National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS).
(2005, January 26). Steve Day - Deaf in the evening. "It's our differences that make us," said comedian Steve Day Ð probably the only deaf comedian in the UK, in his show at Norwich Arts Centre last night. And as he unfolded his life before us, you couldn't help feeling he was right.
(2005, January 23). How I learnt to love my silent world.Acclaimed author Bella Bathurst began to lose her hearing after a car crash. She ignored it at first but then started the long and emotional road towards an appreciation of life in the quiet lane.
(2005, January 14). Disability Rights Commission BSL accessibility. The Disability Rights Commission is developing its website to make its rights information accessible in British Sign Language (BSL)... Both the DRC and SignPost are committed to consultation to ensure that the access needs of the Deaf community are being met.
(2005, January 6). "ChatterText" news release. New solution for businesses & public service providers to meet their DDA responsibility to provide communication access to their services for people with hearing and speech difficulties .
(2005, January 6). Typetalk allows deaf to do business by phone. Businesses across Sutton are being encouraged to sign up to free training sessions which will help them meet their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Following the introduction of the third part of the new law late last year, companies are required to give disabled people equal access to goods, facilities and services.
(2004, December 31). Deaf talkabout: Lessons that Hong Kong can teach us. A friend called to see us the other day and regaled us with the story of his five-day holiday in Hong Kong... Paul is hard of hearing with knowledge of sign language and has the confidence to communicate confidently in most situations; but on sharing our experiences we had to acknowledge that there seems to be much better deaf awareness abroad than here, and that there are very few places in this country where deaf people feel at home and where the staff really try to cross the barrier.
(2004, December 22). School where deaf pupils not left out. Inspectors who visited a secondary school in Coventry were impressed that some of the pupils were learning sign language so they could make friends with children in the school's hearing impaired unit.
(2004, December 21). As a deaf person, I am the most qualified to know my own needs. British Sign Language users John and Carys Lennon are insisting Wrexham Local Health Board let them decide who should sign for them.
(2004, December 19). People registered as deaf or hard of hearing, England, March 2004. This Statistical Report provides information for England and individual Councils with Social Services Responsibilities (CSSRs) on the numbers of people registered with councils as deaf or hard of hearing at 31 March 2004. These statistics are collected and published every three years.
(2004, December 17). Video phone help for deaf people. Deaf people who prefer to communicate using British Sign Language (BSL) could soon be having their phone conversations relayed using webcams or videophones and an interpreter.
(2004, December 16). Monthly advice service for deaf. An advice service for the deaf and hard of hearing is to be held on the last Friday of every month in Stevenage... A fluent signer will be on hand to offer help filling in forms, benefits advice and understanding letters.
(2004, December 16). Conference focuses on life for deaf. All aspects of deaf life will be discussed at a major advocacy conference in Cardiff today. Speakers at the event in Cardiff County Hall, organised by the Deaf Association Wales, include Health Minister Jane Hutt and Doug Alker, chair of the British Deaf Association.
(2004, December 10). Connect at deaf group open event. A Glasgow charity for the deaf and hard of hearing will hold an open day next week. Deaf Connections is the largest employer of deaf people in the country and provides classes in IT, British Sign Language and lip reading, and numeracy and literacy. It also runs a youth service, social inclusion programmes and a number of key health initiatives including cancer awareness workshops.
(2004, December 10). Deaf Talkabout: When it comes to driving ... the eyes have it. Deaf drivers are proud of our driving skills and statistics prove we are at least as good as hearing folk in avoiding accidents and obeying traffic laws. Habit has perfected and sharpened our peripheral vision and it is undoubtedly true that we depend on our eyes more than ordinary drivers and our all-round awareness of traffic more than makes up for our loss of hearing.
(2004, December 3). Deaf Talkabout: Making people aware of the invisible. HRH Sophie, Countess of Wessex, was guest of honour at Wilton House on Tuesday, and with interpreter Janet Beck in attendance was introduced to all 44 staff celebrating the first anniversary of the RNID's Rehabilitation programme, which helps people who have suffered hearing loss as a direct result of the troubles in Northern Ireland.
(2004, December 3). Meeting aims to highlight the rights of deaf people. The Royal National Institute for the Deaf, a charity which represents 219,000 deaf and hard of hearing people in Northern Ireland, will hold a public meeting at the City Hotel to let deaf people know what their rights are under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
(2004, November 30). Show of hands. I always gravitated towards languages. I did A-levels in English, French, Latin and Greek... [I] had it in mind to do sign language, so I went to the Northern Counties School for the Deaf in Newcastle. It was a mind-blowing experience.
(2004, November 30). Deaf people 'overwhelmingly' failed by UK arts attractions. The survey was conducted by profoundly deaf mystery shoppers on behalf of the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID), and found that out of 75 venues, only seven were found to be deaf aware.
(2004, November 30). Deaf class assistant wins landmark case. A deaf classroom assistant has won a landmark legal ruling after accusing a Lothian council of discrimination.
Elizabeth Simpson, who worked at Longridge Prim- ary School near Whitburn, took West Lothian Council to an employment tribunal because she felt "isolated and excluded" at work. Ms Simpson, 56, said that other staff members did not alter the way they worked after she lost her hearing following a viral infection.
(2004, November 26). Why music is an important outlet in a silent world. Thousands of our deaf population retain enough hearing to appreciate the uplifting influence of good music, and many more, like myself, who have no hearing whatever, are still programmed by the songs and music we heard before the door closed on us.
