Organisation: Hands That Talk

Description:
Hands That Talk is a project that came about as a direct response to the enormous deficit in provision for those people in our community who are either deaf or suffer from some form of hearing impairment. The project, which has charitable status, is peopled by volunteers from all sections of the community. Since its establishment in February 2000, it has grown to be the largest deaf community group in the country.

Hands That Talk adopts a holistic approach to the plight of the deaf community by offering a broad range of social, educational and recreational opportunities, in an attempt to redress the imbalance of unemployment, marginalisation, poor self-esteem and exclusion that deaf and hard of hearing people experience.

Health-related courses, including mental health, are accessible to deaf people in their target language - Sign. These courses provide access to a range of health issues including preventative measures. Participants are encouraged to engage in physical exercise and examine the use of alternative therapies and relaxation in an attempt to promote healthy lifestyles. Among the themed seminars available are drug, alcohol and cancer awareness. Our chairperson represents deaf people on the Altnagelvin Hospital Patients’ Forum.

Contact name: Máire Scullin

Address:
72 Main Street
Dungiven

Postcode: BT47 4LD

Tel: (028) 7774 2776

Fax: (028) 7774 2908

Email: info@handsthattalk.co.uk

Website: www.handsthattalk.co.uk

Sector (statutory, voluntary, community, other): Voluntary

Area of interest/expertise:
Irish and British Sign language courses to NVQ4; outreach courses in primary and secondary schools, tailored courses for business and statutory sectors; developing awareness and communication with deaf and deaf-blind people, essential skills, and ICT courses. Social club runs every Friday night and includes theme nights, seasonal parties, quizzes, Sign practice, tai chi, line dancing. Also, kids club and senior citizens luncheon club. Development of resources for teaching and learning Sign language. Service level agreement with Western Health and Social Services Trust for a communication support service. In addition, we service many other areas requiring access to information for deaf and hard of hearing people.

Mission statement:
Hands That Talk is a cross-community voluntary organisation that seeks to engender a pride in the deaf community, its culture and language and promote a greater interest in, and awareness of, deaf people, whilst acknowledging the valid contribution that they make to society.