Latest news with #DeafAwarenessWeek
Glasgow Times
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Deaf football manager shares heartfelt message to younger self
George McGowan, who is also the assistant manager of Great Britain Deaf Women and chairman of Glasgow Deaf Athletic Football Club, recorded the message as part of the National Deaf Children's Society's Deaf Awareness Week campaign. He said: "When you have dreams, please don't let other people stop you because you are deaf. "On your journey through life, there will be times where you face barriers and obstacles. "The best way to overcome these barriers is to let people know that you are deaf. "The first time you tell people you're deaf can be nerve-wracking, but you will get more confident." George, who has severe to profound hearing loss and wears hearing aids, was not diagnosed until he was four years old. The 49-year-old, who was brought up in Glasgow but now lives in Paisley, delivered advice he would like to have heard when he was younger. He said: "Always remember if you're feeling less for support. "Many people out there are not very deaf aware. "Don't let that make you feel embarrassed or let it affect your confidence. "Be confident. George has given advice to his younger self (Image: Supplied) "Sometimes being nervous isn't a bad thing. "You might be going to an interview or doing a talk at school. "If you're feeling nervous, that's normal. "That really means that you really, really want to do it.' George's message is one of a series of videos from deaf people to their younger selves, shared by the National Deaf Children's Society on social media during Deaf Awareness Week. Arran Masterman, from the National Deaf Children's Society, said: "We want deaf children and their families to be inspired by these stories and messages of empowerment. "We're encouraging deaf children to embrace their deaf identity and see their uniqueness as a strength. "It's also about raising awareness of deaf experiences. "Whether it's overcoming barriers, finding confidence, or embracing sign language, every story is a celebration of deaf pride and resilience, for deaf children, young people and the wider deaf community. 'The National Deaf Children's Society wants deaf children and young people to keep believing in themselves, keep aiming high, and achieving whatever they want to do.' Anyone looking for advice, support, or information about deafness is invited to visit the National Deaf Children's Society's website or call the society's helpline on 0808 800 8880.
Glasgow Times
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow school to create British Sign Language animated film
St Roch's Primary and Deaf School will work with writer and producer Jo Hall on the project, which began on May 5. The animation, funded by Creative Scotland, will be made by the school's pupils, who will animate their own dancing hedgehogs. Read more: 'It was my lifeline': Breastfeeding group praised by mums Jo will also work with Isobel Mair School, in Newton Mearns, to develop the film. Pupils will take part in a series of creative workshops in May and June to create their own characters and stories. The animation is funded by Creative Scotland (Image: Martin Shields Photography) The animation will be aimed at a younger audience, aged three to six, and will be available to watch on the JoJo Gnome website in June. Read more: Glasgow care home residents enjoy 'truly special occasion' The theme for this year's Deaf Awareness Week is "Beyond Silence". The campaign aims to encourage greater understanding of the ways in which deaf and hard-of-hearing people communicate, including the use of British Sign Language, lip-reading, written communication, and assistive technology. The campaign also aims to go beyond just acknowledging deafness and actively work towards building a society where deaf people are valued and empowered.
Daily Record
08-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Jet2 announce major change for customers booking holidays abroad
The update to booking will be a boost for thousands of the travel operator's passengers Airline and Jet2holidays have announced they are making booking holidays easier for thousands of their customers. The travel operators have joined a partnership which will allow the option to have phone conversations with the airline and tour operator translated into British Sign Language (BSL) in real time. The company has joined forces with SignLive, a free online video interpreting service that connects deaf and hard-of-hearing people with qualified British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters. Customers can now have conversations about their booking with Jet2's Assisted Travel Team interpreted in real time by a qualified online BSL interpreter. The conversation will be relayed via the SignLive app or web browser. It means that customers can also access help while abroad too. This partnership is the latest development from Jet2' s dedicated Assisted Travel Team, meaning that customers can contact Jet2 in a way that meets their needs, whether they are making a booking, planning a holiday, arranging a transfer or requesting airport assistance. To use the service, customers can register with SignLive for free via Once they have signed up they can then call Jet2 in the UK, or while they are away, through the community directory. The new partnership is part of and Jet2holidays' Assisted Travel Service. The company said the service aims to ensure that any customer who needs assistance can request it and utilise it with confidence and ease. Steve Wilson, assisted travel manager at and Jet2holidays said: " Travel should be accessible to everyone, and we are constantly looking at how we make our flights and holidays as easy as possible for all. "This fantastic partnership with SignLive makes communicating with our dedicated team even easier and we know it will further enhance how customers get the support they need. "We are very proud of this partnership, which is one of the many steps we are taking to make travel even more accessible for our customers.' Steph Lotz, General Manager at SignLive said: "We are proud to partner with and Jet2holidays to unlock access for deaf customers. "Through SignLive, customers can now have meaningful conversations in British Sign Language (BSL), making it easier to plan their holidays with confidence. This partnership is a strong example of what's possible when inclusion is made a priority." The news comes during Deaf Awareness Week which runs from May 5 until 11. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Glasgow Airport has BSL signboards displaying flight information and customers can also use its special assistance for support and help with travelling. Edinburgh Airport uses SignLive to provide BSL interpretation throughout the terminals using smart devices and was the first UK airport to introduce the service back in 2016. Staff at Manchester Airport have signed up to take a BSL course as part of efforts to improve the service provided to deaf and hearing-impaired passengers. More than 100 workers will be trained in BSL and the course will be tailored to allow them to learn common airport terms.
