Olusegun Babatunde says:

“YouMeSign is a unique product that allows Deaf and hearing people to communicate.  For years I have experienced many communication barriers and on completion of my graphic design degree decided to take action on this. I have combined all my expertise as a graphic designer and my experience as a Deaf person to develop my products”.

“YouMeSign products are unique to the market and they are colourful, artistic, exciting and easy to use.  Our main aim is to improve Deaf people’s access to all public services i.e. libraries, public houses, cinemas, hospitals, schools, police stations, universities, receptions, bus station areas and fire services as well as airports, cabs and taxis through the use of animation. This is to encourage hearing people to use some basic British Sign Language (BSL) skills”.

“YouMeSign products can be produced in many formats such as posters, banners which can be produced in A2 and laminated. We can also supply mouse mats in A3 and A4 and jigsaws, which are useful for children.  The products are used in situ and provide an easy reference for hearing people when trying to communicate with Deaf people.  All these are useful tools for when language learning and can assist the acquisition of BSL vocabulary. Our products can be tailored to your exact needs, using our bespoke service where we can create a product that totally meets your needs”.

Olusegun adds: “Being Deaf can create many barriers within society. Our products help overcome some of those initial barriers around communication and are simple to use. It also means you can efficiently deal with your BSL customers and give them an equal service. A bespoke product would include all the BSL vocabulary you need to make that first impression much more satisfying.  Front line staff would have immediate access to a basic vocabulary reference product to enable them to signpost their customers. Our products can be produced with your organisation/company logo and also be developed with your business in mind. We will work closely with you to guarantee the product meets your needs. The products are offered in a colour of your choice and your personal font.  Please feel free to view my website for more information about the products I offer. I have recently added some new animations that you may be interested in. Hopefully you can use this sample to learn a bit of BSL yourself too!  I look forward to hearing from you”.

Olusegun Babatunde
Email: segun@youmesign.co.uk
Website: www.youmesign.co.uk

Leeds is still recruiting for volunteers to help support the Olympic Torch Relay as it makes its way through Leeds in June. If you are interested in volunteering as a Torch Ambassador and are available at any of the dates and times below, please contact: steve.crocker@leeds.gov.ok

• Tuesday 19th June 10.00 am – 1.30 pm, Boston Spa, Wetherbyand Harewood

• Sunday 24th June  4.30 pm – 8.00 pm Headingley, Harehills and Richmond Hill

• Monday 25th June. 6.45 am – 9.30 am Leeds city centre, Hunslet, Beeston and Morley

Rob Young, Chief Executive of coHearentVision says: “this is a great opportunity to become actively involved with the Olympics in our great city and we are actively encouraging people with a sight or hearing loss to volunteer”.

coHearentVision Logo, Click here to find our how you can donate money to coHearentVision

coHearentVision fully supports the work being done by our 3rd Sector Colleagues at Action on Hearing Loss, click this link to take the simple hearing Test.

“coHearentVision fully supports the great work going on over at the Doncaster College for the Deaf, have a read of the information below and see just what fantastic work they do”

We would like to inform you of two things this month from the COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST COLLEGE in Doncaster (also known as Doncaster College for the Deaf).

The last OPEN DAY for this academic year is on Wednesday 9^th May 2012.

The day is for potential learners, their parents or carers and for yourself, to see first hand our individualised learning environment which offers a unique approach to learners who have Deafness/ hearing impairment and/or specific communication and language needs. We cater for all abilities and learning styles, offering a range of programmes to suit every ambition.

Simply complete the form at http://www.deaf-trust.co.uk/college/open-day and we will send you full details of the day. Alternatively, if you wish to speak to one of our staff in person, please call Julie Wright on 01302 386 700 ext 236.

New Interactive prospectus with course information

We have developed an interactive prospectus using some of the latest technology available, it includes links to full course information, the many benefits for learners to study here and can be found by selecting http://www.cscprospectus.co.uk

Please save this link in your internet favourites box, so as we update the prospectus you will also get the new information straight away.

We look forward to hopefully seeing you on the 9^th May.

Yours faithfully

Alan Robinson

Alan Robinson

Executive Principal

Deaf Awareness week!

Deaf Awareness Week is an annual event aiming to raise awareness and understanding of the issues surrounding hearing loss and deafness.  Supported by over 100 deaf charities, Deaf Awareness Week is promoted across the UK with a number of events, all with the aim of educating and informing. coHearentVision’s Sign language Interpreting Service visited Schools across Leeds to inform the young Deaf people of Leeds how they could access the interpreting service and their right to an interpreter in accordance with the Equality Act.

Sonia Moorhouse MRSLI said “Its really great to be able to get out into the community and tell the future generation of Deaf service users about the communication support we can provide for them”.

Did you Know….

• There are approximately 70,000 people in Britain who use British Sign Language as their first language.
• 840 babies are born every year with impaired hearing in both ears. The vast majority of these are born to hearing parents. Around half of those children with a permanent deafness have inherited it from one or both of their parents.
• British Sign Language was first recognised as an official Language in 2003.
• A lot of people dont realise that BSL like spoken English also has regional accents in the form of alternative signs.
• Each county has its own Sign Language, E.g American Sign Language (ASL), German Sign Language (DGS).
• Sign language is the 5^th most widely used language in the UK.
• There are 5,000 signs in British Sign Language, but they can be combined to produce infinite variations.
• Facial expressions are equally as important as hand movements in British Sign Language.

