Applause For ASL Interpreters Amid Pandemic

Sign Language interpreters have become an essential part of keeping Deaf/HoH informed during daily briefings about the COVID-19 pandemic.

OTTAWA -- Amid the daily Coronavirus (COVID-19) briefings by multiple levels of government across Canada, a new public service figure is stepping into the spotlight - the American Sign Language Interpreter.

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Kenneth Searson has watched the profession grow across the country for years now. The Ottawa retiree, who is Deaf, recalled being left out of certain meetings because of a lack of interpreters during his 36 years working for the government.

Today, the 83-year-old feels proud to see so many interpreters conveying vital information daily - including his daughter Brenda Jenkins, regularly seen translating Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's coronavirus briefings into American Sign Language (ASL).

The Accessible Canada Act,, new legislation enacted in 2019, states that "all persons must have barrier-free access to full and equal participation in society." It also recognizes that ASL, Quebec Sign Language and Indigenous Sign Languages are primary languages of communication for Deaf Communities.

Thanks to the act, passed last June, "we are now seeing the presence of more and more sign language interpreters throughout Canada," said Jenkins, who was raised with sign language.

"I am a Child of Deaf Adults. This is my community. So I'm thrilled to see that there is finally parity and access for our community."

With so many Canadians tuning in to every COVID-19 press conference, the sign language interpreters alongside municipal, provincial and federal officials have become familiar faces in many households... Read The Full Story on CBC News.

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Applause For ASL Interpreters Amid Pandemic

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Deaf Speaker Joanne Chester "Not Just Deaf"

TEDx Dun Laoghaire host the TEDx conference with Deaf activist and speaker Joanne Chester "Not just Deaf."

Activist, and speaker Joanne Chester is Deaf and an Irish Sign Language user. She is a Community Worker and Youth Worker with a passion for social justice. She featured in the “London Calling” documentary which was aired last May on RTE. In the light of the documentary, she campaigns for Access to Work in Ireland and for Deaf people to be included as equal citizens.

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She says “There are many potential rising stars from the Deaf community who yearn to strive in society but they face barriers daily due to inadequate access and deep-rooted prejudices. With a shift in attitude, we can create a better society for us all”. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Read more at TEDxDunLaoghaire.

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Deaf Brothers' Deaths Raise Isolation Concerns

Deaf rights campaigners plead for recognition to prevent more tragedies like death of Daniel and William McCarthy.

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Irish Examiner: The Irish Deaf Society said that, if given official status, Irish Sign Language would have to be used in State services and Deaf people would be less at risk of isolation.

Eddie Redmond, the society’s chief executive, said: “The Deaf community face huge barriers in accessing services due to the lack of services available through Irish Sign Language.

“Services such as social workers, home help, the HSE etc need to be more aware of the needs of Deaf people and the importance of communication and provision of information through ISL.”

Mr Redmond was speaking following the discovery of the bodies of semi-reclusive brothers, Daniel and William McCarthy, at their home in Dublin on Tuesday.

Originally from Kerry, the brothers, in their 70s, were Deaf with limited verbal communication, and lived together in a terraced home at the Millrose Estate in Bluebell, Dublin for many years.

Daniel is understood to have run the household and became carer for William in recent years. It is believed that he passed away several weeks ago and William was unable - or felt unable - to seek help.

Their remains were found by gardaí after a neighbour noticed Daniel’s car had not moved for some time and there had been no sign of either brother outside the house. Their deaths are expected to be referred to the coroner’s court for an inquest but foul play has been ruled out.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) declined to say if the brothers were in contact with any of its services in recent times or if it was reviewing any interactions they may have had.

A statement said: “The HSE cannot comment on individual cases but would like to offer sincere sympathy to the McCarthy family at this time.”

Groups working with older people urged people with concerns for their own well-being, or that of a neighbour, not to be afraid to knock on a door.

Alone said older people should be encouraged to approach their neighbours for help, while Age Action asked younger people not to worry about appearing nosy if they enquired after an older person in their community... Read More - Irish News.

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Irish Deaf Archives: 3 Deaf Prostitutes

Irish Deaf Archives: Documentary Film - 3 Deaf Prostitutes.

A story about the research in Deaf history of Ireland about the 3 women Mary Anne Canavan, Mary Anne Dogherty and Agnes Beedam, who were all prostitutes. Film by Mind the Gap Productions.

Two Dominican Sisters, Sr. M Vincent Martin OP, and Sr Magdalen O'Farrell, OP and their first pupils Agnes Beedam and Mary Anne Dogherty set sail for Le Bon Sauveur School for the Deaf in Caen, France. The school opens with fifteen pupils who are admitted to the 'Cottage Parlour', a room in a building owned by the Dominican Sisters in Cabra.

St Mary's School for Deaf Girls was founded in 1846 in the grounds of the Dominican Convent, Cabra, Dublin, the beginnings from the first two pupils, Agnes Beedam and Mary Anne Dogherty and is under the trusteeship of the Catholic Institute for the Deaf.

Hands On is the programme for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities in Ireland, presented in Irish Sign Language.

We have a strong team of presenters, Senan Dunne, is also an associate producer on the programme and works along with our regular presenters, Sarah Jane Moloney, Caroline Worthington, Eddie Redmond, Caroline Mc Grotty, Seán Herlihy, Alvean Jones, Julianne Gillen, and Teresa Lynch.

Hands On covers a broad range of issues relevant to the Deaf Community from Education, Health, Current Affairs, Sport, Equality and some investigative reporting.

Sources:
mindthegapfilms.com
youtube.com/HandsOn3
rte.ie/tv/handson

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