03.09.12 Kerry Deaf Resource Centre Update
KDRC REOPENS TODAY
Hope you are all enjoying the sun. As often happens, the good weather
arrived at the same time as the reopening of the schools and KDRC!
KDRC is open 10am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday. It closes at 1pm for one
hour for lunch, opening again at 2pm. On Fridays it is open from 10am
to 1pm only.
KDRC is a drop-in resource centre for people who are Deaf or hard of
hearing, or for anyone with a query in relation to their hearing or
that of a family member. It also provides advice and information about
Deaf issues, assistive equipment, and related rights and entitlements.
Sign Language classes, taught by freelance tutors, are organised
through the Centre.
If you have any doubts/questions about any of these topics, feel free
to call in or to contact the Centre to make an appointment with a
member of staff who will deal with your query.
SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS AT TD AND SENATOR CLINICS
KDRC got an email from IDS in relation to the provision of Sign
Language interpretation at TD and Senator clinics. Clinics are TD
offices in your own area.
Senator Mark Daly has informed IDS that “Members of both Houses of the
Oireachtas can now hire recognised sign language interpreters for
their clinics.” This means Deaf people can meet and talk to members of
the Senate or Dáil with an interpreter. The TD or Senator can then
claim a refund of the costs.
Please pass this information onto your local public representative (TD
or Senator). Interpreters can be booked directly, through SLIS or
other Sign Language interpreting agencies.
DIGITAL SWITCHOVER SMALL GRANT SCHEME
Thanks to IDS via Cork Deaf Club for this information regarding the
Digital Switchover. On 24th October television is changing from
analogue to digital. On this date the analogue signals will be
switched off and digital television will remain. Saorview is the only
free digital service. If you have a subscription with Sky or UPC or
other provider, your television service will not be affected.
As part of the campaign to ensure that everyone in the country is
fully informed about the switchover, an Outreach Programme has been
established. The aims of the Programme are to raise awareness of the
importance of making the switchover and the consequences of not doing
so, and to raise awareness of the options available to make a
successful switchover.
The Outreach Programme is offering a small grant (max. 200 euro) to
groups to assist them raising awareness. For example, the grant may be
used to cover interpreting costs at a talk about the Digital
Switchover. To apply for this grant, contact the Digital Outreach
Champion in your county. More information is available here:
http://www.goingdigital.ie/
OMBUDSMAN CLINIC IN CORK
The Office of the Ombudsman runs a monthly outreach clinic in Cork.
The next clinic is this Wednesday, 5th September.
The Ombudsman investigate complaints from members of the public who
believe that they have been unfairly treated by certain public bodies.
The Ombudsman can investigate complaints made in relation to all
Government Departments, the HSE (and public hospitals and health
agencies providing services on behalf of the HSE), Local Authorities,
and An Post.
The Ombudsman also examines complaints about failures by public bodies
to provide accessible buildings, services and information, as required
under Part 3 of the Disability Act 2005. For this type of complaint
the Ombudsman can investigate Government Departments, Local
Authorities, the HSE and semi-state bodies, as well as most other
state organisations.
If you have a complaint about a public organisation and would like the
Ombudsman to investigate, you can contact them by fax at 016395674,
email: [email protected] or call 016395600. The Ombudsman
is committed to providing an accessible service. If you require a Sign
Language interpreter at your appointment, please indicate this when
you contact them.
Mobile: 0876334687
Fax: 066 712 0386
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 066 712 0399
Website: www.kerrydeaf.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kerrydeaf