Department for Transport launches ‘All Aboard’ Competition for students aged between 14-18 years old!

 

Department for Transport launches ‘All Aboard’ Competition for students aged between 14-18 years old!

Students are challenged to design audio and visual tools to improve travel for blind and deaf bus passengers

Department for Transport, today launched the ‘All Aboard’ competition!   The competition is part of the Government’s ‘Accessible Britain Challenge’ and challenges students aged between 14-18 years old to come up with alternative, innovative solutions to providing accessible information on buses to those with visual or hearing impairments. 

The proposals should look at the current barriers disabled people face, consider existing and emerging technological solutions, be innovative, cost effective and easy to install, and be designed for use on the bus itself.

The competition is open to individuals or a team of up to 5 students, and the winner receives a cash prize worth £1,000 and the chance to see their idea turned into a product! 

The deadline for entries is 13^th February 2015 – much more information including details on how to enter can be found on the Department for Transport website. 

Do you know teenagers in the Cambridgeshire area?

The Cambridge Hearing Impaired Team are seeking nominations for teens aged 14-18 for their second 'Deaf Teen of the Year' award. See details below

The results will be announced at the Moving On event on Friday 11^th October.

Last year's winner was PDDCS member, Chyanne. As the first ever winner of Cambridgeshire's 'Deaf Teen of the Year'  award Chyanne has set a high standard and we look forward to this year's event.

Deaf Teen Award of the Year 2013_final by Peterborough and District Deaf Children's Society

Moving On Event 2013

This week the date for the Moving On event 2013 has been announced for 11th October. PDDCS members have attended the last 3 years. It is a great young people's deaf day. Many networking opportunities alongside informative information stalls. A good follow on from the PDDCS Family Fun Day/Deaf Day.

If you would like to nominate some one for Cambridgeshire's deaf teen of the year - click here

Save the Date by Peterborough and District Deaf Children's Society

And Cambridgeshire's Deaf Teen of the Year Winner is....

Last Friday the superb annual Moving On event took place. This Connexions Event for deaf young people grows and improves every year. The goodies bags always go down a treat with everyone but the information available this year from the many exhibitors was outstanding. Cambridge Music also attended, giving many young people the opportunity to try a range of musical instruments.

To help the young people approach the exhibitors to ask questions, the organisers co-ordinate a quizsheet. At the end of the day, after handing in their completed sheets, the students also have the potential to win many different prizes, donated by the exhibitors. Many PDDCS members walked away with many nice treats.

This year the first ever 'Cambridgeshire's Deaf Teen of the Year' Award was introduced. And the winner was..... Our very own PDDCS member.... Chyanne Golding! 

The Citation in Full:

• She has been an inspiration to her mainstream peers as well as many children and adults (both deaf and hearing). 

• Chyanne attends a lot of events as well as agricultural college one day a week to help her towards her goal of going to Uni.

• Huge support to her peers, other students and her community.

• At College, she helps students, mostly adults with learning needs,

• Volunteers at her local deaf group and sells her art to raise money for it

• Provides deaf awareness training and openly speaks about her experiences

• Chyanne does not find her deafness a barrier to her success

A very deserving winner I am sure you will agree! Well done Chyanne - we are all very, very proud of you.

Moving On Event and Cambridgeshire Deaf Teen Award of the Year

The HIT (Hearing Impaired Teenagers) support group have confirmed the date (19th October) for this year's Moving On Event.

The event will host an array of services including Careers Advice, Financial support, Audiology, Deaf groups, education services plus much more.

This year will include the Cambridgeshire Deaf Teen Award of the Year.

For more information visit http://www.hitgroupcambridge.co.uk/

NDCS Who am I? Deaf teen and his family's stories

The NDCS Who am I project was a three-year project in Scotland. The aim was to support deaf young people, their parents and siblings through the testing and rewarding time of being a teenager. For parents of a deaf teenager there can be additional challenges. At a time when young people are finding their place in the world, coming to terms with being deaf can be a difficult process. This project was seen as the first of its kind in that it focused on deaf teenagers, offering advice direct from the peer group. Deaf young people wrote about who they are, about their lives and about their hopes and dreams. 

Below are just two of the stories from the 'Who am I' project: Arif's story and his family's story







Further associated resources can be accessed from the NDCS website.

Watch other young deaf people's stories via youtube ndcswebteam.

