Kerry Deaf Resource Centre Update 16.04.12

CHANGES TO OPENING HOURS.
We would like to inform you of changes to our opening hours. We will now be
open to the public from 10am-1pm and from 2-5pm (Mon-Thurs) and from
10am-1pm (Fridays). To ensure we provide sufficient time to each client,
please contact us in advance and we will schedule an appointment for you
with your preferred staff member.

Our Manager will be on extended leave in May/June and will not be available
for appointments during this period. However, other staff members would be
happy to meet with you in his absence.

SIGNATURE ALIGNED TO NFQ IRELAND
Signature is now pleased to announce that their qualifications have been
aligned with the National Framework for Qualifications for Ireland (NFQ), as
set down by the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI).

According to Pam Tilson (Communications Manager), this means learners who
take a Signature qualification will be recognised under the National
Framework of Qualification. For example, the alignment states that Signature
Level 1 Award in Irish Sign Language is aligned with NFQ Level 3. This is a
very positive step forward for learners and Signature approved Centres such
as our service.

To learn more about the various courses and training that Signature provide
in Ireland, go to http://www.signature.org.uk/page.php?content=49

IRISH DEAF SOCIETY (IDS) ROADSHOW
The IDS will present an information roadshow in our Centre on Friday the
11th of May from 7.30-9.30pm. This session is an opportunity to get
up-to-date information on health, education, community and social matters,
which are of relevance to the Deaf community.

The presentation will be followed by ‘question and answer’ session along
with tea and coffee. Further information will be available closer to the
day.

SIGNS OF LIFE EXHIBITION IN LIMERICK.
The Deaf Community Centre (DCC) is now hosting the successful Signs of Life
exhibition. The exhibition features 26 Irish celebrities such as Robbie
Keane, Roddy Doyle, Rachel Allen, Emma O?riscoll promoting Irish Sign
Language (ISL). The event is free and open to the public from the 14th to
21st April. To view the exhibition, drop into DCC at 96a O?onnell Street in
Limerick.

ELIZABETH MATTHEW’s PhD RESEARCH ONLINE.
Elizabeth S. Matthews is well known in the Deaf community in Ireland. As
part of her PhD research, Elizabeth looked at mainstreaming of deaf
education in Ireland. This research is now available online at
http://www.dcya.gov.ie/documents/publications/scholarship_bn/E_Mathews_Brief
ing_Note_No17.pdf

The research aimed to contribute to knowledge on mainstreaming of deaf
education on a national level. In accomplishing this aim, it had three
significant objectives:

To establish the current policy regarding mainstreaming.
To identify the current practice of mainstreaming.
To contextualise both policy and practice of mainstreaming in the larger
frame of literature regarding both the history of deaf education and
contemporary international best practice.

There are a number of key findings in the research including the need for
early intervention services for deaf/ hard of hearing children. This is
critical in particular for language acquisition. Delayed or inappropriate
intervention can negatively impact language acquisition, literacy and later
academic attainment. Parents reported several delays in the system that
prevented early intervention from being implemented in a timely fashion.

This is an important piece of research of relevance to the Deaf community,
to parents and families, service providers, educational providers and
academics.

SIGNALLING CHANGE
Signalling Change in education, mental health and interpreting is a
documentary directed by Haaris Sheikh and produced by Interesource Group and
the SIGNALL 3 European consortium. It looks at issues relating to Deaf
education, mainstreaming, mental health issues and interpreting in Europe.

Interviews are in Irish Sign Language (ISL), British Sign Language (BSL),
Finnish Sign Language (FinSL), Clips are supported by English voice over and
subtitles.

To view the clip, go to http://vimeo.com/m/39339233 and further information
on SIGNALL is available at www.signall3.com

PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES FOR DEAF PEOPLE.
The National Chaplaincy for Deaf People (NCDP) in conjunction with the
Dublin Diocesan Pilgrimage will organise a pilgrimage to Lourdes from the
7th-12th of September.

The 5 nights (full board) trip cost 689 euro. The hotel for this trip will
be the Hotel Mediterranee.  Booking forms available from: NCDP, 40 Lower
Drumcondra Rd Dublin 9 (Spiritual Director: Fr Gerard Tyrrell, mob: 087
2860704)

OUR CONTACT DETAILS:
Kerry Deaf Resource Centre
4 Gas Tce, Tralee

Mobile (text): 087 633 4687
E-mail: [email protected]

www.kerrydeaf.com
www.facebook.com/kerrydeaf

Fax: 066 712 0386
Tel: 066 712 0399