Latest news with #DeafWorld
BBC News
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
'Deaf learner drivers need more support'
Deaf campaigners have called on the government to help make learning to drive more inclusive, as figures reveal there are no British Sign Language (BSL) qualified driving examiners anywhere across figures showed in 2023-2024 that 38.71% of profoundly deaf learners passed their practical test first time, compared with almost 50% of those who could Ahmed, from Birmingham, who is deaf, passed his test in 2019, but said communication could be major barrier when benefited from a scheme run by the charity Deaf World, an organisation that supports young deaf people in the West Midlands. Its road safety project 1st Gear helps learners get up to 25 hours of driving experience under the guidance of qualified BSL Ahmed followed that up by booking extra driving lessons with a standard instructor, but he said it had not always been a smooth ride. "It really is [difficult]. The driving instructors are hearing, so the main barrier we face is communication," he said."If I want to learn in-depth knowledge or specific areas of driving, I'm limited to basic gestures. So it really is quite frustrating."'There is a lot of deaf people who don't have their driving licence, they feel quite isolated because of that."Mr Ahmed now works for Deaf World as a youth officer, supporting the work of the Royal National Institute for Deaf People said learning to drive could be crucial for many of those it worked Devine from the charity said: "Deaf people are the same as everyone else. They want to go out and do things that they enjoy and want to be involved. "For deaf people, the biggest barrier is lack of access. It's society that disables a person." For the theory test, the DVSA makes BSL interpreters available for candidates to book. And in recent weeks, a BSL translation tool has been introduced to the booking website in what it said was a government permanently deaf adults have low literacy levels, as reading is based on spoken language, meaning they rely almost entirely on DVSA said extra support had been provided in 1,128,178 theory tests taken between April 2024 and March 2025,Of this, 1,832 were taken with BSL on-screen and 363 were taken with a BSL practical test is more of a challenge. At the moment, many learners rely on an interpreter who they are allowed to bring with them in the vehicle as well as the examiner, but communication can still be difficult. For Mr Ahmed, learning to drive has allowed him to meet his friends and take part in cricket sessions."In my free time I can come here [to the cricket nets], that's why being able to drive is so important," he said."The deaf community experience an increased percentage of isolation, with deaf people more likely to stay at home. "It's helped me by giving me options of places to go - without being able to drive, it would be so much more difficult. "The idea of public transport is not enough for the deaf community."In a statement, the DVSA said anyone who met the required standard could pass the driving test regardless of disability and it encouraged people to disclose their needs so reasonable adjustments could be DVSA added that if a candidate needed to pay a fee for an interpreter in the practical test, it would reimburse the cost. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
CBS News
28-03-2025
- General
- CBS News
North Mesquite High School hosts "Deaf World" to build empathy and awareness
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to experience the world with no sound? As part of an immersive assignment, North Mesquite High School is helping students and the community experience just that. The Deaf Education Program is hosting "Deaf World," a hands-on experience designed to foster empathy and shed light on the daily challenges of hearing loss. "The whole world is now deaf, and you must be able to sign and communicate," said Christina Pinckney, a deaf education coordinator. For the past few years, this interactive event has put hearing students in real-world scenarios, like checking into a hotel, ordering food, or dropping off a child at daycare, where they must navigate using only sign language. "We're turning the tables on the hearing students, and they have to communicate with deaf students," Pinckney said. "So, what's that like? What are the challenges deaf students face?" Each student goes through the hour-long experience before debriefing and reflecting on what they learned. The Mesquite community was also invited to participate, with the goal of spreading greater awareness and understanding of what it's like to live in a silent world. "They come in and see the experience here, and they're like, 'Whoa, I didn't realize that being deaf involves having so many skills,'" said Baxter Chaney, a deaf education teacher. For staff, the goal is simple: to show that being deaf or hard of hearing isn't a limitation, just a different way of experiencing the world. "I want people to learn that deaf and hard-of-hearing students can do anything that hearing students can," Pinckney said. Students say the experience gave them a new perspective and appreciation for the deaf community. "They make it seem a lot easier than it is," said student Shelby Campbell. "It helps us relate to our classmates."
