‘Deafness could be stopping one in three people accessing Jewish communal services’

In response to the latest statistics, the JDA is expanding its free training programme to more Jewish communal organisations – a two-hour session, in person or online, covering practical steps to improve accessibility and guidance on policies and procedures.

JDA training supports synagogue service users (Photo: JDA)[Missing Credit]

Padraic Garrett, head of engage at JDA, says: “Often organisations believe they are accessible to people with hearing loss, but the reality experienced by individuals is very different. Hearing loss is an invisible barrier, and if it is not actively considered, it is missed, leaving people excluded.

“When communication is not clear or inclusive, people begin to withdraw, stepping back from services, volunteering and community life altogether.”

To date, JDA has trained more than 300 staff and volunteers across almost 20 organisations, including Chai Cancer Care, the Paperweight Trust, Jewish Blind and Disabled and Reach by Nightingale Hammerson.

Victoria Portnoi, chief executive of Chai Cancer Care, said: “Through JDA’s outreach programme, our staff has received specialist training to better support people with hearing loss. This is important as certain cancer drugs and treatment can cause hearing loss, either temporarily or permanently.”

Garrett said that training often started with carrying out an accessibility audit, looking at services, care planning and the physical environment, including lighting and acoustics and then recommending changes where necessary.

JDA has trained more than 80 per cent of Nightingale Hammerson’s clinical teams, and the care home organisation intends to roll out the training to all of them. “Working with JDA has been transformative,” said Nuno Santos Lopez, director of research, innovation and community engagement at Reach by Nightingale Hammerson.

“From improving the quality of life of our residents through better hearing and communication, to creating online resources that have reached thousands globally, the outcomes have been significant.”

JDA's CEO Sue Cipin (Photo: JDA)[Missing Credit]

Sue Cipin OBE, chief executive of JDA, says: “Many people with hearing loss across the community are still unable to access the services they need because awareness and accessibility are not where they should be. Our aim is to give organisations the tools to support people with hearing loss properly, so no one is excluded from the community.

“We are urging organisations across the community to take this opportunity to sign up to JDA’s deaf and hearing loss awareness training programme. It offers practical, straightforward steps to remove barriers and ensure people with hearing loss can access support fully and with dignity. We want to work in partnership with more organisations to make that a reality.”

Rachelle Lazarus, charity engagement and volunteer manager at Jewish Volunteer Network, said: “When JDA approached us about supporting volunteers with hearing loss, we believed we already had a good understanding. It quickly became clear how much more there was to learn. The session was insightful and engaging, and it has made us more thoughtful and proactive in how we work.”

For more information on JDA’s training, go to jdeaf.org.uk or click here