Belfast, Northern Ireland, 2014-11-28 — /Travel PR News/ — Children and young people in the Greater Belfast area are being taught sign language and valuable communication skills thanks to an Action on Hearing Loss project funded by the George Best Belfast City Airport Community Fund.
Through the Deaf Awareness for Young People project (D.A.Y), groups of trained volunteers are visiting schools and youth groups to raise awareness of hearing loss and promote various forms of visual communication through fun, interactive workshops.
Jackie White, Action for Hearing Loss NI Director, said:
“An estimated 300,000 people in Northern Ireland are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. If you’re not that 1 person in 6 with hearing loss, then you may know someone who is.
“It is therefore really important that children are aware of hearing loss and can practice non- verbal communication from a young age and that is precisely what the D.A.Y. project, supported by the Belfast City Airport Community Fund, aims to do.
“Our sessions are tailored for different age groups and teach useful British Sign Language (BSL) signs, finger spelling and the anatomy of the ear.
“We were delighted Michelle from Belfast City Airport was able to attend our most recent session and look forward to continuing this project.”
Since its inception in 2009, the airport’s Community Fund has invested more than £170,000 into local projects and groups within Greater Belfast that promote positive social, educational and environmental values.
Michelle Hatfield, Director of Corporate Responsibility at Belfast City Airport, said:
“At Belfast City Airport we are extremely passionate about engaging with and supporting young people within our community, encouraging open communication and understanding the needs of others for a more socially inclusive and balanced society.
“For this reason we are keen to support the D.A.Y project in its efforts to strengthen the development of communication skills of local school children by igniting their natural curiosity for learning and hopefully building on their confidence and communication ability which can be implemented and demonstrated in their daily routine.
“The D.A.Y project brings to light the challenges which so many deaf people in Northern Ireland have to face when carrying out their daily their tasks which we too often take for granted. It has been a pleasure to be involved and play a role in equipping young people with the tools they need to communicate effectively, even in a non-verbal manner.”
For more information on how your school, group or project can apply to the Belfast City Airport Community Fund, please visit www.belfastcityairport.com/ApplyForCommunityFunding
For more information on deafness, hearing loss or tinnitus, or how to get involved in the D.A.Y. project contact information.nireland@hearingloss.org.uk
George Best Belfast City Airport
Belfast BT3 9JH
Co.Antrim
Northern Ireland
Tel:02890 939093
Fax:02890 939094
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George Best Belfast City Airport Community Fund project Action on Hearing Loss raises awareness of hearing loss and promote various forms of visual communication in schools and youth groups