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Spring Newsletter 2011 now out

Welcome to our Deaf Parenting UK Newsletter (Spring 2011). In this issue you will find:

• Plans to celebrate 10 wonderful years of Deaf Parenting UK with an Awards Ceremony in October
• News of some very exciting family trips to Legoland and Thorpe Park
• Information on the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
• Guidance for schools, teachers and support staff on developing strong, successful relationships with Deaf parents
• News of how baby monitors can be a real help to Deaf Parents
• Information on Family Week, CODA International Conference and some BSL Interpreted and Lipspeaking guided tours at Windsor Castle

All links are accessible from our newsletter, but our glossary of websites and email addresses referred to in the newsletter provides quick access to important resources:

• Deaf Parenting Awards site: www.deafparent.org.uk/awards2011
• TFPL: www.tfpl.com
• London 2012 Ticket Information: www.tickets.london2012.com
• Ticket information for the guided tours of St George’s chapel, Windsor castle: adultlearning@royalcollection.org.uk
• Exhibitions at Royal Collection properties: www.royalcollection.org.uk/exhibitions
• Heriot-Watt University Conference on bilingual and bicultural working: www.sml.hw.ac.uk/business/cpd/deaf-managers-facing-the-challenge.htm
• Codadiva one woman show: www.codadiva.com
• National Family Week: www.nationalfamilyweek.co.uk
• Deaf Parenting UK’s Twitter page: www.twitter.com/deafparent
• Deaf Parenting UK’s web site: www.deafparent.org.uk
• Deaf Parenting UK’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=15694229889
• Asif:  media@deafparent.org.uk
• Nicole: info@deafparent.org.uk
• Ceri: cerihughes@whellock.freeserve.co.uk

DPUK’s new SMS number

Deaf Parenting UK have upgraded their mobile phone and have new SMS number. Please ensure you have the correct number or visit our Contact Us page.

Thanks

DPUK Team

Why not nominate yourself or someone worthy of the award?

(more…)

DPUK to give out awards to celebrate 10th anniversary (SignPost)

DPUK to give out awards to celebrate 10th anniversary

Deaf Parenting UK is celebrating its tenth anniversary with an awards ceremony to recognise people who work to improve the quality of life for deaf people and their families

There will be seven awards for parents, professionals and service providers in the deaf community.

And the event in being supported by the Prime Minister’s wife Samantha Cameron who said: “Many congratulations to Deaf Parenting UK’s 10 Year Anniversary. It is fantastic that these awards give recognition to those people who have made such a valuable contribution and positive difference to the lives of Deaf parents, their children and their communities.”

You can nominate yourself or someone else via the DPUK website, before Friday July 15.

Tickets are also on sale for the awards presentation event on Friday October 7 in London. You can get a cheaper ticket (£10 per person) until Friday July 15 then after that they cost £15 per person.

BSL clip on Signpost website: http://www.signpostbsl.com/news/signpost/archiveArticle.aspx?ArticleID=10746

FREE Deaf Parenting Skills workshops – Bristol & Surrounding Areas.

Are you Deaf parents or know of Deaf Parents living in Bristol area or surrounding areas?

Want to meet other Deaf parents?

Want to boost your confidence on parenting?

Need support/ information/ advice on where to go?

Workshops are for you!

Where: St Paul’s Children Centre

Little Bishop Street

St Paul’s

Bristol BS2 9JF

When: Saturday 12^th March 2011

Saturday 26^th March 2011

Saturday  9^th April 2011

Saturday 16^th April 2011

Time: 10.00am to 3.00pm

Do come along and get to meet other parents as well as sharing your experiences and to learn from others too.

The workshops and crèche are free, please book places for yourselves and your children, if they wish to come along – booking form attached or contact Hilary for a booking form.

The suggested topics are as follows:

• Healthy eating with the family
• Communication with the family
• Keeping fit with the family
• Behaviour management
• Budgeting with the family
• Positive parenting tips
• Understanding child development
• Knowing your benefits

Do let us know if there is anything in particular that you would like to see happen during the workshop sessions.

Want to know more and to book your places, please contact Hilary Sutherland by email on Hilary@hilarysutherland.co.uk or by fax 01454 324408

Deaf Parenting UK Support Video Relay Services (VRS)

Following the recent campaign on VRS across the country and the most recent in London at Friend House, Asif Iqbal, Media/ Project Manager of Deaf Parenting UK went to find out more and with over 150 people turned up to learn more about VRS.

Asif commented: “Video Relay Services is a fantastic way to enable Deaf people especially Deaf parents/ families to communicate with hearing people in daily lives via video phone and interpreters. Imagine the day where Deaf parents, using VRS would be able to liaise with the school, GP, children activities centres etc,  easily using the webcam on TV or via computer (and hopefully via 3G mobile phones too), be able to order pizza or takeaway from local restaurant, have a chat with families and friends via VRS and many more.

