Signing at 13,000 feet

This is a just a small snippet of the full-length skydive video posted yesterday - but its the bit when Chris Majid signed the name of our society while falling from the sky, in excess of 100 miles per hour, from 13,000 feet! Worth a moment of your time!

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Watch Chris Majid's Skydive

Here it is! - The big moment when our volunteer Chris Majid jumped from 13,000 feet above Peterborough to raise money for our charity. Heroic volunteer Charlene Spires, who also jumped for us that day, is in the video and jumps just before Chris. Check out Chris's mid air sign language!


Due to copyright laws, the sound is disabled because of the music.

If you would like to do a skydive for PDDCS - check out our 'How to Support Us' page

We all want to extend a big thanks to Chris and Charlene. Thank you!

Please take time to visit the Action on Hearing Loss online shop where you can find hundreds of useful products designed for deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus

Sri Lankan Deaf People March for Their Rights

Deaf People in Sri Lanka took to the streets of the capital city Colombo yesterday to demand better rights and access to education and employment.

Sri Lanka's government stand accused of not adhering to international human rights with respect to deaf people.

Federation Chairman H.G. Sarath Kumara said it was unfortunate that though the Sri Lankan Constitution and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities also focused on the rights of deaf people, in reality these polices were not adhered to.

“The protection of deaf people’s rights as stated in the constitution and other policies state that we have the right to education, the right to work, the right to healthcare facilities, social protection, the right to take part in political affairs, the right to live among others as one community. However we do not have these rights and a vast majority of deaf people live in disparity,” Mr. Kumara said.

Click here for the full story

Please take time to visit the Action on Hearing Loss online shop where you can find hundreds of useful products designed for deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus

Education professionals working with deaf kids? This is for you.. Read on..

Do you know any education professionals who are directly working with families of deaf and hearing impaired children aged 0 to 5 years old? Would they be interested in free training to deliver the NDCS Family Sign Language Curriculum to support their work with families?

The NDCS “Family Sign Language Training the Trainers” two-day course will be held at four different venues on four different dates:

·         13 and 14 October, Leicester

·         19 and 20 October, London

·         25 and 26 October, Leeds

·         10 and 11 November, Winchester

Day One will be delivered by colleagues from Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) at University College London and will focus on language acquisition of BSL, BSL linguistics, storytelling skills and Sign Bilingualism. Day Two will be more practice-based looking at how to deliver the FSLC, lesson planning, differentiation, creating resources, and micro-teaching activities.

This training course is free to colleagues who would like to deliver the FSLC and meet our minimum skills and competences. Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. Individual applications to be made via booking form and email to Helen Foulkes, NDCS Project Manager: Family Sign Language at sign@ndcs.org.uk  before Monday 12 September.


NDCS are also pleased to announce a new small grants scheme to help families with deaf children access Family Sign Language courses. Grants are available to organisations, such as Local Deaf Children’s Societies, who want to deliver Family Sign Language courses in the UK using the NDCS FSLC. For an application form and to find out more please email Helen Foulkes at sign@ndcs.org.uk

Please take time to visit the Action on Hearing Loss online shop where you can find hundreds of useful products designed for deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus

BSL Signer? Good with Technology? Read on...

Wanted!

Fluent British Sign Language [BSL] users who are mobile techies to work as O2 Gurus in London

Are you a British Sign Language user, great at technology, love playing with gadgets and like working with people?

Do you have experience working in a telecoms environment?

A leading O2 franchise is looking for fluent users of BSL who can become O2 Gurus to help people through the maze of mobile phone technology and give them a great customer experience with their mobile phone. Customers may be complete beginners or experienced users but all O2 customers are important and this is a great opportunity to be part of a global company.

This post is full time and based in central London. Salary £18k + Bonus (OTE £22 – £24,000)

You will receive training and also deliver training to your team mates.

Interested?

To find out more about this unique opportunity please email us with BSL GURU 1408 in the subject box and attach your CV - Send it to:

trish@positivesignslondon.com

We will send you a full job description.

Closing date - 5pm on 14th August 2011

Positive Signs, led by Director Sally Paull, are the sole recruitment agents for this vacancy.

Please take time to visit the Action on Hearing Loss online shop where you can find hundreds of useful products designed for deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus

Moving On for Education and Employment Choices

On Friday 14th October, the second annual Moving On day, specifically aimed at young deaf people, takes place in Cambridge. 

It's a one day event which is organised by the NHS and education agencies and aims to provide information on the following: 

• Employment options
• Education options
• Financial guidance
• Sexual health advice

At last year's event 50 young people attend and the day was a resounding success with many teenagers saying they had relished the opportunity to meet other deaf teenagers and find out more about important things for their life as an independent hearing impaired/deaf adult.

