Who hasn’t benefited from the Internet and social networking? From keeping in touch with old old school friends on Facebook, finding a new job on LinkedIn or charity fund-raising on Twitter, the range of possibilities is amazing.
But for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people the internet offers a new world of communication. Equal access, inexpensive and without any intermediaries, I don’t think any hearing person can imagine how revolutionary this must have been.
The internet makes communication support much more accessible, for example:
Our Live Remote Captioning service works because of the Internet and Skype.
SignVideo use video conferencing techonology to provide interpretation services for deaf people using remote computer links with interpreters.
There are so many other great resources available, here are a selection of our favourities:
Skill: Promoting equality in education, training and employment for disabled people
Hearing Times is a national UK newspaper for Deaf and hard of hearing communities and professionals in the hearing industry.
Deaf4Life: discussion forum and chat board, mainly for deaf people; includes deaf news,deaf sports and forums for ex-students of schools for the deaf.
Improving Support: How the support sector can adapt to a changing world
UK Council on Deafness The UK national infrastructure organisation for voluntary sector organisations working with deaf people.
Hearing Link support and information for people and families with hearing loss.
The DeafBlog: The main focus is on cochlear implants and the impact they have in helping both young and old to hear.
I Look so I can hear: This blog is about living with a hearing loss in London (UK), aiming to raise awareness of various issues surrounding hearing loss.
Deafinitely Girly deaf in the city and having fun
Campaigning for deaf children A man with a mission, a soapbox AND a placard…
National Network of Assessment Centres is a UK-wide network of specialist services that work together to facilitate access for disabled people to education, training, employment and personal development in the post 16 sector.
How do you use the internet and what sites would you recommend?
