My name is Fanie du Toit It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you a wonderful project called: “Hearing Loss in Perspective ”

The challenge persons with hearing loss face globally is that not all impairments look like this……..

Yes, some impairments look like this……..

If this is true………

Why is the International Symbol for hearing impairment and deafness not a household name in SA?

The harsh reality is that 15% of the world’s adult population has some degree of hearing loss

About one third of those who are affected, have disabling hearing loss

The United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities refers to: Sensory Impairments

HERE IS A SUMMARY OF THE UN CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES SIGNED & RATIFIED BY SOUTH AFRICA p=desktop

What is the PROFILE of persons with sensory impairments, being deaf or hearing impaired, really?

LETS HAVE A LOOK AT WHY HEARING LOSS IS CONSIDERED A DISABILITY VIDEO

Do you know the difference between visual and hearing impairment? Both are sensory impairments

This is an example of visual impairment

If you show hearing loss in a visual way

Can you see the difference?

The harsh reality is that persons with hearing loss wait an average of 7 years before seeking help Hopefully this programme will give some answers to this challenge

Firstly, I want to share with you a few examples of how hearing loss can impact on a human being

I can’t hear you if you mumble!

I can’t hear you if you don’t face me!

I can’t hear you if you cover your mouth!

This is one of the reasons why we have developed a project called: Road to Independence

Road to Independence

THE BENEFICIARIES OF THIS PROJECT Persons with the sensory impairments being deaf or hearing impaired using a spoken language to communicate, their families, friends, professionals, employers, staff and the general society working in the field of hearing loss Reference: EE Act, Code of Good Practise, Technical Assistance Guidelines Chapters 5 & 6

Road to Independence and associates offer the following training and developmental programmes

BACKGROUND ON DISABILITY

HEARING LOSS IN PERSPECTIVE

COMMUNICATION & ETIQUETTE

A PROTOCOL FOR Identification and management of the functional needs of the deaf or hearing impaired adult

THE IMPACT OF HEARING LOSS “a holistic approach”

MUSIC APPRECIATION PEER SUPPORT AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF AURAL REHABILITATION FOR ADULTS WITH HEARING LOSS

Recent research is showing that music practice and enjoyment also enhances speech understanding with a cochlear implant or hearing aid

This is our studio for music appreciation

“ Thank you for the Music shows ” With the following core focus areas Children Youth Adults Special Events programmes

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR LIFE AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF REHABILITATION FOR ADULTS WITH HEARING LOSS

FATIQUE MANAGEMENT as an integral part of rehabilitation

EMOTIONAL IMPACT OF HEARING LOSS as an integral part of rehabilitation

DISCLOSURE How to “speak out” on impairment and disability? To “sensitise” the community on the impact of hearing loss in a structured way

WE INTRODUCE BENEFICIARIES TO VARIOUS TYPES OF DEVICES & TECHNOLOGY Listening Assistive listening Living devices

LISTENING DEVICES Standard Hearing Aid Systems BAHA Cochlear Implants

ASSISTIVE LISTENING Loop systems FM-systems Etc

Loop system & symbol

ASSISTIVE LIVING DEVICES Clock & bed shaker

For more information visit

WE INFORM BENEFICIARIES ABOUT THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMMUNICATION FACILITATORS whisper interpreters lip speakers note takers

Technology in the field of Word-to-text-transcription & open and close captioning & sub-titles

WE INTRODUCE BENEFICIARIES TO UNIVERSAL ACCESS FROM A HEARING LOSS PERSPECTIVE scans assessments audits

WE FOCUS ON AWARENESS TRAINING REGARDING SAFETY & EVACUATION NOISE INDUSED HEARING LOSS, ETC

Hearing protection

WE REFER BENEFICIARIES TO LIFE COACHING, IF NEEDED

NETWORKING & ADVOCACY Are of the utmost importance

FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THE ROLE OF SOUTH AFRICAN HEARING INSTITUTE (SAHI) “as co-ordinating body” Please visit:

THE CORE FOCUS AREA OF SAHI PERSONS WITH HEARING LOSS USING A SPOKEN LANGUAGE TO COMMUNICATE

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ASSOCIATES OF SAHI Send an to:

A SUMMARY OF 18 INITIATIVES OF OUR PROJECT IS AS FOLLOWS……

1.Background on disability 2.Hearing Loss in perspective 3.Communication & etiquette 4.Protocol: Identifying the functional needs of the deaf or hearing impaired adult – accredited 5.Impact of hearing loss – accredited 6.Music appreciation – peer support in studio 7.Thank you for the Music presentations 8.Fatigue management 9.Taking responsibility for your life 10.Emotional impact of hearing loss 11.Devices & technology 12.Reasonable accommodation: various case studies 13.Universal Access – the needs of deaf or hearing impaired persons 14.Safety and hearing protection 15.Life coaching 16.To “sensitise” the community on the impact of hearing loss in a structured way 17.Networking & referrals 18.Advocacy

HERE IS A BROCHURE REGARDING THE TRAINING PROGRAMMES THAT ARE AVAILABLE

For more information Send an to:

Visit our website at

…and complete the following questionnaire online

Link to questionnaire

My contact particulars are as follows Facebook: facebook.com/yourroadtoindependence Skype: fanie.du.toit3 Websites:

Our references The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities The South African Constitution The SA Bill of Rights The Integrated National Disability Strategy (INDS) National Disability Rights Policy (NDRP) The Employment Equity Act The Code of Good Practice on the Employment of Persons with Disabilities The Technical Assistance Guidelines on the Employment of Persons with Disabilities (TAG) The Promotion of Equality and the Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 2000 World Health Organisation (WHO) Etc.

Thank you The End

FANIE DU TOIT Manager : Public Education & Awareness National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa

When people have a hearing loss, their ears lose the ability to pick up certain sound. As a result, their brain has to work hard trying to “fill in the gaps” and guess what is being said. This is both frustrating and tiring