Club Speaker - Andrew Barnes Deafblind Charity UK

Mon, Jan 14th 2019 at 7:15 pm -

Club Speaker - Andrew Barnes giving an insight into the Deaf and Blind

Rotary Club of Birstall Luddites
Club Speaker - Andrew Barnes - Deafblind UK Charity.

On Mon 14th January Andrew came to Gomersal Park Hotel and gave a talk about the Charity Deafblind UK.
Andrew is the nephew of Luddite Rotarians Katherine and Paul.
A little history of Andrew and his bother Matthew :-
Matthew is Andrew's older brother and was diagnosed first with loss of hearing aged about 2, just before Andrew was born. Both were then diagnosed with the same genetic problem that causes moderate to severe hearing loss. Both have gone through school and university and their mother has done all she can to get them supported through their education. Andrew was more willing to accept any support available and has always had the vocation to help other sufferers of hearing loss in some capacity. He applied for the role of Engagement Officer for the charity Deafblind UK in June 2018. Because of his own experiences, he has a lot to offer to the role and he covers a substantial area, both raising awareness and giving advice.

It was hard for Luddites to realise that Andrew has sever hearing loss, he speaks and converses very confidently and he talked about how important it is that people make sure they expand their face and lips to help aid lipreading

The Deafblind Charity is a national charity supporting people with sight and hearing loss, enabling them to live the lives they want.
Andrew gave a short talk about the history of the Charity which was started in 1928 and in 1928 the Rainbow magazine was founded. In 1963 the Rainbow Centre was built in Peterborough .
Andrew talked about the Deafblind Charity and his role. This includes fund raising, organising events, grant evaluations, community outreach, info and advice line giving guidance to people living with sight and hearing loss, giving a wellbeing call for a "how are you" or a general chat.
Also a birthday call for isolated people and sending out tactile Christmas card and a free befriending service. Digital Inclusion shows how mobile phone or tablet can make a big difference to someone with sight and hearing loss. The charity has two caravans to provide a home from home break at heavily discounted rates. Andrew talked about the
"Open Hand Magazine"

The quarterly magazine is free of charge and available in a range of formats to suit all levels of accessibility: Large print, braille, audio, XL print and XXL print.

To give an insight into hearing and sight conditions Andrew passed around different spectacles that reproduced various symptoms -such as peripheral vision quity vision and ear phones to simulate deafness.

Above Andrew passing glasses that reproduce slight impairments to his Aunt Katherine. his Uncle Luddites secretary Paul on right with President Jeremy.

Paul gave a vote of thanks to Andrew for his talk and said how proud he was that his nephew had made such a success of his life and Charity work.

Above striped red white walking cane for deaf blind impairment users

LINKS Deafblind uk Charity

LINK - Deafdlind TWITTER

LINK - Cochlear Implant

LINK - What is Deafblindness

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Club Speaker - Andrew Barnes Deafblind Charity UK

Mon, Jan 14th 2019 at 7:15 pm -

Club Speaker - Andrew Barnes giving an insight into the Deaf and Blind

Contact Paul Barnes about this page:

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