Welcome to our fourth newsletter. There are a number of developments I’d like to share with you, so please read on.

WFA Media

As you may know, I recently completed a media training course run by WFA Media.  It was an interesting and valuable learning experience and one I believe other Deaf people would also enjoy and benefit from.  I remained in contact with WFA after completing the course as they expressed an interest in running a similar event for Deaf people right across the Cheshire region.

Recently I was pleased to be asked to support them in their approach to Northwest Vision and Media, an organisation that funds and supports this type of media training work.  We were invited along to present the funding bid and it was a nerve-wracking experience, but I’m now delighted to be able to report that WFA Media have been successful in securing this funding. They are now in the process of planning this course especially for Deaf people in Cheshire. I’ll be involved in teaching it, which will be a great opportunity for me to try something different as well as be a good role model for the course participants and with the BBC moving its Headquarters to the Northwest, this is a timely opportunity for Deaf people to get a head start in a media career. The course dates have yet to be finalised, but it will take place some time this year, so keep your eye out for more information soon.

Their media company website is www.wfamedia.co.uk

The Francophone Africa Deaf Trust (FADT)

There are some changes afoot with our favourite charity, the Francophone Africa Deaf Trust. I recently attended a meeting in London with FADT, to discuss how we can support them further in their work. The charity is planning to change its name to DEAF, the Deaf Education Africa Foundation in the near future and I will be working to develop a new website for them.

Additionally, I will be embarking on a fundraising drive on their behalf, involving approaching business contacts for donations, organising Deaf fundraising events, creating a donations page for them at www.justgiving.com and collecting sponsorship for myself and a friend to walk the 84 miles of Hadrian’s Wall, which should be a challenge!

Go to our charity website, please click here.

Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)

On March 5th I delivered a day of Deaf Awareness training for EHRC staff in Manchester. This was a pilot training session for helpline staff working for EHRC. The day was a great success and the staff gained a lot of useful knowledge about deafness and Deaf people which I am sure they will find helpful in their work. They were eager to develop their skills further and to learn some BSL, but as the course was only a pilot, it remains to be seen whether this training is followed up or rolled out across the entire organisation.

CACDP Accredited Deaf Awareness and Communication Course

I’m delighted to be able to announce that RUDeafaware is now offering a new CACDP accredited training course in Deaf Awareness and Communication, covering tactics for communicating with both Deaf and Deaf Blind people. This is a comprehensive two day training course, meaning that our clients now have the choice of this, or the shorter, non-accredited course. Please see our website for further details.

Bye for now!

That’s all the news from us for now. Thank you for taking the time to read. We’ll be updating you with more news in a couple of months.

Go to November 2007 E-newsletter