London Deaf Learners
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students and Graduates!
Read below to see what people said about the last event;
START OF EVENT NEWS FROM FEBRUARY 2012;
Introduction: There are three keys to career and life success for deaf people; Personal growth, opportunities for learning and access to information, these equate to
success. Take one of these away and Deaf Learners face obstacles, take
two or more away – we have barriers to success. With hindsight, we now
understand that a lack of awareness from service providers coupled with
low self esteem from Deaf Learners has had a significant impact on
aspirations, momentum and social mobility within the Deaf community.
This legacy means generations of talented, skilled and often overly
qualified Deaf Learners have not been satisfied at work, have been held
back from reaching their potential and have limited opportunities for
career progression. The result is Deaf Learners giving up on work,
becoming a perpetual student or being reliant on the benefit system.
This negative cycle of behaviour by Deaf Learners has become a self
fulfilling prophecy – ultimately it ruins lives, does not contribute to
the health or economic well-being of the individual or the wider
community.
Deaf learners launch – a big hit!
“Deaf Learners is an important initiative to give support and resources that
Deaf Learners need in order to be able to succeed. We urge all
stakeholders, education providers, student services and organisations
wanting to provide or work with Deaf Learners to make use of this
important resource” Abdi Gas – CEO Deaf Unity
Deaf Unity’s Deaf Learners launch event at University College London on
Friday 24th February 2012 was packed with Deaf and hard of hearing
students, graduate and professionals all eager to see how Deaf Learners
can make an impact on their lives, careers and ability to change how
Deaf learners are perceived.
Breish Rowe a Deaf graduate and current chair of the Deaf Professionals
Network took us through her journey from student days to a successful
career, overcoming, barriers and attitudes, an excellent role model for
us all.
Rob Holland from National Union of Students talked about the impact of the
Disabled Students campaign and the in roads it is making to improve deaf
students lives and making the university experience accessible,
providing opportunities to gain critical skills and experiences to
assist Deaf Learners during and post studies.
Employment provider, Seetec explained how the work choice programme can
empower deaf students and graduates to find employment which reflects
their know,edge and skills.
And finally, Carina Schmoldt from Disability Rights UK gave a stimulating
closing talk on leadership. Carina summed up the event by making a call
for all Deaf Learners to take advantage of the leadership training and personalised 1:1 coaching provided by Disability Rights UK, this is provided without charge to all Deaf Learners.
Following the keynote address their was ample opportunity to network for all delegates, speakers and our stall holders, highlighting the best of services for all Deaf Learners to take advantage of.
Deaf Learners received many positive comments from deaf students,
graduates and professionals agreeing that the day was invaluable,
highlighting key information and signposting them on to further learning
and career successes.
Below are few comments from Deaf Learners event:
“Excellent event” - Student & graduate service provider
“Very useful I learnt more about my rights” - Recent graduate
“It was very useful to encourage deaf students to do whatever they want to do to achieve their dreams - Speaker
“ Pleased to learn and understand how I can progress into uni and other work” – Student
“Really enjoyed all the presentations and discussions if there is any other
Deaf Unity event coming up soon I will definitely come and join” – Professional
“Very good to understand deaf student issues. Also good to see how to access work employment” - Professional
Since the launch we have seen a significant increase with registration on our Deaf Learners forum.
We would like to encourage all Deaf Learners to sign up, add resources and
start sharing. The Deaf Learners Forum is the one stop shop for all
deaf students, graduates and professionals seeking information, advice
and guidance to propel learning and careers. The forum is the result
of our vision to empower and give choices to Deaf Learners, with
knowledge their is power.
Help us to help you
We want to create a legacy which engages, cultivates and capitalizes on
the talent within the Deaf community. Deaf Unity empowers the Deaf
Learner and provides volunteering opportunities in the UK and overseas.
Deaf learners in turn help others to access resources, be a role model,
sharing valuable personal and professional experiences.
END OF EVENT NEWS
Below is the poster/flyer that was printed out to spread the word about the last event on the 24th of February 2012. These events are a great opportunity for Deaf and hard of hearing people in London!
Click to open a printable pdf of this poster
Abdi Gas, CEO of Deaf Unity and the Project Manager of the London Deaf Learners programme, has been appointed as a London Leader of 2011, under the London Sustainable Development Commission (LSDC)’s London Leaders programme, which is supported by the Mayor of London. This is in recognition of Deaf Unity and this project’s aim to meet the LDSC’s sustainable development priorities.
What do you think? What other opportunities/issues can you see? What about other countries? Deaf students and graduates, talk to us and explain what you really, really want? Also, who do you know of that we could interview about Deaf graduates and success, so we could put it up on our interviews section and get people talking?
Please leave your comment below, or Click Here to contact us.
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