For more information, email Sarah Clark, Youth Worker for Cambridgeshire and click here for the official poster

sassclark@gmail.com

Please take time to visit the Action on Hearing Loss online shop where you can find hundreds of useful products designed for deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus

Play Scheme Details

It's here again! The popular PDDCS Summer Play Scheme registration is open!

Once again being held at Marshfield School in Dogsthorpe from August Monday 22nd to Friday 26th August, this years theme is 'Under the Sea' and on the Thursday all the kids will be off to Hunstanton... Seaside...Sea Life Centre.. Hooray!

Our fabulous Chairperson, qualified signer and youth worker, Nicola Epathite, will be running the scheme with a crew of top volunteers in a brilliant setting. The times are from 10am till 3pm every day that week and deaf children only pay £10 for the week! Bargain.. Other Children and siblings can come along too for £10 a day.

Click here for all the details

Please take time to visit the Action on Hearing Loss online shop where you can find hundreds of useful products designed for deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus

Radio 1 DJ Sara Cox Forced to Apologise to Deaf Community

Radio 1 DJ Sara Cox was caught in a Twitter storm on Tuesday night after criticising the subtitles on display during a screening of the new film 'Bridesmaids'.

Former model and current radio star Cox claimed she asked for a refund after being told the film had subtitles and later insulted the deaf people who responded to her on Twitter.

Both the Telegraph and the Sun pick up the story.

The Sun
The Telegraph 

If you are on Twitter and notice a problem with subtitles on TV or Cinema, use the #subtitlefail hashtag to report it.



Please take time to visit the Action on Hearing Loss online shop where you can find hundreds of useful products designed for deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus

Take a Look at Ed Sheeran's Amazing New Signing Music Video -

From the Mirror.co.uk

Rising star Ed Sheeran has surprised his critics and fans by simply using sign language in the music video for his new single.

The stroke of artistic genius has pleased Sheeran's devoted fan base as the song 'You Need Me, I Don't Need You' was pinpointed as a reason behind his success after originally filming the song on SB:TV.


Since achieving number three in the official UK charts with 'The A-Team', the singer has been tipped to reach number one with his next track before the release of his highly anticipated album '+' on 12th September.

Watch the video to 'You Need Me, I Don't Need You' below.



Please take time to visit the Action on Hearing Loss online shop where you can find hundreds of useful products designed for deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus

Deaf University Student? Check This Out..

David (left) in My Song

Star of deaf related hit film My Song, David Hay, is conducting research into experience of university life for deaf students for the University of Wolverhampton.


You can have gone to any UK University to take part or still be a student. The aim of the survey is to get statistical information about universities across the UK and how they accommodate deaf students.

Click here to take the survey

For a good cause - and it won't take long..




Please take time to visit the Action on Hearing Loss online shop where you can find hundreds of useful products designed for deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus

Over 100 head to Drayton Manor today

Big day today as over 100 kids, parents and friends of families of deaf children make their way on two full coaches to Drayton Manor Theme Park near Birmingham.

A big thanks to all our sponsors and donors for making the day possible. We will be taking children of all ages, from tiny tots to youth group.

We will let you know how it goes - lets hope the rain holds off.

Rain is no friend to a hearing aid..

Please take time to visit the Action on Hearing Loss online shop where you can find hundreds of useful products designed for deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus

Go on...do the Great Eastern Run for PDDCS!

The Great Eastern run is on the 9th October and registration is open! Starting and ending in Peterborough City Centre, the Great Eastern Run is the equivalent of the popular Great North Run and attracts athletes from far and wide, as well as thousands of amateurs looking for a challenge.

So why not give it a go and raise money for PDDCS and put a smile on the face of some the city's deaf children? Click here for our information on the official race site and please feel free to run on our behalf. We would provide you with your racing vest and guaranteed support round the course until you reach the finish and get treated like hero! Who could ask for more?

Click here for the official site, register and start your training! If you are interested in running for PDDCS, please email us peterborough@ndcsgroup.org.uk if the official site does not yet provide a link.

Update: Jim Roberts signs up to run..

Every step you run will make a big difference.  

Please take time to visit the Action on Hearing Loss online shop where you can find hundreds of useful products designed for deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus

Peterborough Deaf Students Awarded

Naima Suge and Ayesha Quraishy who are both deaf and study at Peterborough's Jack Hunt School, were acknowledged an awards evening for their positive work experience placements.


Ayesha received a glowing report from her contributions in her role in Contract and Procurement in Children's Services for Peterborough City Council while Naima Suge's efforts in Caverstede Nursery were not only recognised by the staff but also by the parents of hearing children that attend the nursery.


Well done to Naima and Ayesha! We are proud of you.

Please take time to visit the Action on Hearing Loss online shop where you can find hundreds of useful products designed for deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus

Deaf Teenage Poetry Part 2

My Profound Life

I have been left in a silent world where quiet is profound.

