Category: News & Events

A film starring a six-year-old deaf British girl and made by two former Hollyoaks stars has won an Oscar.

The Silent Child, which tells the story of a girl who struggles to communicate, was named best live action short film.

It stars Maisie Sly, aged six, from Swindon, and Rachel Shenton, who played Mitzeee Minniver in the Channel 4 soap.

Shenton also wrote it and used sign language in her acceptance speech. It was directed by Chris Overton – AKA Hollyoaks cage fighter Liam McAllister.

Further read at: www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-43282172

Hearing loss group in Newtownabbey starting up for people who are hard of hearing, deafened wanting to meet other people for support, share ideas. Please pass this onto people who may be interested.

She has been a familiar face on BBC Northern Ireland News screens for 21 years, but Mary Kyle has managed to keep under the publicity radar throughout her career.

Indeed, the majority of viewers would be hard-pressed to name her. Yet, the Omagh-born presenter provides an invaluable service to the 3,500 sign language users who tune in for the daytime news at 1.40pm, a popular slot before Doctors.

Further read at: www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/shes-a-familiar-face-from-bbc-ni-where-she-signs-the-news-for-deaf-people-but-few-know-her-own-inspiring-story-36198015.html

British Deaf Association: PRESS RELEASE: UK Government needs to grant deaf people “the right to educated high-quality sign language interpretation”: leading UN committee paves the way for a British Sign Language Act

In a landmark moment for deaf people in the UK, the UK government has been told by a leading UN committee that it must “ensure that legislation provides for the right to educated high-quality sign language interpretation…in all spheres of life”, highlighting a key loophole in current UK law.

The announcement came as part of the Concluding Observations of the UN Committee of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) whose chairperson, Theresia Degener, was unfaltering in her clear criticism of the UK Government’s ‘grave and systematic violations’ of deaf and disabled people’s human rights.

Read the full Press Release on our site at:

UN committee paves the way for a BSL Act

People with hearing loss can feel isolated at work, which prevents them from fulfilling their potential – and can even force them to leave employment altogether.

Further read and a digital copy of the guide is at: www.hearinglink.org/news/hearing-loss-news/hearing-loss-employment-guide/

Action Deaf Youth: Hi, everyone, these are the details for The Wee Vibes Summer scheme. Age 8 plus. Price is £30 for the week. Places are CAPPED at ten per week. Please contact Aoife Ady

For age 8 plus

With Action Deaf in Youth

Action Deaf Youth: Why not join our FREE Essential Skills Classes at Action Deaf Youth? We offer one to one mentoring support, Communication support, free lunches and travel too!

Contact Kylie Actiondeafyouth or Megan Actiondeafyouth today or email [email protected]