Award nomination round-up

23-12-2021

News

Gold trophy on blue background, surrounded by gold stars
We are extremely grateful to have been nominated for awards for our work throughout the year. We're ending the year by reflecting on just some of the things we've achieved this year. Through our campaigning work and dedication to supporting our community, we've been honoured to have been nominated for a number of awards. Award nominations and commendations Philip Gerrard ...

How to beat ‘Dinner Table Syndrome’ this Christmas

21-12-2021

News

A table with plates, glasses, food and candles with three people standing in the background talking
Christmas is just days away. It’s a time to gather around the dinner table and share stories from the past year, but it’s often dreaded by deaf and hard of hearing people. ‘Dinner table syndrome’ is a term used by deaf people as they are perpetually left out of conversations that are had at the table. Around 90% of deaf ...

AGM 2021

16-12-2021

News

Missed the AGM earlier this month? You can watch it in full below. Our new vision, mission, values and social aims were revealed and we recapped all the wonderful achievements from the last year here at Deaf Action. Our new mission, vision, values and aims are designed to reflect the work that we are doing and to help us to ...

The ‘Rose effect’: How long will it last?

08-12-2021

News

Rose Ayling Ellis on Strictly Come Dancing
Our Project Coordinator, Tomas, has noticed a sharp increase in people asking about deaf people and their culture ever since deaf actress Rose Ayling-Ellis appeared as the first deaf contestant on Strictly Come Dancing. She has quickly become a role model, challenging stereotypical norms surrounding deaf people and music. Teaching the nation more about deaf culture has been at the ...

Virtual balloon race

07-12-2021

News

Coloured balloons in sky
Our festive virtual balloon race is fun for everyone! Get competitive with your friends, family and colleagues, whilst raising money for Deaf Action. Help support our vital services by taking part in our festive virtual balloon race by buying a balloon for £3. How does it work? Buy your balloon before noon on the 15th of December. The balloons launch on ...

NHS Scotland approves use of clear masks

01-12-2021

Clear Masks

Boy wearing clear facemask

Celebrating clear masks from NHS Scotland Whilst masks are important for helping to control the spread of Coronavirus, they can create communication barriers for deaf people, especially for those who rely on lipreading and facial expressions to communicate. Everyday interactions with people wearing fabric or surgical masks become difficult if not impossible for many, with exclusion being experienced in clinical …

Christmas lights switch on at St James Quarter

17-11-2021

News

three children pressing button to switch on christmas lights
An enchanting evening of fundraising and Christmas cheer On Friday 12th November, we delivered some much-needed Christmas cheer at St James Quarter, with their first Christmas light switch on. The enchanting evening took saw Deaf Action’s BSL Choir and Youth Club, alongside Cash 4 Kids, hit the big red button to officially bring Christmas to Edinburgh. Our very own signing ...

Rose Ayling-Ellis’s dance ‘for the deaf community’

15-11-2021

News

Rose Ayling Ellis
The power of silence Rose Ayling-Ellis’s performances on Strictly Come Dancing over recent weeks have been incredible to watch and it’s been even more incredible to see the impact her presence is having towards creating a more inclusive community. Rose’s latest performance on Saturday 13th November included 16 seconds of silence, which stunned audiences and has gone on to significantly ...

Meet the interpreter – Shaurna Dickson

09-11-2021

News

Meet Shaurna. She's been a registered interpreter for over 20 years and currently manages Deaf Action's Communication and Interpreting Agency. Shaurna has a wealth of experience in various interpreting scenarios, ranging from GP appointments to job interviews to interpreting at the Scottish Parliament. During the pandemic, most of Shaurna's work shifted online, using Zoom and Microsoft Teams. She is delighted ...

Building restoration

21-10-2021

News

Click for BSL video At Deaf Action, we are busy making preparations for our AGM in November, so it feels like a great time to share some exciting news about our plans for our headquarters in Edinburgh. A long history on Albany Street Albany Street has been our home since 1889. The building is more than a place of business, ...