President of the Harrow and Brent United Deaf Club Asif Iqbal MBE visited Brent Civic Centre last week to launch National Deaf Awareness Week (15 – 21 May).
During a meeting with the Mayor of Brent, Cllr Parvez Ahmed, Mei Sim Lai, OBE DL, Deputy Lieutenant of Brent and Dr Ethie Kong, Chair of Brent Clinical Commissioning Group, Asif explained how to communicate with a deaf person in BSL (British Sign Language) and taught a few signs.
As part of our commitment to providing inclusive and accessible services to residents, Brent Council will be working together with local deaf communities, Harrow and Brent United Deaf Club and other local organisations to sign the British Sign Language (BSL) Charter over the coming year.
Dr Ethie Kong, Chair of Brent Clinical Commissioning Group, said:
“I’m delighted to be involved in this year’s Deaf Awareness Week here in Brent. Being deaf shouldn’t be a barrier to playing a full and active role in our community. Around one in six people across the UK are affected by hearing loss in some way so to exclude them is a huge waste of talent and potential. I want to make sure that the NHS in Brent does everything it can to support every deaf person in the borough to live a full and active life.”
Asif Iqbal MBE, President of Harrow and Brent United Deaf Club said:
“I am pleased to see positive progress from working together, giving out a strong message about the Council and Health’s commitment to support deaf residents and ensuring they have access to wider services. I applaud the dedication and drive from the senior management of Brent Council and Brent Clinical Commissioning Group for wanting to make a difference and giving their full support in raising Deaf Awareness. Harrow & Brent United Deaf Club will work closely with them to ensure better access to services for our deaf residents.”
Find out more about our signing service, Sign Video BSL Live.
Further information on alternative ways of contacting the council is available at: www.brent.gov.uk/your-council/about-brent-council /customer-services/brent-customer-services We also offer translation, interpreting and alternative format services such as BSL interpreting upon request.
