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Amplifying Voices: The Struggle for Recognition in the Deaf Community

Amplifying Voices: The Struggle for Recognition in the Deaf Community


At the end of "Deaf Awareness Week" ( RNID Deaf Awareness Week ) we bring you a local perspective on what has been a national campaign.

As a veteran who has transitioned from the world of sound to one of silence pierced by screaching tinnitus, I find a profound personal connection with the findings of a recent major survey conducted by the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID). The statistics are more than just numbers; they reflect the lived experiences of up to 30% of military veterans who, like myself, are now living with hearing loss—a rate twice that of the non-veteran population.

In Telford and Wrekin, and indeed across the UK, this is not merely a health issue; it's a matter of social equality and employment equity. As the Disability Spokesperson for the Green Party Telford and Wrekin, I have been deeply disappointed by the lackluster efforts of the Labour-led council to embrace the message and opportunities of this dedicated week.

Telford and Wrekin Council failed to publish any news articles on the subject, to offer anything new to the deaf community, or even to reinstate the 'free' sign language courses they had cut in a bid to save money, thereby also cutting opportunities for those hearing people who wish to communicate with the deaf community. They did, however, manage two social media posts with links to RNID videos but provided zero original content of their own.

Once again, this shows that the Labour mantra "Protect, care, and invest to create a better borough" rings fairly hollow for a vast number of the disabled community yet again.

The RNID's extensive survey, which delved into the experiences of over 8,000 individuals with hearing loss, paints a troubling picture of the societal barriers they face daily. More than a quarter of the respondents have felt the sting of being ignored in public, while two-thirds have encountered negative attitudes or behaviors in the past year. The survey reveals a heart-wrenching detail: nearly half of those with hearing loss have experienced negative attitudes even from their own family members. These experiences aren't just uncomfortable encounters; they contribute to a profound sense of loneliness, isolation, and eroded confidence.

In a country where approximately 300,000 ex-service people are grappling with hearing loss, and where veterans are nearly twice as likely to be unemployed as their civilian counterparts, the RNID's findings are a call to action. The charity firmly believes that learning basic sign language should be more widespread to not only aid communication but also to break down the stigma associated with deafness. This stigma, deeply ingrained in public attitudes as shown by the survey, often leads deaf individuals to withdraw from social interaction.

The RNID's campaign during Deaf Awareness Week (6-12 May) has been more than just a public awareness drive; it's a lifeline to those who feel invisible in a world geared towards the hearing. The campaign suggests three simple actions: getting the attention of a deaf person before speaking, maintaining eye contact, and exercising patience to facilitate better communication. These small steps can make a significant difference.

Crystal Rolfe, RNID's Director of Strategy, asserts that the daily challenges faced by deaf individuals extend beyond public spaces and into the intimate circles of family and friends. This assertion is a sobering reminder that the journey towards inclusivity must begin at home.

As a deafened veteran, I stand in solidarity with the RNID's efforts. It's not just about raising awareness; it's about fostering an environment where deaf veterans and civilians alike can navigate society with dignity. Let us all heed the call this Deaf Awareness Week to transform our perceptions and actions. Together, we can ensure that deaf individuals are seen, heard, and valued in every aspect of life.


**About the author**

Mark Webster, The Green Party Disability Spokesperson for Telford and Wrekin, is an armed forces veteran who benefited from free sign language courses before they were cut. He campaigns on all disability issues, striving to make the world less ableist and more disability-aware, a little bit at a time, every single day.

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