Many Deaf parents/ families faces barriers in telecommunication as currently, there is only three options – textphone which are very much outdated and too much reliant on English especially with typetalk/ text relay, not accessible for many Deaf BSL users. Other option including mobile SMS which is fine for a very short message but not for a long conversation and again reliant on English for hearing people to understand what we mean. Some providers take our mobile numbers eg insurance companies, councils, banking and mobile companies etc, but there is no way we could add a note that we are Deaf and to text us on the mobile numbers. Instead they ring and ring on our mobile so impossible for us to answer the call!! 3^rd option is fax which is also outdated as technology moves forward very fast.

VRS is the best way forward, putting Deaf person in the control in telecommunication, giving us the freedom of who to call in BSL without having to rely on English or asking someone to make the call or making an effort to visit the place to explain what you want when it can be easily resolved via VRS!”

Deaf Parenting UK is a small national organisation, run by Deaf parents for Deaf parents and our motto is enabling, empowering and supporting Deaf Parents to access to services equally as any other parents on day to day lives across health, social services and their children’s education. From our recent conference on ‘Are we Equal: in accessing to health, social services and children’s education’, feedback from Deaf parents found communication even at the first point of contact was the biggest barriers and hopefully the VRS would the best way forward if available for all. For those reasons, Deaf Parenting UK wish to give their full supports, saying that VRS offer tremendous benefits to many Deaf parents/ families.

To learn more about VRS and to give your support, please check out their website: http://www.vrstoday.com/ or contact your local MP (letter template available to download from VRS website or useful tips to make your video too onto VRS website!)

FREE Education session about diabetes for Deaf diabetes.

NHS Diabetes offering FREE Education session about diabetes for Deaf diabetes. Could you please put this information on your website for Deaf parents to access information + to encourage Deaf parents who may have diabetes or their child / children may have diabetes to attend. I am assisting the NHS. This is an opportunity for Deaf diabetes to attend. Priority is given to Deaf diabetes – pending on spaces available Deaf people who do not have diabetes may attend but need to let me know to put their names down quickly.

NHS Diabetes

Diabetes Education Session for the Deaf and hard of hearing London

11^th March 2011

9am – 4.30pm

Full programme available here.

This education session is organised following the first ever successful Deaf Diabetes UK conference organised by Catherine Forry from Deaf Advocacy + Justice 4 Deaf People last year. This session is organised at the suggestions made by participants at this conference in July 2010.

NHS Diabetes is delighted to be supporting this education session on diabetes self-care and treatment for Deaf people and those hard of hearing who have, either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, on 11^th March 2011 at the following address:

The Resource Centre

356 Holloway Road

London N7 6PA

This session is supported by Dr Rowan Hillson, National Clinical Director for Diabetes at the Department of Health and the Specialist Diabetes Team, Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.

What will be provided?

An all day session on diabetes treatment and management provided by specialist clinicians covering diet, foot care, self-management and complications of diabetes.

There will be BSL interpreters as well as Speech to Text facility available throughout the day.

Who should attend?

Anyone who is Deaf or hard of hearing and has diabetes is welcome as well as their carers.

Next steps

To book a place at this session please e-mail the details of people attending to Suzanne.devlin@diabetes.nhs.uk or leena.sevak@diabetes.nhs.uk (Or Call on Mobile 07787520351)

(Lunch and refreshments will be provided and if you have any special dietary requirements please let us know.)

Training Opportunity for Deaf Managers

Managers in bilingual and bicultural working environment – Facing the Challenge

A Training Course at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh

16-17 May 2011

How to get the best out of Deaf staff and managers ?

How can Deaf People succeed in management?

A new course aimed at breaking down the barriers faced by Deaf people in management.

Essential lessons in management for:

•   Deaf Managers and Executives

•   Managers responsible for Deaf Staff, including Deaf Managers

•   Aspiring Deaf Managers

Run by top management experts and top BSL experts from Heriot-Watt University’s School of Management and Languages. Guest lecturers with experience in Deaf management from the UK and other countries, including Finland.

More details – webpage:

http://www.sml.hw.ac.uk/business/cpd/deaf-managers-facing-the-challenge.htm

BSL video:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nBYrsoh6kM

International Sign video:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9prTI5NKraY

To enrol:

http://www.eventelephant.com/thedeafmanagerfacingthechallenges

DPUK Awards 2011 – Nomination open now

DEAF PARENTING UK’S AWARDS EVENT 2011 – NOMINATION OPEN NOW

Deaf Parenting UK is celebrating their 10 years Anniversary and to make it more special, we are organising a first-ever Deaf Parenting UK Awards Event to celebrate our 10 years anniversary, recognising people for their contribution to improve the quality of life for Deaf parents ranging from front-line service, community based and strategy levels.

There are 7 awards aimed for either individual Deaf parents or professionals working with Deaf parents and service providers (including health, social services, education, community/ charitable organisations/ groups).

