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Learning to lipread can reduce barriers to employment - Farry

2 February 2012

Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry today attended the launch of the Action on Hearing Loss research report, “Read My Lips”, which examines the benefits of learning to lipread for people with hearing loss.  

Speaking at the launch event in Parliament Buildings, Minister Farry said: “It can be very difficult to conceive of all of the ways someone who has lost their hearing can be affected.  We can only imagine how a person’s life can be affected, how they can have difficulty interacting with friends, family and colleagues, and how everyday events, previously perhaps taken for granted, may become significantly more stressful.

“My Department endeavours to ensure that everyone in Northern Ireland has an equal opportunity to access its services across key areas such as further and higher education, employment, and training . I am keen to see barriers for people with hearing loss removed and will continue to work with partners at the Department of Health, and other key stakeholders, towards this goal.”

Lipreading is a technique of understanding speech by visually interpreting the movements of the lips, face and tongue with information provided by the context, language, and any residual hearing.  It can be easier to learn for people who acquire a hearing loss than sign language.  A number of classes are already provided in various locations across Northern Ireland.

Dr Farry continued: "I am pleased that my Department and Action on Hearing Loss have a close and mutually beneficial working relationship in a number of key areas.  This ranges from helping almost 100 individuals in 2011 affected by hearing loss through my Department's Access to Work programme to providing targeted support via, for example, interpreters, assistive technologies, modified exam papers and one-to-one support within further education colleges.”

“Learning to lipread can help in coming to terms with hearing loss, as it assists people to reintegrate into society, reduce their feelings of isolation and may help to ensure that people can continue to communicate effectively with friends, colleagues and loved ones.”

Jackie White, NI Director of Action of Hearing Loss said: “Learning to lipread can change someone’s life and provide a lifeline to many people who have retreated from their everyday life due to hearing loss.  We are pleased that government recognises this and will work with us to provide the support needed to enable people to lead fulfilling lives.”

Notes to editors:

  1. Action on Hearing Loss is a national organisation that has a long history of providing support for people with hearing loss and tinnitus.  They provide day-to-day care for people who are deaf and have additional needs, supply communication services and training, offer practical advice to help people protect their hearing, campaign to change public policy around hearing loss issues and support research into a future cure for hearing loss and tinnitus.
  2. The research report “Read My Lips” estimates that there are currently 241,510 people with hearing loss in Northern Ireland. Just over two fifths (41.7%) of people over 50 and 71.1% of people over 70 will have some kind of hearing loss.
  3. Photographs from the event are available by calling the Department for Employment and Learning Communications Branch on 028 9025 7793 or at http://www.flickr.com/photos/niexecutive/collections/ external link
  4. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Employment and Learning Communications Branch on 028 9025 7793. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.