Barnsley information event to mark Deaf Awareness Week
In support of Deaf Awareness Week 2013 the Barnsley sensory impairment service in partnership with Barnsley Council and other specialist services are organising a hearing loss deaf awareness event in Barnsley town centre on Wednesday 8th May.
Deaf Awareness Week runs from 6th – 12th May and this year’s theme is Get involved, Get aware. The aim of the week is to promote the work of organisations that support people with hearing loss and deafness and to help people seek the support available to have a good quality of life and maintain independent living.
To help promote the services available to people in Barnsley the sensory impairment service, which is run by South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, will be holding a free information event and inviting other local organisations that help people.
The event is being held in Barnsley town centre (Cheapside area) between 10am and 2pm and anyone is welcome to come along and find out more about the help available and advice. The Mayor of Barnsley Cllr Dorothy Higginbottom will also be attending at 10.30am.
Organisations on hand to offer advice include Barnsley Audiology NHS, BSL Healthy Minds, Equipment companies – Sarabec, Clofield, Action on Hearing Loss and a mental health worker for deaf. Representatives will be talking to people about their hearing difficulties, deafness and equipment that could help.
Moira Alton, Senior Rehabilitation Officer with Barnsley Sensory Impairment Services, said, “It is estimated that 15% of the population are deaf to some extent and out of every 10,000 people, 10 will be extremely deaf and 100 will be partially deaf. It is important that people know what help is available to them both locally and nationally to support them in their every day lives and to try ensure they don’t become socially isolated.
There will be lots of stalls where you can get information and advice about your hearing and how you can look after it and also what to do if you are struggling with your hearing or are deaf. Everyone is invited to come along and find out more whether for themselves or for someone they know.”
