Deaf or Hard of Hearing Project
Deaf or Hard of Hearing Project
LINkrotherham worked with the local Deaf and Hard of Hearing community and identified that this community often have problems when attending Rotherham Hospital out patients department. Working alongside the hospital LINkrotherham members talked to deaf and hard of hearing patients about their experience of services. The outcomes formed a report which was submitted to the Rotherham Foundation Trust.
A meeting has since been held with the Foundation Trust who is eager to implement the recommendations made where possible. We are also working together on identified issues with other facilities provided by the Foundation Trust.
By working with the deaf community, LINkrotherham identified other areas where services could be improved, one of which was cancer awareness. Through joint work with the Deaf Futures Group, Rotherfed, Cancer Action Rotherham and Macmillan Cancer Information Services 2 cancer awareness sessions were planned for the local deaf community. These sessions were planned specifically for profoundly deaf people using BSL interpretors and lots of tactile props so participants could feel for themselves what a lump feels like.
The first one, a women’s only breast aware event, was held in March 2011 and the second one, a men’s only event is planned for late 2011. If you or anyone you know would like to attend the men's event please contact a member of the LINk Support Team.
