Deaf Awareness Week 2023 is here!
It's time to promote greater awareness and deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the Deaf community.
This year's theme is "Access to Communication" and focuses on the need for breaking down the communication barriers that prevent Deaf people from fully participating in society.
Lack of access to BSL interpreters
Incorrect captioning
Delayed live subtitling
No in-vision interpreting
A lack of awareness of communication needs
What do all of these things cause? Barriers that can lead to social isolation, limited employment opportunities, and reduced access to essential public services.
To combat and address these issues, this year's ‘Deaf Awareness Week’ aims to do two things:
Raise awareness of the communication needs of the Deaf community
Advocate for greater access to communication tools and services
Here at Remark! we want to encourage individuals, organisations, and our government to work together to create a more inclusive society where Deaf individuals have the same level of access as everyone else.
Raising Awareness
One of the main ways to promote greater access is through education. This can take various forms such as workshops, classes or courses. These events can help people learn about the communication needs of Deaf individuals, including the importance of BSL. Remark! are one of the UK’s top providers of Deaf Awareness Training. Check out what we do here and make your workplace Deaf Aware: https://www.remark.uk.com/deaf-awareness
Advocacy
The other focus of this year’s ‘Deaf Awareness Week’ is advocacy. It's vital to speak up and advocate for the rights of the Deaf community to have equal access. By doing so, we can create a more inclusive society that values the needs and contributions of everyone.
Our Remark! Living department have skilled and professional advocates who support and assist our clients. We all know how frustrating it can be when it feels like you’re not being heard. There may be barriers in place which can be successfully removed with access to the right support.
Remark! Advocacy simply means getting support from another person who can help you express yourself, your wishes and your views. Advocates help you stand up for your rights, and ensure your voice is heard. To find out more follow this link: https://www.remark.uk.com/adult-services
So! It’s plain to see that it’s only by working together that we can break down the communication barriers that prevent Deaf people from participating fully in society.
Let's celebrate and promote Deaf Awareness Week 2023 and get the message out!