Making Activities Deaf Friendly Hampshire Inspiring Inclusion Conference 2013

Introductions Name Organisation I am from My experience of deafness What I would like to get out of the training? Sign name

Aims Understanding of NDCS Understanding of deafness Awareness of communication Confidence to fully include deaf children and young Future support, advice and information and the knowledge to develop an action plan

Group to line up in order of birth date (day and month only) – without using any verbal communication Activity

Introduction to NDCS and Me2

About NDCS The National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) is the national charity dedicated to creating a world without barriers for deaf children and young people. We believe that: Every deaf child has the right to the same opportunities as a hearing child Every deaf child has the right to be included and valued by society Families have the right to make informed choices on behalf of their deaf child and for those choices to be implemented Families have the right to clear and balanced information and support, delivered in a way that is accessible to them

What do we do? NDCS offers a range of services to deaf children and their families which include: Information and resources Children’s Events Me2 project Network of Local Deaf Children’s Societies (LDCS’s) Free phone Helpline Listening Bus Family Officers & Casework Team Campaigns Family Events & much more!

Is about getting deaf children & young deaf people to stand up and say Me2! Providing opportunities for deaf children to take part in a range of mainstream leisure activities with hearing children through making sure they are deaf friendly

Me2 pledge Being deaf friendly Promoting effective communication Recognising the abilities of all deaf children and young people and helping them reach their full potential Provide equal playing and social opportunities for deaf children and young people

Deafness what is it?

Activity Fact or fiction! Statements about deafness Move to the side of the room to indicate whether you think the statement is FACT or FICTION

Statistics around deafness Estimated 10 million deaf or hard of hearing people in the UK (source Action On Hearing Loss formally known as RNID) There are 45,000 deaf children in the UK 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents 40% of deaf children have additional needs. Four babies are born deaf every day.

Activity Describing deafness In groups put the terms into two separate categories “Acceptable” terms “Unacceptable” terms

Activity Terms that some people find offensive Hearing loss Hearing impaired Disabled Acceptable Profoundly deaf Deafened Deaf people Totally deaf Partially deaf Hard of hearing Unacceptable The deaf Deaf and dumb Deaf and mute Deafie Deafo

NDCS’ description of deafness “NDCS uses the term ‘deaf’ to mean all types of deafness, including temporary deafness such as glue ear.”

Level of deafness dBWith hearing aidsWithout hearing aids Mild20 – 40 Some children have hearing aids -May hear in a quiet room -May not hear a whispered conversation Moderate41 – 70 Most children wear hearing aids -May hear most of what someone says to them in a quiet room as long as that person speaks clearly Severe71 – 95 Most children wear hearing aids. May need additional support in groups or noisy rooms -May hear loud sounds -May not hear people talking to them Profoundmore than 95 Most children use hearing aids or cochlear implants. Some use signing as their main method of communication or to support their understanding -Cannot hear someone talking to them, but may hear or feel very loud sounds

Remember.. Every person’s ability to hear is different The degree of deafness in either ear can vary Spend time beforehand getting to know your participants and understand precisely how much they can hear and their communication support needs

Barriers Physical Social Technical Psychological

Communication, communication, communication

Activity Communication Activities to realise and understand your communication skills

Communication methods Auditory – oral / oral approach Lipreading – ability to read lip patterns British Sign Language Signed Supported English (SSE) Signed English (SE) Makaton Fingerspelling

Fingerspelling alphabet

BSL Hello / goodbye Yes / no Please / thank you Welcome / how are you? What is your name / my name is.... Activities / sport

Communication methods It is essential to ask the deaf child or young person what their preferred communication method is !

Technology and deafness

Technology Sport can be played with or without hearing aids Hearing aids Cochlear implants Lights system (eg starting a race)

Technology available

Practical adaptations

Adapting Activities What activities do you do at your club / group / organisation? How can you support deaf children and young people more effectively?

Tips for welcoming a deaf child to your group Have a named deaf friendly contact to welcome the child to the group Invite them to observe a session before joining Provide a short awareness session for hearing group members Clearly ask the child about their preferred communication method! Encourage them to bring a friend or sibling with them Allow parents to stay for the first few sessions (if they want to) to help them settle in Create a who’s who board with pictures and a visual timetable – this will be useful for everyone who joins If the child requires signing support ask the parents if they can help or recommend anyone that can (if not contact NDCS to see if we can match up one of our volunteers) When arranging trips, days out or special sessions, hand out the information on slips of paper.. Why not learn to fingerspell or to sign

National & Local Opportunities UK Deaf Sport – NDCS Me2 deaf-friendly project – Find your local club deaf-friendly club – (why not sign up yourself?) Find your local deaf children’s society – Inspire your deaf participants –

Action Plan Do you already have deaf participants attending your club? Could you support them more effectively? Can you actively promote your club to the deaf community as being deaf friendly? How will you support deaf people into your club? Will your communication within your coaching change? Can you disseminate the key points so your whole club is deaf friendly? Are there national or local organisations you can contact for further information?