Minister Devins Addresses Launch Of Irish Sign Language Awareness Week, Ireland

Main Category: Hearing / Deafness
Article Date: 25 Sep 2007 - 20:00 PDT

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Dr. Jimmy Devins, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, addressed the Irish Deaf Society's launch of the Irish Sign Language awareness week.

Speaking at the event Minister Devins acknowledged the significance of this event saying, "Irish Sign Language Awareness Week, which is coinciding with the World Federation of the Deaf World's Deaf Week, is a tremendous vehicle for raising public awareness of the deaf community's culture and language, which, it must be acknowledged, is a major factor in continuing the integration of the deaf community into the wider society in this country. It is wonderful to see such a wide variety of events organised for the week, which I am sure will be educational, informative and great fun.

I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the Irish Deaf Society for the tremendous services provided to, and on behalf of, the deaf community in this country. It is important to acknowledge this work as many people within the deaf community would not lead a life as independent as they are living without the help of the society."

The Irish Deaf Society was set up in 1981 to lobby for the rights of deaf people at all levels of society. It strives to highlight the societal needs of the deaf community by providing a number of high quality services.

One of the main aims of the Irish Deaf Society is to educate the public on the significance of Irish Sign Language.

In the last few years the Irish Deaf Society has worked with Government on a number of initiatives to promote the Irish Sign Language.

http://www.dohc.ie/

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