Deaf Awareness Week - How we can help

Approximately 11 million people in the UK are deaf or have hearing loss. Deafness and hearing loss can have a range of challenging implications, especially when it comes to communication. 

Overcoming these obstacles can cause issues in day to day life. These challenges are no small feat - so we must all do our bit to support those who need it and learn more about how deafness can impact life. To celebrate Deaf Awareness Week, we’re shining a light on how Nottingham On Call can support the deaf community. 

What is Deaf Awareness Week? 

Deaf Awareness Week 2024 will takes place from the 6th to the 12th of May.

The UK Council on Deafness created Deaf Awareness Week to increase the visibility of challenges the deaf community face and educate others on how they can support them.

Being deaf brings unique challenges that not everyone will experience. Part of these challenges can be to do with mental health and exclusion from others. That’s why it’s up to everyone to come together to create a more inclusive society that values every individual. 

How can we help? 

You may not know that Nottingham on Call also provide a range of equipment for people who may not need an alert raising at our call centre. But may need help within their own property. For example, you just need to alert the other people in the house that some attention / support is needed, if that person is hard of hearing or deaf visual alerts can be implemented. 

The range of equipment which is not linked to the call centre is known as standalone equipment. There is more information here.

Some examples of helpful equipment and their uses are as follows:-

This device is especially useful for individuals who may have hearing impairments or who may not respond to traditional auditory alarms or alerts. The visual nature of the strobe ensures that people with different sensory needs can be alerted effectively.

This is a computer tablet type device which is set up to show the current time and if it is daytime or night-time. This can help orientate the user to the correct time of day and can prevent for example a trip to the shops at 3am as the clock clearly says it is night-time. In addition, the Memrabel can be set up to provide the user with reminders.  This can be regular medication or even one-off events such as appointments.

These are motion sensing lights which will turn on when they sense movement. A common use for these will be to place them in a hallway leading to the toilet.  If the user is going to the toilet without putting the lights on, the night light will automatically come on and light up the hallway for a minute to allow the user to walk safely past without tripping.

There are other types of standalone equipment Nottingham on Call is able to offer depending on your circumstances.  Please get in touch with our advisors on 0115 7469101 Option 1, or by emailing at atservice@nottinghamcity.gov.uk