Listen, not with your ears but your eyes. 

I watch my friend’s hands make pictures in the air. 

I wonder about the world of sound. 

I fall asleep under the lights surrounded by men in green gowns. 

More silence during the wait, the long wait, before the switch on. 

Excited and nervous as it comes closer to the time. 

Forever and ever electricity in my head going round and round. 

Buzz, am I on a new world full of sound, 

where I can use my ears instead of my eyes, 

make pictures in the air with my mouth instead of my hands? 

Brain awash with noise that becomes sound of voices and birds chirping, 

Although happy as I can now hear better and now know that it will improve. 

Communicating and getting on with people better, 

being a loud, confident person instead of a shy, quiet one. 

Proud to be me.

Katie Bocking

Please take time to visit the Action on Hearing Loss online shop where you can find hundreds of useful products designed for deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus

Thanks to Cllr Janet Goodwin

Just a quick post to send our thanks to our long-time supporter Councillor Janet Goodwin, who represents Peterborough Orton Longueville Ward.

Janet, once again, has arranged for a donation to our Charity, this time of £750, which will help pay for our October fun day at Big Sky (more details to follow) and our annual Christmas Party. Janet's support and friendship to our charity has made a real difference to the growing number of deaf children and their families in the city.

Thanks again Cllr Goodwin!

Please take time to visit the Action on Hearing Loss online shop where you can find hundreds of useful products designed for deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus

Shorty and his Maj-esty Jump for PDDCS

PDDCS Volunteers Chris Majid and Charlene 'Shorty' Spires jumped from a plane on the 18th June to raise important funds for PDDCS. Accompanied by almost 50 friends and family, the daredevil pair waited four hours for the rain to clear before donning the jumpsuit and boarding the plane.

The jump went well with both landing gently in a field near Sibson Airfield in Peterborough. The pair raised almost £2000 for the PDDCS which will go a long way to paying for many activities for local deaf children and young people from babies upwards.

Do you fancy it? All you have to do is click here and away you go! Next up for the jump are some daredevils with deaf connections from Leicester.. more to be revealed once confirmed.

A big thanks to Chris and Charlene (who is travelling around the world right now) - you're the best!

Please take time to visit the Action on Hearing Loss online shop where you can find hundreds of useful products designed for deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus

Deaf Teenage Poetry

Some Poetry from two Deaf Teenagers living and studying Peterborough

 It’s About Me!

 YO YO YO

My name is Javaria Nargis

I am 13 years old

I am Deaf

I was born in Peterborough

YO YO YO

I’m always cheeky girl and sometime naughty

But I’m good and nice girl

Familys and friend are important to me.

Going out with friends and familys.

Sometimes I talked to friends and familys

Without sign language, I been practised

Lip-read with Mrs Hardy. She’s a wonderful

T.A. ever.

YO YO YO

I made a promise for my granddad

He said “please wear implant cochlear

Before I die”. I said “I’ll try the next

Day he gone, I missed him

Soooooo much. He’s best granddad ever

I had! Rest in peace granddad. 16/1/10

YO YO YO

Javaria Nargis

My Identity

 My name is Ayesha Quraishy

I am 16 years old

I am deaf

Born in Kenya

Moved in 2006 to England

Family and friends are important to me

Achieved level 3 British Sign Language

GCSEs are on the  way

Friendly, polite, kind, caring

I am a good role model they say

Out going with friends and families

I like to try new things

Youth Clubs

Traveling, I love new things like rock climbing and sky diving

Shopping is my passion

I hate R.E.

Enjoy life and happy the way I am

It’s good to be me.

Ayesha Quraishy

Please take time to visit the Action on Hearing Loss online shop where you can find hundreds of useful products designed for deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus

New Deaf Film Is Food For Thought

The End is an excellent film funded by the BSLBT (British Sign Language Broadcasting Trust) about what could happen if a cure had been found for deafness in the future.

The film, which is filmed like a documentary, charts the progress of four deaf children through their lives as they make decisions about what to do about this new treatment. It contains some emotional content and shows people who are angry when they feel their deaf culture is being threatened.

You can join the BSLBT's Facebook Page here to keep up to date with new films that come out.

Click here for the film! http://www.bslzone.co.uk/bsl-zone/zoom-focus-the-end/



Please take time to visit the Action on Hearing Loss online shop where you can find hundreds of useful products designed for deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus

Get to the Co-Op and raise money for PDDCS

Good news for PDDCS this week as The co-operative food supermarket at the Orton Gate Shopping Centre in Peterborough launched a fundraising campaign on our behalf!

All you have to do is hand in your receipt and for every receipt handed in that means 1p in the coffers to pay for activities for Peterborough's Deaf Children.

Get down there and help PDDCS while you shop..

Please take time to visit the Action on Hearing Loss online shop where you can find hundreds of useful products designed for deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus