Deaf Awareness Week starts today (Monday) and runs until Sunday, May 10.

Normally, events would be taking place around the country, drawing attention to issues affecting the deaf.

But because of the Covid-19 pandemic this year’s campaign will be online, with the theme “Acquired Deafness.”

Deaf Awareness Week is an annual event. Promoted by the UK Council on Deafness, it helps charities and organisations raise awareness of deafness and hearing loss.

Throughout the week the online campaign aims to improve access to education, health, social care and employment. Ensuring people have the information they need and informing them about hearing loss is also high on the list.

The online campaign will also raise awareness about preventing hearing loss and improving services for people who are deaf. This includes British Sign Language.

More information is available from the Deaf Awareness Week website.

The UK Council on Deafness was founded in 1993. It is the national umbrella organisation for charities and professional bodies working in the field of deafness.

It co-ordinates Deaf Awareness Week which involves a UK-wide series of national and local events. These raise awareness of the needs of the one in six deaf or hard of hearing people in the UK.  

Deaf Awareness Week aims to raise awareness of the huge range of local organisations supporting deaf people and their family and friends.