So much has happened with the #SubtitledCinema campaign this year... starting from my petition which has now reached over 13,000 signatures to media coverage, viral tweets and presentations to Industry leaders. Check out my blog (link in bio) with EVERYTHING you need to know about the campaign and what’s been happening in the media - it’s AMAZING how much has been done and I hope cinemas start to take notice that it’s not just me as an individual who wants this change, it’s millions of deaf and hard of hearing people too...
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We’ve still got a long way to go as the cinemas are still refusing to bring the increase that we want... we’re only asking for at least one subtitled showing of each film per week, in peak times, or a dedicated screen for subtitled showings. There’s only a tiny increase being implemented at the moment, but it’s not enough to bring deaf people back to the cinema, especially with minimal advertising from the cinema chains themselves - meaning deaf people aren’t aware there’s even an increase. I can’t do all the work to bring deaf people back, it has to come from the cinemas themselves.
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I would love to be able to go to the cinema on a regular basis with family and friends to see the latest new release, is it fair that I still have to miss out?
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Please help me spread the word and work with the cinemas to bring about positive change. It’s a business opportunity cinemas are missing out on!
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Check out my blog (link in bio) for ways you can get involved too!
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#SubtitledCinema #Cinema #Captions #Subtitles #Campaign #Deaf #Deafness #HearingLoss #Deafandproud #equality #access #accessibility #subtitleit #subsincinemas
Throwback to volunteering at Srijana Deaf School in Nepal... one of the best life experiences!
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I loved spending time with the children, doing activities like this painting workshop and learning Nepali Sign Language! There’s a lovely warm feeling of giving back to the community which to see their smiles makes it all worthwhile.
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I adored how proud all the deaf children were of their culture, beautifully expressing their sign language whilst communicating with each other in an awe-inspiring way.
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It also hit home when I saw the pure joy on their faces when we gifted them simple things like toys, sports and arts equipment to them is a gift they’d never dream of... something which we take for granted and made me very grateful for the life I have.
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I’m definitely up for doing something like this again... when and where, who knows!
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I totally recommend doing these experiences and checking out organisations like @wearevoluntears who run incredible trips for deaf people or people who wish to help out in the deaf community. These trips are a great way of seeing the world, making new friends who you’ll keep in touch with and memories to treasure for years to come! (not an ad!)
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#volunteering #volunteeringoverseas #wearevoluntears #voluntears #nepal #deaf #srijanadeafschool #pokhara #deafness #deafiscool #deafawareness #hearinglosswontstopme #deafandproud #lifeison
Can deaf people drive? Of course they can! 🚘
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One of the biggest misconceptions is that you need to be able to hear to drive a car... not true! It’s all about the vibrations, visuals and being alert! Deaf people often tend to have a quicker reaction time as they rely more on their stronger sense; their eyes!
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I love driving! It gives me independence, something which is quite hard to find in this inaccessible society we live in. Having the freedom to travel where I want, when I want is amazing! Plus, not having to rely on my parents to cart me around everywhere!
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There’s ways round the obstacles faced with driving like having accessible lessons with a deaf aware instructor, with allowances made in driving exams... to fitting a lipreading mirror in your car to read your passenger’s lips (swipe for photo), to being prepared in an emergency with text SMS and accessible breakdown cover. Always be visually alert, checking your mirrors, thats how you pick up the emergency sirens! For people honking... it doesn’t matter, they’re usually ignorant!
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My motto: “Deaf people can do anything they dream of, don’t let their deafness stand in their way!” so if you’re thinking of taking your test, there’s no stopping you!
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I’ve written lots of blogs about #driving with #deafness , running a car and how to tackle the driving test! Links in bio
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#deaf #hearingloss #deafness #driving #drive #learningtodrive #hearinglosswontstopme #deafandproud #deafiscool #independent #deafawareness #misconceptions
Today’s topic is one quite personal to my family and I, one which needs to be talked about more... that is Mental Health. It’s reported that 1 in 4 of us experience mental health issues, but that’s just generally, I believe it could even be higher in the deaf community.
