Deafness issues in spotlight at college

May 16 2008 Chester Chronicle

STAFF and students at West Cheshire College have been improving their understanding of deafness by participating in a Deaf Awareness Week.

The event, which was organised by the college’s deaf studies and deafness support teams, was arranged to coincide with national Deaf Awareness Week, coordinated by the UK Council on Deafness.

Over the week, deaf, deafened and hard of hearing staff and students answered questions and taught basic sign language, while providing resources and information on being deaf.

Staff and students also had the opportunity to ‘become deaf’ for an hour over lunch through the use of earplugs and guidance sheets.

Julie McGinn, area manager for learning services at West Cheshire College, said: “West Cheshire College is delighted to have contributed to raising awareness during Deaf Awareness Week to help improve the understanding of the different types of deafness. The college works alongside deaf students to ensure their learning needs are met, with each student having an individual learning and support plan and access to a wide range of specialist support and assisting technologies, including specialist software and communication support workers.

“We also work closely with specialist schools in the area to ensure the transition from school to college is smooth and that individual support requirements are in place right at the beginning of the course”.

l For further information on learning support for students with learning difficulties and disabilities, please contact Do Bedford on 01244 670 508/506.