Disability

Deaf Awareness Week 5 - 11 May

Children in the Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield area will have the chance to learn some sign language in a fun and interactive way this week. Staff from Adult Care Service Sensory Services will be visiting primary schools in the area as part of a series of events to promote Deaf Awareness Week.

The team have also worked with local police officers and PCSOs to arrange visits to deaf clubs and drop in sessions around the county. The Hertfordshire Constabulary have dedicated volunteer link officers for the deaf and deafblind who have undertaken recognised training and are a point of contact for members of the community. These officers can be contacted by email and their addresses are listed below.

A new emergency text number has also been launched by Herts police so that profoundly deaf people can contact services in an emergency. The text messaging/SMS number is 07786 207 091 and details of how to use the service are provided in a leaflet available from Herts police, their website or the Communication Support Unit. The initiative is aimed at improving direct access to police/emergency services and has been introduced following consultation with the Hertfordshire Hearing Advisory Service and the Communication Support Unit at Hertfordshire County Council.

Full details of events, which include a sponsored walk in aid of Hearing Dogs for the Deaf Ashridge Park on 18 May, can be found through your local link officer listed below:

• Hemel Hempstead - PCSO Lee Jevon lee.jevon@herts.pnn.police.uk
• Berkhamsted - PCSO Kim Ashworth kim.ashworth@herts.pnn.police.uk
• Watford - Inspector Judith Spencer judith.spencer@herts.pnn.police.uk
• St Albans - Inspector Karen Potton karen.potton@herts.pnn.police.uk
• Potters Bar - PC David Stansbury david.stansbury@herts.pnn.police.uk
• Borehamwood - PCSO Claire Morris claire.morris@herts.pnn.police.uk
• Hitchin - PCSO Nichola Williams nichola.williams@herts.pnn.police.uk
• Bishop’s Stortford - PCSO Amy Phelps amy.phelps@herts.pnn.police.uk
• Buntingford - PCSO Janet Geach janet.geach2@herts.pnn.police.uk
• Stevenage - Sergeant Michael Wood Michael.wood@herts.pnn.police.uk
• Cheshunt - PCSO Rebecca Watson rebecca.watson@herts.pnn.police.uk