Roadshow makes a huge difference
DEAF children and their hearing friends in Bangor and Caernarfon spent a couple of days seeing how vibrating alarm clocks help deaf children get to school on time and learning top tips to consider in the playground. It’s part of the National Deaf Children’s Society Roadshow which travelled through the town this week.
The Roadshow, an eight ton purple lorry that turns into a high tech classroom, visited Ysgol Friars and Ysgol Yr Hendre delivering support, advice and information to some of the 2,300 deaf children in Wales.
The Roadshow team spent the day giving workshops to deaf children, hearing friends, teachers and parents, about the difficulties that deaf children often face; including some of the following practical tips on how best to communicate with a deaf child: ● Get their attention with a wave, or a tap on the shoulder ● Speak one at a time ● Face them when speaking ● Don’t cover your mouth ● Be visual! Don’t be afraid to use gestures or actions ● Never give up and say “I’ll tell you later”!
As well as teaching key skills, the National Deaf Children’s Society also showcased the latest technology and equipment available to deaf children. This ranged from flashing doorbells and vibrating alarm clocks, to Bluetooth neckloops that can make it easier to listen to an iPod or a mobile phone.
Jamie Chivers, Outreach Officer for the National Deaf Children’s Society who is deaf himself and drives the Roadshow bus, said: “Deaf children can do anything other children can do, given the right support.
“A visit from the Roadshow can make a real difference for a deaf child struggling with confidence, independence or communica- tion and the more we can do to spread deaf awareness and information, the better.”
The Roadshow is continuing its tour of the UK by heading on to Lichfield. Schools and community groups can get further information about getting the Roadshow to visit from Kerry Ross on Kerry.Ross@ndcs.org.uk or by calling 020 7014 5924.