Increasing Deaf awareness

"Delegates felt that important issues had been raised and that we needed to build on the momentum of the seminar to move things forward."

DPPi Information Officer, Becki Josiah, reports on a Deaf parenting seminar held in London, and on a new CD-ROM for parents of Deaf children.

A new book Pregnancy and birth, a guide for deaf women, launched at the seminar, is reviewed by Zita Killick, Senior Lecturer, Department of Public and Family Health, Anglia Polytechnic University, UK.

Deaf parenting seminar

On 26 May, the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) held a Deaf parenting seminar, in collaboration with the Deaf Parenting Project and London Ethnic Minorities Deaf Association (LEMDA).

The aim of the seminar was to inform, educate and raise awareness of Deaf parenting issues. It included keynote speeches, presentations, workshops and the launch of a new book on pregnancy for Deaf women (see review opposite). Delegates came from many backgrounds and included Deaf parents, midwives and social workers.

The day was co-chaired by Susan Daniels, Chief Executive of the National Deaf Children's Society and Laraine Callow, Director of Deafworks. Both Susan and Laraine are Deaf mothers.

Sabina Iqbal gave a presentation on gaps in services for Deaf parents, Becki Josiah gave an overview of Deaf-related enquiries to the information service and Jayne Nabbaro gave a moving talk called `Windows to our Deaf children'. Workshops were held on subjects as diverse as baby signing and increasing Deaf awareness within professional organisations. Issues facing Deaf parents from minority ethnic backgrounds were explored, as were options for parenting education. There was a small, but useful exhibition with representatives from the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society, the Family Rights Group and the Royal Association for Deaf People.

It was clear from the level of feedback that both parents and professionals wanted more such events. Delegates felt that important issues had been raised and that we needed to build on the momentum of the seminar to move things forward. Ideas for future work include: developing links with, and raising awareness among midwives, midwifery training bodies and other health service professionals; doing more work with young Deaf people; and developing workshops and information on child development for Deaf parents.

New resource: Parenting a deaf child

The National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) has published a CD-ROM for parents of Deaf children. Called Parenting a deaf child, it includes parenting tips, coping strategies and information links.

The CD-ROM includes the views and experiences of Deaf and hearing parents and is fully signed and subtitled. Its interactive format means that it can be dipped into and revisited as issues arise. This resource will be of interest to any parent of a Deaf child and the professionals supporting them. The aim of NDCS is to produce balanced, objective information for parents of Deaf children: Parenting a deaf child achieves this aim and is a positive and helpful resource.

The CD-ROM is free. It can be ordered via the NDCS helpline or website. Helpline: 0808 800 8880

Pregnancy and birth — a guide for deaf women

Price: £14.99 Available from all good bookstores or from Forest Books. Tel (voice/Minicom): 01594 833 858 E-mail: forest@forestbooks.com Also from RNID and NCT Maternity Sales Tel: 0870 112 1120

This book was written by Sabina Iqbal, who is Deaf, following her research into Deaf parents' experiences of childbirth.

It is aimed primarily at Deaf women whose first or preferred language is British Sign Language (BSL) and other Deaf, deafened or hard of hearing women, and is written in clear English. Partners, families and friends of the women would also find the book useful, as would professionals working with these women.

I have to declare my special interest in this book, as over the last year I have been one of the advisory panel commenting on it! The panel included both Deaf and hearing people from varying specialist backgrounds to ensure that information given was appropriate and up-to-date.

In A4 format, the layout is clear and easy to follow, with a variety of photographs, diagrams and captions in each of the 21 chapters to raise and maintain interest. A glossary of medical terms is included as well as many references to websites, literature and useful organisations. The topics covered range from planning for a baby, through pregnancy, birth and afterwards, including care for mother, baby and father. Some advice on maternity and paternity rights for working parents and legislation such as the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 is given, which is relevant to parents and professionals.

Several stories by mothers and fathers are included in the book. I recommend that all midwives and other health professionals read these, as well as the chapter on advice for better communication, in order to see where improvements in service provision are needed but also to see where care was planned well with some parents.

It is important that all health and social care professionals are Deaf aware and are able to communicate effectively with childbearing women. Sabina's book is an aid to improving provision of information to Deaf women as well as highlighting areas that professionals need to understand, especially as the provisions of the DDA come into full force in October this year. A large amount of useful information is provided for the modest cost of £14.99. I will be recommending this book to the midwives and students I work with.

Zita Killick

The following comments on the book are from Deaf mothers:

"I thought the book was really friendly and made me feel confident with lots of information. It would have helped me to have this book when I had my first pregnancy."

"I like the pictures in the book but would like a video to go with it. For example a video with BSL interpretation for each chapter of the book. That way I can watch it and my family can watch it too. I think all Deaf mothers who are pregnant should be given this book. This book is the only way to get full information."

"Bit difficult to read. I have English as third language after Punjabi then BSL. But my friends can explain to me through the book if I don't understand as they have English as second language."

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