Kerry Deaf Resource Centre Update 21.03.11
IRELAND/ETHIOPIA DEAF PROJECT UPDATE
It’s been a busy few months since our trip to Ambo in Ethiopia last Oct/Nov.
People in Ireland have been very supportive and have been very keen to learn
about the project. A number of workshops have been given in Dublin, Cork and
Tralee. This has given us a chance to show photos of our trip and to give
information on the planned developments in Ethiopia.
Our biggest news, which we are very proud of, happened last week- land has
finally been secured for the project. The level of compensation for the land
has now been agreed. This took some time, as there was alot of trees planted
on the land. These had to be counted and recounted. When the number of trees
was calculated, it enabled the local Vincentians and the town Council to
agree what compensation should be paid for the land. Payment has now been
sent to Ethiopia and we hope to have the title deeds and relevant paper work
completed this month. The next step will be to submit an application for
overseas aid. If this is successful, a Centre will be built to meet the
needs of the Deaf community in Ambo.
On behalf of the Irish and Ambo Deaf Community and the Vincentian, we’d like
to thank everyone for their support to date. Further updates will be
available in due course.
PROGRAMME OF NEW GOVERNMENT
The new Irish coalition of Fine Gael and Labour has agreed their new
programme for government. The new programme includes a section about people
with disabilities. It also states “We will examine different mechanisms to
promote the recognition of Irish Sign Language” (ISL).
Political parties have committed themselves to promoting and recognising ISL
and we have seen very little progress in this area. Make sure your local
Government representative is aware of the issues that affect the Deaf
community. Action is required in this area and now is the time to make our
new Government aware of our needs.
To view the full programme, you can download it from both the Fine Gael and
Labour websites.
http://www.finegael2011.com/index.asp
http://www.labour.ie/policy/listing/129943050328508293.html
NEWS FOR THE DEAF AVAILABLE ON RTE WEBSITE
Many of you will be keen viewers of the News for the Deaf on RTE 1. Many
people miss the news in sign language as it is shown before 6pm. You can now
view previous editions on the RTE Player- the most recent edition can be
viewed at http://www.rte.ie/news/av/2011/0320/nuacht.html#
The News for the Deaf is usually towards the end of the Nuacht- click on the
bar beneath the screen and drag forward until you see the Deaf presenters-
watch out also for some new faces.
NATIONWIDE PROGRAMME ON NEW BOOK AND DVD BY DEAF COMMUNICATIONS
On Friday 25th March the well-known show Nationwide will be broadcasting a
full programme on the lives of Deaf people. The programme will be shown on
RTE 1 at 7pm. The programme will feature a new book and DVD published by
Deaf Communications Ltd entitled ‘ISL Communication Unit 1 & 2’ which is
aimed at beginners of ISL. There will be an interview with the author of the
book, Patrick Matthews and some transition year students who have been using
the book in St. Declan’s College in Cabra.
As a follow on from the interview four members of the Deaf community sign
about their life experience, work and interests. They are Julianne Gillen,
Wayne Reid, Lianne Quigley and Seán Herlihy. This programme will no doubt be
of great interest to anyone in the Deaf Community.
IRISH DEAF KIDS (IDK) WORKSHOP
IDK will host a life skills workshop on the 2nd of April in Portlaoise. The
workshop is geared towards teenagers and the theme will be “Meet and Greet”.
It aims to give teen attendees skills to use in different areas of life. How
to explain their communication needs to random schoolmates, or learn to put
‘new’ people at ease while explaining they’re deaf.
To book a place or to get further information, you can email
[email protected]
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