Or join the NDCS for free to access all their information on family support.

Teens! Ear Foundation Events

Date for a teenager diary

The Ear Foundation Teens events provide opportunities for cochlear implanted teenagers to get together, to build friendships and share their unique experiences with other teens.

These sessions take place on the following dates:
 13th October, 8th December

There is also a residential event taking place in Derby from 29th to 31st August 2012

If you wish to know more please contact Lorna Lord at the Ear Foundation on 0115 942 7809 or email lorna@earfoundation.org.uk

Female teenage actors wanted for a book trailer

Today Deaf-uk-jobs have advertised the following acting opportunities for a book trailer. The book has had many positive reviews for the deaf perspective on life as a teenager:

"2-minute book trailer for upcoming release of 'Whisper' by Chrissie Keighery.
Audition dates: February 21st and 28th, 2012
Shoot dates: March 12th - 16th, 2012                                                                      
Location: Bristol
Closing date: Monday 20th February 2012                                                              
Payment for work: Expenses Only
Please apply to melanie.jones09@bathspa.ac.uk with short introduction, a picture and which part you would like to audition for.
Synopsis:
Demi was 14 when she became ill with meningitis. The illness left her
profoundly deaf. This story is not just about what it would be like to lose your hearing and to live life in complete silence. It is about being caught in the middle of two worlds and not knowing where you fit in: the hearing world or the deaf world.
It is about finding your place and leaving behind assumptions, forgiving and moving forward and building confidence that has been shattered through illness and social conditioning.
It is also about standing up to prejudices within both communities and
fighting for what you believe in. It is about life as a teenager within two 'cultures': the 'hearies' and the deaf.
All minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.Payment details: expenses paid
*Applications to this casting call require:*
- A phone number
- A profile photo

The following parts need to be filled.
*Demi*
When she loses her hearing at 14, her life seems out of balance and she begins to feel isolated. She starts to have panic attacks, which she keeps secret, as she doesn’t want to seem any more weird than she already feels she is. She is initially ashamed to be deaf and thinks her new classmates to be weird. She is beautiful, intelligent and loves to swim. Role requires (preferably) a basic knowledge of British Sign Language (BSL) and ability to swim front crawl.
Females, aged 16 to 20 from United Kingdom
Height: 157 cm / 5ft 2in - 172 cm / 5ft 8in
Minimum Acting experience: No previous acting experience
Languages spoken:English
Dress Size: 6 -10

*STELLA*
Stella is a deaf girl born to 2 deaf parents and doesn't use lip reading when signing. She is convinced that ALL ‘hearies’ are out to oppress deaf people, that they are the enemy. She is uncomfortable being around anyone that can hear because of her beliefs. She has a punk/goth image, with heavy black eyeliner and spiky hair. Demi is initially intimidated by Stella, but they start a friendship in which each of them are in fact challenged and grow. Role requires advanced knowledge of BSL.
Females, aged 16 to 20 from United Kingdom
Height: 147 cm / 4ft 10in - 165 cm / 5ft 5in
Minimum Acting experience: No previous acting experience
Dress Size: 8 - 12

*KEISHA*
Keisha’s deaf name is Chatter. She is talkative, expressive and outgoing.
Keisha works in a café when she’s at home. She loves it as it gives her a sense of worth within the community, and stops her from feeling isolated, especially as her mother works two jobs and does not sign. Keisha is totally at ease with being deaf. Role requires advanced knowledge of BSL.
Females, aged 16 to 20 from United Kingdom
Minimum Acting experience: No previous acting experience

*ERICA*
Erica has a cochlear implant. Initially Demi finds her weird, particularly because Erica speaks with a robotic sounding voice because of the CI. Erica and Keisha are good friends and Erica is the first one to introduce herself and welcome Demi to the deaf school. She is warm and friendly. (the role requires knowledge of BSL )
Females, aged 16 to 20 from United Kingdom
Minimum Acting experience: No previous acting experience"

Deaf Teens: Hearing World BBC3 Monday 6th Feb

Deaf Teens: Hearing World
This documentary, by director Claire Braden, has been described as "insightful".

It's about five deaf teenagers who they take their first steps into the hearing world. "It follows some extraordinary young people who have some extreme and surprising attitudes towards their deafness."
Watch it!
Form your opinions.
Compare with your experiences.
For full programme content click here

UPDATE - Watch the show here