Sabina Iqbal, Chair/Founder of Deaf Parenting UK: I’m delighted to tell you that Deaf Parenting UK will be celebrating their 10years anniversary and what is a better way to celebrate is by hosting a fantastic Award event. Deaf Parenting UK have been set up as a small project in 2001 and now grown to an pioneering organisation and well-known across UK and worldwide, providing support to Deaf parents, parents to be and professionals working with Deaf parents.

With the award event, we are honouring the positive contributions of Deaf parents, parents to be and professionals who work with Deaf parents to our community and I sincerely encourage you to share with us the stories of those people making an amazing, positive difference to all our lives.

Making a successful nomination can change the life of a candidate, giving them the confidence to pursue their chosen career and life path with renewed energy and passion. This is a great gift to offer a friend, colleague or even yourself, so please do let us know your stories of courage, achievement and tenacity. We find them inspiring and it is important to recognise them for their valuable contribution to improving the quality of life for Deaf parents and community.

Samantha Cameron, wife of Prime Minister: “Many congratulations to Deaf Parenting UK’s 10 Year Anniversary. It is fantastic that these awards give recognition to those people who have made such a valuable contribution and positive difference to the lives of Deaf parents, their children and their communities. I hope you all have an enjoyable day”.

Jo Frost, Supernanny Star: ”My heartfelt congratulations to Deaf Parenting UK on their achievements over the past 10 years in effecting change and opening the doors of communication and equality for all.”

Trevor Phillips, Chair of Equality and Human Rights Commission: “I would like to extend my congratulations to Deaf Parenting UK on their 10th Anniversary, and take the opportunity to pay tribute to their achievements in providing support and empowerment to Deaf Parents. Through its rights based approach, and the provision of practical services and support, Deaf Parenting UK has made a significant contribution to the realisation of the rights afforded to disabled people and children through domestic human rights legislation. I am delighted that Deaf Parenting UK has chosen to celebrate their Anniversary by recognising the achievements of deaf parents, service providers and campaigners.  By effectively harnessing the energy and commitment of individuals, communities and organisations, we can achieve effective and sustainable change. I look forward to hearing about this exciting event, and reading about the inspiring achievements of the nominees and winners.”

Nominate yourself or someone worthy of the award: Nominations are now open to individuals (including Deaf Parents, families, friends, neighbours, Samaritan) and Organisations (including Health, Social Services, Education, voluntary organisations & community groups).

To submit your nomination now, please log onto our website: http://www.deafparent.org.uk/awards2011/index.html, read DPUK Awards page first before making your nomination from the Nomination Page.

Deadline for nomination: 15^th July 2011.

Ticket also now for Sale to our Awards event which will be on Friday 7th Oct in Central London. An event – not to be missed!

Early Bird Discount (until 15th July 2011) £10 per person
Full price (1st August – 16th September 2011) £15 per person

Deadline for buying ticket is 16th September 2011. Limited space availability so first come first served.

Please spread the word or distribute the flyer (downloadable from our website) to as many as possible to Deaf Parents, their families, friends, Samaritans, Neighbours, or to your local Deaf clubs, Deaf Associations/ Centre, workplace, heath services, social services and education eg your child’s school/ college etc and encourage them to make their nomination. Flyer available from: http://www.deafparent.org.uk/awards2011/DPUKflyer.pdf

To learn more about DPUK Awards 2011, please go to our website: http://www.deafparent.org.uk/awards2011/index.html

-Ends-

For all media enquiries/ contact please contact Asif Iqbal via email media@deafparent.org.uk

If you want to know more about Deaf Parenting UK, please visit http://www.deafparent.org.uk/ or email us on info@deafparent.org.uk

Sign Circle Deaf BSL Camping Festival 22-25 July 2011

Sign Circle Deaf BSL Camping Festival 22-25 July 2011, Longridge Showground, Preston, Lancashire, www.signcircle.org.uk

Sign Circle is a camping festival with many different activities, workshops, entertainment and performances for all ages to enjoy. During this weekend you and your family can take part in the programme or simply sit back, relax and switch off. The festival welcomes the whole signing community; Deaf people, families, friends and groups.

The reason why Sign Circle was set up is because mainstream festivals are often not accessible for Deaf people, and they do not have the unique elements of Deaf community and culture. At Sign Circle you and your family will have unlimited access in BSL to anything that is going on at the campsite.

The festival has been successfully running for the past four years and now celebrates its 5th anniversary. In total Sign Circle has provided entertainment for 1,200 campers and volunteers, and continues to grow. The festival is organised and run by a team of volunteers.

May 2007, 142 people at Fanwood Campsite in Yorkshire
May 2008, 250 people at Fanwood Campsite in Yorkshire
May 2009, 386 people at Longridge Campsite in Lancashire
May 2010, 417 people at Longridge Campsite in Lancashire

For more information about the festival:
- Visit www.signcircle.org.uk
- Email enquiries@signcircle.org.uk
- Text 07762 142 131
- Join the Facebook event ‘Sign Circle – 5th Deaf BSL Camping Festival’