Category: In the news

Launch of WDDA Deaf Communication Card

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You asked, we delivered!  WDDA is pleased to introduce Deaf Communication Cards to help improve the experience of the 2000+ Deaf BSL users accessing services in Dorset.

The purpose of the wallet-sized cards is to help identify patients/service users immediately as deaf and that there is a need for communications support.  The card also includes details of local BSL interpreter services and a 24 hour contact number so that healthcare providers/service providers know how to book a BSL interpreter.

Now that we have the WDDA Deaf Communication Card we want to get them into the hands of every Deaf BSL user in Dorset!

deaf communication card

 

We are providing these cards free of charge to all Deaf BSL users so please just get in touch if you would like one.  If you are an agency working with Deaf BSL users and would be interested in holding a supply of cards to give to your service users please email admin@wdda.co.uk.

We are currently looking at distribution points – local Deaf Clubs, Audiology Departments, Libraries… We’d value your input on this.  Please comment below with your suggestions.

 

Coming soon – WDDA Hard of Hearing Communication Cards.

 

Opportunities to Teach for WDDA

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George Raggett, WDDA Trustee and BSL Tutor

At Wiltshire and Dorset Deaf Associaon (WDDA) we are offering the opportunity for people to consider taking up a career, or just supplementing their income, through teaching British Sign Language (BSL) and more general Deaf Awareness & Communication skills.  Across Dorset and Wiltshire the demand for our training courses from Businesses, Schools and Public services is continuing to increase in addition to the publicly available courses we run at various venues.  We will support suitable candidates with the costs of obtaining a City & Guilds Teaching qualification and the support of an experienced mentor during your early training and ongoing development.

There are lots of opportunities for you to work alongside experienced teachers in our team who are all bi-lingual in BSL and English.  We have a proven and successful track record of developing individuals in this role.  The offer is open to all, of any age and background, Deaf or Hearing.  You would be working on a freelance basis and the pay would be in the range of £17 – £25 per hour depending on experience and the level you would be teaching at.  To express an interest or for more information contact WDDA Administrator Zoe on 07793284109 or admin@wdda.co.uk for a written/spoken reply or to arrange a Zoom or Whatsapp video call with a signing member of our team.

 

Your privacy matters

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General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) became law on the 25th May 2018.  It is the first major overhaul of data protection in the UK for 20 years.  The purpose is to give individuals more rights, to have more transparency and to ensure that any organisation that collects, handles or shares personal data does so with a clear and lawful purpose.
The Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulation (PECR) governs the use of electronic channels for communication such as Email.  It says that you cannot email people marketing messages without clear and freely given Consent.

What you need to know:
• You can trust Wiltshire and Dorset Deaf Association to store and use your data responsibly.

• Our Data Controller is George Raggett, who has day-to-day responsibility for data protection.  To find out more about our data protection policies and procedures please contact George via email at admin@wdda.co.uk

• Wiltshire and Dorset Dead Association will only share your data, if necessary, with our awarding body, Signature who themselves are GDPR data compliant.  A copy of our written processor contract between WDDA and Signature is available on request.

• If you are embarking on your BSL learning journey with WDDA it is likely that we will need to communicate with you via email, telephone or text message about the date/s or the arrangements for your training.  WDDA may also contact you about other similar training opportunities and events in the future that we believe will be of interest to you.  If you would prefer us not to contact you via email with information about future training courses/events please just let us know.

You can read our full GDPR Privacy Notice here: http://wdda.co.uk/wp/wdda-privacy-notice/.   You might want to grab yourself a cuppa first though!

Making children’s nurseries as deaf-friendly as possible

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Check out this fantastic video from the National Deaf Children’s Society on how to make nurseries as deaf-friendly as possible.

Please share this video with any friends who might like to watch it, or send this link https://youtu.be/TGhcSirQnmA to your child’s nursery.

If you work in a nursery or other early years/primary school educational setting please contact WDDA to find out more about how our bespoke deaf awareness and introduction to British Sign Language courses can support you to help deaf and hard of hearing children reach their potential.

Well done to Maisie Sly from Swindon

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Well done to Maisie Sly from Swindon. Wow!, what a positive role model and inspiration for all who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing, particularly profoundly deaf young people and their families.

If you live in Wiltshire television area you have probably seen the clip before. But if not watch it to the end, the presenter says it all.

We are proud of you Maisie!

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