1. A presentation by DeafHear.ie

2.  Maria Taylor  Family Support Worker  DeafHear.ie (Formally NAD)  12 Resource Centres Nationwide  Mission Statement: Promote the right of every deaf and hard of hearing person to enjoy an equality of opportunity in all aspects of life, & to develop full independence and citizenship.  Philosophy: To envisage a world where deafness & hearing loss is not a barrier to opportunity, participation or independence.

3.  Typical clients: Profoundly Deaf & Hard of Hearing  Unique service where we can communicate with clients using their preferred language – Sign Language  We work & advocate on behalf of our members using their language  Area of expertise: Deafness and hearing loss.

4.  My experience to date…  DeafHear established in 1963  We would like to maintain and strengthen our existing interaction with other service providers in the future.  It is imperative to be Deaf Aware & to enable Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons the opportunity to be fully included in society.

5.  DeafHear.ie, Abbeyville Centre, Abbeyville, Sligo  Ph: 071-9194975 / Fax: 071-9148868  E-Mail: orla.moore@deafhear.ieorla.moore@deafhear.ie  DeafHear.ie, Sensory Resource Centre, Justice Walsh Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal  Ph: 074-9188252 / Fax: 074-9188240  E-Mail: maria.taylor@deafhear.iemaria.taylor@deafhear.ie