What is Deaf Awareness?
Deaf awareness is what it says on the tin! There are millions of deaf people in the world, yet deaf individuals often face challenges linked to communication barriers and stigmatisation. Deaf awareness is knowing and understanding these challenges and working towards a more inclusive society where the deaf community can thrive and contribute fully.
By becoming deaf aware, we promote equality, as we acknowledge the rights of deaf people to access information, education, and services without discrimination.
Who benefits from Deaf Awareness?
Literally everyone!
Everyone will benefit as the barriers and challenges are removed – deaf colleagues, family and friends of deaf people, education providers, colleagues, and service providers. We can all work together to promote equality and make everyone feel more comfortable and confident with communication, regardless of their level of hearing.
How does Deaf Awareness benefit clients?
Deaf awareness enhances the client’s overall experience because it helps to ensure they receive equitable and accessible services. Deaf awareness means you are more likely to be sensitive to the needs and preferences of the client and colleagues, which in turn, will lead to a more positive experience for everyone and build a sense of trust and loyalty between colleagues, service providers and clients.
In educational settings, when staff and other students are deaf aware, it can have a significantly positive impact on deaf students, allowing them to feel empowered to become more independent, an absolute confidence boost in what can be a particularly challenging and lonely environment if there is a lack of deaf awareness.
Imagine sitting in a noisy classroom, trying to focus on a particular person talking (ideally the teacher!) and not being able to follow what is being said or trying to pick up on visual cues or lipread, but the teacher is in shadow. A few simple steps can make a huge difference!
Where can deaf awareness development take place?
Deaf awareness can develop virtually anywhere people come together to learn, communicate, and share experiences. The goal is to promote understanding, empathy, and inclusion for the deaf community in all aspects of life. Of course, more formal courses are available, such as those we provide. But it could simply be a deaf person working with hearing colleagues providing some basic tips, a deaf student presenting on deaf awareness for their group, or just an informal conversation in the pub!
The journey to becoming deaf Aware.
Becoming deaf aware is a journey of learning, empathy, and self-awareness. It involves gaining knowledge about deafness, understanding the challenges faced by the deaf community, and actively seeking ways to create a more inclusive and accessible environment.
Start by educating yourself and challenging some of your misconceptions and stereotypes. Be open to replacing these with accurate information and understanding.
Learn about different degrees of hearing loss and communication methods used by deaf people and consider learning some basic British Sign Language (BSL), as this can greatly enhance communication with deaf people who use it. Remember though, that not ALL deaf people are sign language users.
Do not be afraid to interact with the deaf community and listen to their experiences and perspectives. Attend deaf community events, workshops, or gatherings to gain insights into the culture, challenges, and achievements of deaf people.
Above all, recognise that effective communication is a two-way process. Be mindful of the communication preferences and needs of deaf individuals and be willing to adapt your communication style to ensure effective interaction.
Complete Communication’s favourite moment from promoting deaf Awareness.
At the end of one of our workshops, a participant, visibly moved, described his experiences during the workshop and that he had taken for granted the challenges faced by deaf individuals; he said he was genuinely inspired to make a difference in his interactions with colleagues and students who are deaf.
Afterwards, we received heartfelt feedback from attendees, expressing their gratitude for the eye-opening experience and the practical knowledge they had gained. Many expressed their desire to continue learning BSL and integrating deaf awareness practices into their daily lives, both professionally and personally. Receiving feedback like this makes us all smile and know that we are making a positive difference to deaf people and their friends, family and colleagues.
If you are interested in continuing your learning, check out our Face to Face and online training courses in deaf awareness and British Sign Language: https://www.completetrainingltd.co.uk/
Client Testimonial:
‘I learnt so much truly valuable information that I will use in my day-to-day life. Everyone should attend this training.’ – attendee of one of our deaf and disability awareness courses.