(2004, November 12). Disablity laws could hit business. Three quarters of small to medium businesses in Cumbria, Durham, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear are at risk of court action under the Disability Discrimination Act. Research by the Royal National Institute for the Deaf shows that 75% of the businesses had not made changes so and hard of hearing people to access their products or services. This means thousands of businesses are at risk of court action under the new disability legislation.
(2004, November 12). Small firms 'risk court' over deaf. Nearly three quarters of small firms in Wales are at risk of court action under new disability discrimination laws, claims a deaf charity. The Royal National Institute for Deaf people (RNID) found 70% of firms had not made any changes to accommodate deaf and hard of hearing customers.
(2004, November 12). Survey pinpoints city's shortfalls for deaf. Few visitor attractions in Belfast are fully geared up for deaf and hard of hearing customers - but there are some 'beacons of excellence.' That is the finding of a new survey of arts attractions, the Royal National Institute for the Deaf said today.
(2004, November 12). Music and the Deaf awards Cobbetts' employment head. Music and the Deaf works to help deaf people understand and appreciate music, including training teachers in mainstream education to teach music to deaf children. The charity also provides signing services for musicals such as Cats - a service requiring highly skilled signers who must learn the entirety of a musical score by heart.
(2004, November 8). Arts venues 'failing deaf people.' Arts attractions in the UK are failing to cater for deaf people, according to a charity's survey. Of 75 attractions in nine cities, the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) found only seven to be what it called "deaf aware."
(2004, November 8). Arts attractions 'not accessible to deaf.' Few arts attractions around the UK are fully prepared for the country's nine million deaf and hard of hearing people, according to a Royal National Institute for the Deaf survey published today.
(2004, November 5). Deaf talkabout: Hear, hear... good news. As Bangor expands, the number of deaf people in the town and surrounding areas has continued to increase rapidly and now totals around 200 sign language users. A committee was formed to discuss the setting up of a deaf club for the whole North Down area and last Friday things kicked off with a halloween party in a social club just off the dual carriageway to Donaghadee.
(2004, November 5). Emin auction will help deaf children. An auction of David Beckham inspired artwork, including a handwritten letter by Tracey Emin, is going under the hammer tonight... Organisers hope the event will raise more than £150,000 for the National Deaf Children's Society.
(2004, October 29). Deaf talkabout: Bringing home a positive side to deafness. In the same week that former Miss Northern Ireland Zoe Salmon gained fame as the new presenter on Blue Peter, Belfast girl Diana Martin won attention of a different kind when she played the part of a deaf girl with an overbearing mother in Doctors, BBC1's popular afternoon programme about life in a medical centre.
(2004, October 26). Thousands face court action - Survey. A major new survey published today by a national charity for the deaf has revealed that thousands of businesses across the country are under threat of court action under the new Disability Discrimination Act.
(2004, October 20). Disabled cost of living shortfall. Disabled people on benefits are £800 a month short of an acceptable quality of life, says a study... For deaf people the equivalent figure was found to be £376, falling to £345 for people with "low to medium needs".
(2004, October 20). Inside Deaf culture. Kate Nelson, an actor, is deaf. She explains to Carina Dennis what becoming part of Deaf culture has meant to her. The Deaf (with a capital 'D') are a tight-knit community. They view deafness not as a medical condition to be cured, but as a cultural identity to be celebrated.
(2004, September 28). Educators increasing use of video streaming for the deaf. The spread of high-speed Internet is improving distance learning for the deaf through transmissions smooth enough to allow sign language instruction.
(2004, September 25). Now that's what you call cymbalism. An artist has become a big noise in the art world - by creating paintings as he plays the drums. Scott Field, who attaches paint-oozing pipes to his sticks, wants to enter what he calls his 'Drummatic Art' for the coveted Turner Prize. The 32-year-old says his work - improvised over four minutes - brings music alive for deaf people.
(2004, September 24). Deaf talkabout: Sign language - a question of choice. Writing to me about his book, 'I See A Voice', philosopher and freelance writer Jonathan Ree said that it does seem to him a terrible injustice that so few deaf people are able to feel at ease in the world of books, and it is something deaf education must address.
(2004, September 16). Award for arts in deaf school. Parents, staff and children at Elmfield School for Deaf Children in Bristol are celebrating after achieving national recognition for its arts work. The Artsmark award, which is presented by Arts Council England, is awarded to schools offering opportunities across the range of arts. It follows the school's success in achieving the Basic Skills Quality Mark last year, the first school for deaf children in the UK to do so.
(2004, September 8). BGS to help NHS Direct bridge language barriers. Bowne Global Solutions (BGS), has announced that it has signed a contract with NHS Direct to provide the nurse-led telephonic health advice and information service with interpreters 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
(2004, September 3). Deaf talkabout: Learning the language of the world. Jonathan Ree, a former academic at Middlesex University, and now a freelance writer, is regarded as a leading critic of the concept of a Deaf Nation. As a hearing man with a special interest in deaf people, and author of 'I see a Voice, a Philosophical History of Language, Deafness and the Senses', Professor Ree was invited to give one of the lectures at the BDA congress. He kindly sent me a copy of his speech and allowed me to interview him by e-mail.
(2004, September 3). RNID guidelines for DDA speak louder than words. The deadline for organisations to be compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) is upon us. Many organisations remain in the dark about their obligations under the Act and it is not until discrimination cases are brought to court, that the requirement for 'reasonable adjustment' will be tested.
David Bar-Tzur
), it is a video in that spoken language. A flag followed by 
means it is in the sign language of that country. 
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
Click on "Dictionary".
One in a series of short films created by young Muslims as a tool to promote understanding and tolerance.