Where Can I Learn British Sign Language? (BSL)

If you would like to learn BSL why not visit VISCOM’s website . VISCOM is one of coHearentVision’s preferred partners and has over 20 years experience in teaching and assessing various BSL courses. Click on the BSL Alphabet links below to get you started!!

coHearentVision is proud to have supported its former Senior BSL tutor in his first full academic year where his students have achieved a 90% pass rate. David Fowler says “its been a fantastically successful year working with coHearentVision with 123 students on courses ranging from Beginners to Advanced BSL ( Level 6)”.

BSL Alphabet, Right Handed
BSL Alphabet, Left Handed

Sensory Awareness Courses

coHearentVison also offers Sensory Awareness Courses, our aim is to raise a greater understanding of what it is like to have a sensory loss, leading to a more inclusive society.

10 BSL Signs for Medical Staff

We know many Deaf people have a difficult time in hospital because members of staff, through no fault of their own, are unable to communicate with them. Deaf people often don’t know what their medication is for, what food they are ordering or when they are being discharged. This video contains the ten most useful signs to know for medical staff, it will take 10 minutes to learn and you will make the experience of Deaf patients more positive in the future.

An important point

Deaf people will really appreciate you trying to communicate however it is important to realise that you will still require a Sign Language Interpreter when more complicated information is being discussed, especially when you are getting information from a patient.

There are many Interpreters available in Leeds, they can be booked in advance and on a rare occasion can be requested at the last minute.

So our message is, enjoy BSL, learn it, use it, but when necessary please use an interpreter.

Kenton Robbins, Chair of coHearentVision, says: “Whilst all the Directors/Trustee’s have contributed our Vice Chair, Mike Gerwat, has done a great job in getting this critical piece of work implemented.  With 50% of the Board having a Deaf or Blind impairment, it is yet another example of our commitment to sensory impaired people making a genuine contribution to the operational direction, ethos and charitable objectives of our organisation”.

Rob Young, Chief Executive of coHearentVision, says: “I am particularly pleased that every Director/Trustee has been involved in this process and has each contributed personally to the formulation of the final version.  We are also grateful for the contribution of past trustees who contributed to the drafting process, during which we consulted widely with interested parties.  We now have a modern governance platform, which I can refer to on a daily basis, to keep our activities on track and totally inline with our charitable Objects”.  “The new document is available at our website and I am sure will be of benefit to beneficaries and stakeholders alike, in helping to clarify who we are and what we do in the”future“.

The Chief Executive reiterated the Vice Chair’s comments regarding the subject of “membership” and drew attention to statistics for the period 2007-2012 which can be found under ‘Any Other Business’ of the Minutes of the AGM.  He also said: “Disappointingly, during the combined subscription period 2009-2011, the Society had only three Deaf Members (two of these being Directors/Trustee’s and the other person was a member of staff who was also a service-user).  During the final ‘subscription year’ (2011-2012), despite reminders being sent to all existing Members (and membership being freely available to all); the only four (4) applications received for Membership were from the current Directors (Mike Gerwat (DeafBlind), Steve Goulding (Blind), Kenton Robbins and Andy Preston) and these had all been granted”.

The revised Memorandum and Articles of Association were adopted unanimously by the Members/Directors/Trustee’s at an AGM held on 18th April 2012. The document is readily accessible to everyone by clicking on the word “Memorandum”.  The Minutes of the AGM are also readily accessible to everyone by clicking on the word “Minutes“.  Copies of both these documents have been lodged with The Charity Commission for England and Whales.

The statistics from the survey will be used by a group of organisations who support deaf people to represent the needs of BSL users who use healthcare services including: ASLI (Association of Sign Language Interpreters), NRCPD (National Registers of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People), BDA (British Deaf Association), Signature, and the British Society for Mental Health and Deafness (BSMHD).

Here’s something you never hear: “He’s a deaf rapper.”

That’s how Marko Vuoriheimo (a.k.a Signmark) is often introduced, not that he can hear the description. Most of us associate music with our earsm but not long after he was born deaf in 1978, Signmark recalls feeling music.

Growing up in Helsinki, he “translated” Christmas carols into sign language so that the entire family (his parents are deaf, his grandparents are not) could perform together — a bilingual affair uniting singing with signing.

Somewhat improbably, Signmark then discovered hip hop.

Fast forward a couple of decades and he is now a deaf rapper. This isn’t just a hobby or unusual self-identity. Signmark has a global following and a record deal with Warner Music. On Friday, you can see and hear him perform in Toronto.

Here at coHearentVision we support any Deaf individual that overcomes the barriers that sometimes surround some most Deaf people, if you would like to read the Full Interview click here!!

President Obama surprises Deaf student by signing to him

US President Barack Obama has surprised a Deaf member of the public by signing back at him.

The exchange happened during a college event in Maryland when a Deaf student named Stephon signed “I’m proud of you” to Mr Obama as he passed by shaking hands with people.

The president used American Sign Language to sign back “thank you” which was met with cheers from the crowd.

Click here to see the full story and Video