The Big RNID Survey 2024
RNID, the charity supporting people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus, are running a survey about your life experiences. Are you deaf, or do you have hearing loss? Then we want you to tell us what it’s like living in the UK today. This is the biggest survey RNID has ever run to understand public attitudes towards deaf people and people with hearing loss. We’ve asked the general public what they think about deafness and hearing loss and now – most importantly – we want to find out from our the deaf and hearing loss communities about their real-life experiences. Your opinion matters. It helps to educate, change people’s minds, and influence their behaviour. Share your experiences and help make a more inclusive society for all. There is also a chance to win one of five £100 shopping vouchers. More information: Start Survey
The special EastEnders episode took place from Ben Mitchell’s perspective: hearing viewers experienced limited audio levels, on-screen subtitles and fractured sentences to highlight some of the realities of being a deaf person in the UK today.
Lifestyle
On May 27, Deaf Rave had its first outdoor festival in Tower Hamlets' beautiful Victoria Park. It was organised by 'DJ Chinaman' Troi Lee, who I had previously interviewed. I have been writing about the Deaf Community for more than a decade and yet I hardly ever meet Deaf people. Seeing them rather than just reading about them was so emotional.
In 2008 Dr Arun Mehta, a disability rights activist, was making a speech in Bengalaru. He was talking about technology for disabled people when he felt someone touching his throat. It was Zamir Dhale, a Deafblind boy who was trying to understand him by feeling his Adam's apple vibrating.
How can astronomy be made a deaf-friendly career path? How can we encourage deaf students into the subject?
Just imagine being a scientist who has to text or (if their colleague understands it) fingerspell every star, planet and comet they are discussing with hearing colleagues.
Perhaps because I live and breathe it, I can’t quite understand why there are still so many inaccurate perceptions about deafness and hearing loss?
Working from home… waking up late, sitting in your PJs, getting distracted – these are all quite common scenarios for those who may not be used to adapting to the home working life. Just a few tips and changes here and there, and you’ll be surprised how it improves your productivity and motivation to get jobs done!
