Minister praises efforts of local deaf community

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, today paid tribute to the work of the Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People (CACDP)

Speaking at their annual Communications Fair, Sir Reg said: “The efforts of the Council in raising awareness of issues affecting the deaf community in Northern Ireland are an example to us all. The support provided by the Council enables the deaf community to play a full part in the social and economic fabric of Northern Ireland. ”

The Fair aims to highlight the communication needs of deaf and deaf-blind people, and of the work of the Council. The annual event is open to everyone, whether deaf or hearing, student or teacher, or a member of the public.

Earlier this year the Minister announced that £1.3million funding had been secured in the Comprehensive Spending Review, enabling the Department for Employment and Learning to work with key stakeholders to improve access to training courses for interpreting students, who traditionally have had to travel to England to learn their craft. Deaf tutors who teach the language will also benefit from a programme of training in the higher levels of the language and relevant teaching qualifications and support. This training will form a foundation on which to build a longer- term strategy to increase the number of interpreters in Northern Ireland to a par with best practice levels in other parts of Europe.

Sir Reg added: “It is vital that this funding is utilised in the best possible way. With this in mind, my department will be liaising extensively with the Council and other key stakeholders in the deaf community in order to further enhance the provision of fully qualified Sign Language interpreters and tutors. Only in this way can we truly achieve our collective aims.”

Notes to Editors

:

1. CACDP is a UK recognised awarding body and registered charity whose aim is to improve communication between deaf and hearing people. It offers a portfolio of qualifications in sign language and other forms of communication with deaf and deaf-blind people
2. The Fair boasts a number of exhibitors including; SignTranslate, Equality Commission, RNID, Consumer Council, National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS), Northern Ireland Deaf Youth Association (NIDYA), PSNI, Disability Action, Hands that Talk, British Telecom (BT) and Belfast Metropolitan College.
3. Media enquiries to Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.