It’s round the corner and you want to stay in the loop! Deaf Awareness Week 2024
Next week is Deaf Awareness Week 2024 (DAW2024)!
The aim during this week (May6th to May 12th) is to promote greater awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by the Deaf community, and to encourage breaking down communication barriers that prevent deaf people from fully participating in society.
Did you know that there are over 12 million people in the UK who are deaf or have hearing loss? The main goal of this week is to promote inclusion, educate others, improve accessibility, and celebrate deaf culture and the deaf community.
This year, just like every year, we’ll be participating in this celebration across our official social media channels.
Additionally, for our highly valued subscribers, we’ve curated five amazing newsletters to be shared over the next week.
Trust us, they’re comprehensive and remarkable guides you won’t want to miss! Packed with valuable information to enhance your awareness of Deaf culture, develop an undertanding of deafness, and improve your communication skills. these resources are not only educational and empowering but also thoroughly enjoyable!
Here’s a sneak peek into what you’ll receive:
Newsletter 1: Essential British Sign Language vocabulary. Videos and useful resources.
Newsletter 2: Deaf Awareness insights and tips. Enhance your understanding.
Newsletter 3: Creating accessible work and educational environments.
Newsletter 4: Socially acceptable behaviours within the Deaf community.
Newsletter 5: Deaf Awareness Express!
So, for those who are already subscribers, keep an eye out, because we’re confident you’ll love and enjoy them! And for those who have not yet subscribed to our mailing list, we encourage you to do so now and stay updated with the latest deaf-related information! Don’t worry, we won’t inundate your inbox with daily emails!
Additionally, here are some ways to celebrate and support DAW2024:
- Learn basic British Sign Language (BSL) phrases or attend a BSL class.
- Share information about Deaf Awareness Week on social media using the hashtag #WeSupportDeafAwarenessWeek to raise awareness.
- Offer sign language classes or Deaf Awareness Training sessions for employees to improve communication and understanding.
- Celebrate Deaf role models, artists, and achievements within the deaf community to promote positivity around deafness. Click the image below to see the Deaf representation in the media in the last few years;
- Make your workplace more accessible by offering assistive listening devices, hearing loop systems, visual alarms, sign language interpreters, messaging apps, and video conferencing with captioning. Have you heard about Access to Work (AtW)? This grant provides practical and financial support to individuals with disabilities or health conditions, ensuring they thrive in their workplace. Know more by downloading our guide of frequently asked questions about workplace accessibility, along with clear and concise answers.
AtW FAQ.pdf Download PDF • 1.50MB
Dive deeper, and consider some deaf-friendly activities:
- Attend a British Sign Language (BSL) class or workshop to learn basic signs and fingerspelling.
- Organise a deaf sports event or activity session that is visually-oriented, such as bowling, tennis, or dance classes, making sure to provide visual aids and demonstrations.
- Host a movie screening with open captions or subtitles.
- Invite a Deaf speaker or performer to share their experiences and celebrate deaf culture through storytelling, poetry, or music performances.
- Set up an information booth or display at a local community center or library to distribute deaf awareness materials, resources, and communication tips. Please head below to our Free Deaf Awareness resources page with lots of material for you to download.
- Organise a fundraising event like a bake sale or coffee morning to support local deaf charities and organisations.
- Encourage local businesses, schools, and public spaces to offer assistive listening devices, visual alarms, or sign language interpreters during the week to promote accessibility.
- Organise a deaf-friendly social gathering or game night where participants can practice sign language and experience deaf culture through interactive activities.
We are delighted to announce that we have a great space for you to access and find high level Deaf Awareness information and FREE resources to learn from, such as educational posters, basic British Sign Language (BSL) vocabulary videos, and loads of very interesting facts about the Deaf community. All in just one place!
So, if you have a deaf colleague, student, family member, or friend, and you want to improve your Deaf awareness and communication skills, just click the link below and access to all the content to learn about Deaf culture and be inspired during Deaf Awareness Week.
Visit our FREE resources Page >>
We very much appreciate your interest in creating a deaf-friendly society and for ensuring the Deaf/Hard of Hearing community feels included, valued, and appreciated.
Remember to subscribe to our mailing list and join us in celebrating Deaf Awareness Week 2024!