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Living with deafness is challenging, constantly facing barriers on a daily basis, battling feelings of frustration, isolation, inequality, anger and so on.
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A person might feel anxious, stressed or low, but might not know why. Left untreated, these feelings can sometimes escalate out of control.
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The two most important steps for improving mental health are;
acceptance and asking for help.
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Whether we are deaf, disabled or able bodied, nobody has to justify why they feel this way. We are only human. Our mind is the most complex organ, sometimes it needs help like any other part of our body.
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If anyone reading this feels they need to reach out, there are people you can talk to, whether a friend, family member or an organisation:
@giveusashoutinsta
@signhealth
@mindcharity
@samaritanscharity
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Please do not suffer in silence, reach out, talk to someone and share the load. It will get better. It’s ok not to be ok.
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Please share my blog, link in bio
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#worldsmentalhealthday #mentalhealth #deafness #deafnessmentalhealth #deaf #hearingloss #awareness #itsokaynottobeokay #mentalhealthawareness
“Throughout my life, I’ve only been able to go to the cinema a few times due to the lack of subtitled showings, sadly I’ve grown up accepting that this activity is not open to me or my deaf peers. It always broke my heart knowing my friends and family watched the latest blockbuster without me. Through my blogging, I reached out to others with similar views. One day I said enough is enough. Then began by #SubtitledCinema campaign.”
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“When watching a film, hearing cinema goers like the soundtrack, deaf people need the written word - open captions. Hearing customers would not accept a film without sound, so why can’t Deaf people have more choice of subtitled showings?”
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“There is no ‘monitoring’ that disabled ramps are being regularly used, to prevent them from being removed, so why do we have to justify that it’s cost effective?”
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“Whilst it’s lovely to have luxurious seats, a choice of refreshments or the opportunity of buying annual memberships, it’s pretty pointless if we can’t watch a film. It’s fair to say that the majority of cinema goers are more than catered for, deaf people would like the same opportunities”
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“Captions are becoming more and more acceptable, they are everywhere. Changing the perception of subtitles won’t happen overnight, but it can start today.”
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🔺Quotes from my presentation about my campaign at the @independentcinemaoffice Inclusion Screening Day in front of film producers and independent cinemas. I hope this helps it to progress further. Thank you to @matchbox_cineclub for the incredible opportunity. 🔺
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Read my blog to find out how you can get involved!
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📸 Photo credits: 📸
Maria from @sheffdocfest
Matchbox Cineclub
Film Hub North
MemphisMidnight
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#Deaf #HearingLoss #Campaign #Deafness #Cinema #Accessibility #Access #Subtitles #Subsincinemas #hearinglosswontstopme #deafandproud #presentation #screeningdays #disability
Over 5% of the World’s population have some form of hearing loss - that’s 466 million people and I’m one of them. Born with a profound hearing loss, I’ve been grateful for many incredible experiences in my life, but with disability comes adversity and challenges that we have to battle on a daily basis.
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This week it’s International Week of the Deaf, raising awareness of deaf human rights and sign language on a global scale. The WFD ‘strives to promote the human rights of deaf people and highlight topics that merit attention.’
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Through blogging, I’m passionate about deaf rights and continuously fight for accessible services, especially with my #SubtitledCinema campaign. At times it feels like I’m banging my head against a brick wall not getting anywhere, being faced with industry leaders that reduce you to tears when all you’re pleading for, is the right to access a service which hearing people take for granted. I will not give up, I will carry on bringing about positive change to ensure the next deaf generation don’t have to experience what I’ve been through. All we can do is continue raising deaf awareness and inspiring others to do the same, to help make the world a better place. As always, my motto: ‘Deaf people can achieve anything they dream of, given the right support. Don’t let anything stand in the way of achieving their goals.’
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Stats according to @who and World Federation of the Deaf
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#internationalweekofthedeaf #internationaldayofsignlanguages #deaf #deafness #hearingloss #hearinglosswontstopme #deafiscool #deafandproud #hearingaids