Daily Record
05-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Ex-Scots RAF serviceman suddenly lost hearing and balance overnight
Philip McDonald, 62, told how his life changed dramatically in 2015. A former Scots RAF serviceman who lost his hearing overnight has praised a Scottish charity for helping him regain his independence. Philip McDonald, 62, from Elgin, told how his life changed dramatically in 2015 when he woke up one morning to find he was unable to hear anything. When he managed to make it to his doctor for an emergency appointment, he was diagnosed with sudden onset hearing loss, which also caused tinnitus. Philip recalled: 'I woke up at 5am to a loud crashing noise, and got up to check what had caused it. I was staggering all over the house, and put it down to being half asleep. 'I went back to bed, but when I woke at 8am, I was still staggering and bouncing around. I thought I would turn the volume on the TV up, but still couldn't hear anything. 'I realised I couldn't hear my feet on the floor, I couldn't hear the kettle, I couldn't hear anything, and I started to panic. 'I managed to get a taxi to the GP, where the doctor and other staff had to communicate with me by writing things down. All I could hear was a loud whistling in my ears from the tinnitus. 'Over time, some of my hearing did come back, but all I can hear now is really low bass notes in one of my ears. Sometimes the tinnitus is so bad I can't hear anything else.' The same condition also brought up severe vertigo, which resulted in Philip losing his job in a nursing home as he was deemed unable to provide safe care. Sharing his story at the start of Deaf Awareness Week, which begins today, he continued: 'It causes nausea and sometimes vomiting. I tell people that it makes me unpredictable as I may have to cancel appointments at the last minute. 'I lost my previous job as a carer in a nursing home because the vertigo was beginning to make me unsafe. I can't predict when it flares up, but I have learned that there are some common triggers, like sudden head movements, or walking down steps. 'There have been times when I've reacted to a loud noise, which made me turn my head suddenly, triggering my vertigo and causing me to fall and land in the middle of the street, on two occasions with cars coming towards me. If I get an inkling of vertigo, I don't go out until it's passed.' Philip previously served in the RAF for 22 years, working as a technician at both RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Kinloss. After his diagnosis he decided to move back to Scotland. Struggling to cope with the sudden changes in his life, he contacted North East Sensory Services (NESS), which provided him with a range of valuable support. The charity supports thousands of blind and deaf people, and those with visual and hearing impairments throughout the North and North-East of Scotland. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Its main objective is to help people with sensory loss to live as independently as possible. Among the practical things that the charity helped with were a flashing doorbell he could see anywhere in his house, as well as a flashing and vibrating smoke alarm. A social worker at the charity also helped him apply for the Adult Disability Payment, which has given him crucial financial support as he is now unable to work. He also joined one of NESS's lipreading classes, which he described as 'amazing' and 'a real turnaround' as it helped him meet others going through the same thing. Philip said: 'I know I can phone NESS any time during the day if I'm feeling lonely. The social isolation is the worst, and they helped me so much with that. I've found that telling people about my hearing loss really helps, and explaining that hearing aids don't magically fix your hearing, they are only there to support you. 'It's really important for people to look at you when they are talking, so you can lip read. I find it difficult when people join in a conversation I am having. I can follow one person, but I can't follow two or three people at the same time. If you are having difficulties with your hearing, and are diagnosed with hearing loss, I would always recommend going to NESS.' Carla Marchbank, statutory services manager at NESS, said: 'Philip's story shows just how devastating sensory loss can be. At NESS, our staff understand people need different things along their journey, and we try to support them in whatever way they need at the best time for them. 'This can be on a practical level, through providing equipment or applying for benefits, or responding with the emotional support that people need as they adapt to their new normal. 'Gaining new skills, such as lipreading, can help people regain control of their situation. Members of groups like the lipreading class also provide each other with peer support, sharing their experiences and expertise with others who are at the start of their journey.'
Belfast Telegraph
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Actress Rose Ayling-Ellis tells younger self being deaf is ‘your advantage'
Former Strictly Come Dancing champion Rose Ayling-Ellis has told her younger self being deaf is 'your advantage', in a message recorded for the National Deaf Children's Society's Deaf Awareness Week.
