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Calls for more support for Jersey's deaf community

BBC Carol smiles at the camera as she sits on a chair and on a table to the left of her is a table with books on British Sign Language and promotional art of Deaf Awareness WeekBBC
Carole Jordas runs sign language support groups in the island

Campaigners are calling for more support for Jersey’s deaf community during Deaf Awareness Week.

People have been learning about British Sign Language (BSL) and what they can do to help deaf people at Jersey Library.

It is estimated that about 13,000 islanders have a reported hearing impairment , and there are 24 deaf BSL users in the island.

Carole Jordas was born deaf and said it was “tough” growing up and she’d like to see more support made available in Jersey.

‘Support the deaf community’

Ms Jordas said things are “slowly getting better” but “little things” could make a big difference to the deaf community.

She added that when people get a letter from the hospital, they’re expected to call back if they can’t make the appointment but “deaf people can’t do that”.

“I would really love to see more people come to the deaf awareness events to see what they can do to support the deaf community”.

Ella smiles at the camera with a book on British Sign Language in front of her and behind her people are reading in the library
Ella Territt from Earsay charity has campaigned for more support in the island

Ella Territt is from the charity Earsay which helps children and young people who have hearing problems and is also deaf herself.

She said the week was important to spread “more awareness” because it is “difficult for us to access some support at the minute”.

“We do face barriers when it comes to booking things like doctor appointments,” Ms Territt added.

She also said support and awareness in the UK is "better than Jersey” and if the island learnt from that it could “help the deaf community do anything they wanted to”.

Steph looks at the camera with the library behind, to her right is a banner on Deaf Awareness Week
Disability Inclusion Officer Steph de la Cour was encouraged seeing people learn about BSL in Jersey

Disability inclusion officer Steph de la Cour helped run some of the sessions at Jersey Library and is also hearing impaired.

She said BSL “is really beautiful” and it had been “good to have people here learning more about it”.

“It’s great to see people doing more things and being more aware about the deaf community,” Ms de la Cour added.

“We still have a lot of places that rely on telephones, which affects me because if there’s background noise then I can’t hear the call”, she said.

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