Lisi Whitworth’s Post

What’s the difference between VRS and VRI in Canada? Here’s a quick breakdown: 👉 VRS (Video Relay Service): Free and funded by the government through Canada VRS (CAV). It’s designed for telephone conversations between Deaf and hearing people in different locations. Think of it as a bridge for phone calls. 👉 VRI (Video Remote Interpreting): Paid for by businesses or organizations. It’s ideal for situations where VRS doesn’t work, like when Deaf and hearing participants are in the same room and in-person interpreting isn't available/convenient. Both rely on video platforms but serve different purposes. Still mixing them up? Save this post for future reference!

VRS and VRI: both use video, but have different roles. One’s your go-to for phone calls (VRS), the other’s there when in-person isn’t an option (VRI). Still wondering which is which? Read below 👇🏻

📢 Today marks the start of Deaf Awareness Week! Did you know that approximately 15% of Deafblind individuals use British Sign Language (BSL)? However, when they lose their sight, they often struggle to access appropriate sight loss services that cater to their Deafness. That's why we're calling on the Scottish government to adopt the Nordic definition of deafblindness. By integrating vision and hearing loss support, we can ensure a more comprehensive approach. 🌟 Join us in defining deafblindness for a more inclusive future! 📝 Sign the declaration: https://lnkd.in/eaUHkvsM

As part of our accessibility project we wanted to create greater access to SAMSN support services and information. One of the ways that deaf and hard of hearing people can access appropriate information is through our 34 Auslan videos on CSA that were developed with the help of @ deafconnect To see the videos visit: https://lnkd.in/emuMZjTq

🎉 An early Christmas present: our newly published protocol in BMJ Open! Listening effort and fatigue are common challenges for individuals with hearing loss and hearing aid users—but real-world tools to measure and understand these experiences are still lacking. Our study bridges that gap! Over a 4-week trial, we collect: ❤️ Physiological responses (using Empatica Embrace Plus wristbands) 🔊 Acoustic environments (via hearing aids) 📱 Self-reported experiences (through a smartphone Ecological Momentary Assessment app) We also investigate how factors like cognitive abilities and personality influence listening effort and fatigue. Our goal is to provide real-world insights that can pave the way for better hearing care solutions. Check out the full protocol here: https://lnkd.in/dax5-TPE A huge thank you to my amazing coauthors—this work wouldn’t have been possible without your dedication and collaboration! Jeppe Høy Christensen Trine Flensborg-Madsen Dorothea Wendt Hamish Innes-Brown Ingrid Johnsrude Matthew Apps Torsten Dau #BMJOpen #HearingAids #ListeningEffort #Fatigue

September is National Deaf Awareness Month! It’s a time to raise awareness and educate ourselves about the needs of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Effective and respectful communication is key—here are some tips: - Get the person’s attention before speaking. - Ensure good lighting, avoiding shadows or glare. - Speak clearly at a normal pace - do not exaggerate mouth movements, facial movements, or speak at a louder volume than you normally would. - Check for understanding, and if needed, use writing, texting, or gestures.

Very powerful illustration of some of the challenges in accessing equal communication. So very wrong to know that this is rampant across many areas not just in education.

Earlier this year, I challenged myself to start learning the Sign Language. To be honest, I did this for two reasons: 1. In the past year, I have gotten to work with more learners (teenagers) with hearing difficulties and I have seen first hand how this impacts not just their learning but their social interactions and consequently self-esteem in the mainstream setting. 2. I have an adult neighbor with hearing & speech difficulties who I interact with occasionally and have to guess most of his signs. What If… What if we all learn to sign. What if Sign language is introduced to the curriculum (like French or Spanish) and learning to sign isn’t seen as a taboo or something only reserved for those in the field of Special Ed. What if we all work together to create not just Inclusive classrooms or schools but an Inclusive society. This video is very insightful. What are your thoughts?

Inclusivity matters! 📆 On Tuesday, I went to speak with someone who was trying to develop their knowledge and capability in technology and modern digital workplace culture. ⛔️ I knew this person had accessibility needs which I and others didn’t, but figured we would work our way round it, that’s why I was there, to help and provide support so that was that and on my way I went. 🚶♀️➡️ 💭 I have thought deeply about the experience every day since, and primarily about how I, and many of us, need to do so much better to consider the needs of others when designing strategies and plans about how we work. ✅ I pride myself in planning so usually have something up my sleeve for early adopters, skeptics, those in the middle, those who can’t. Those who “can’t” for me was people with low capability and I did think about accessibility but there was a “resource” 📄for that. (How naive 🙄) ⏰ On Tuesday I had the privilege of experiencing only a few hours into someone else’s daily reality. Unfortunately, it took me to be there and spend quality time with someone to really appreciate what inclusion to that person meant. I have been trying to do little bits to make things easier since, but we need to do way more. (💡I have some ideas which I will voice and try to implement where possible) 📹 The video below reminded me of the conversation I had this week, whilst a different setting and a different accessibility requirement, it sparked the same feelings. 🤔 If you can, please consider those around you and those a little further away who may be impacted by what you do. Go and meet with different people and try to gain some of thier perspective to help you in your decision making. Even a small adjustment in how you think could make a massive difference for someone else.

This is such an impactful and important video and kudos to Waterloo Road for including this storyline. As someone who lost their hearing later in life, I can’t imagine the challenges of starting school as a deaf student. It’s crucial that students with accessibility needs receive support from the very beginning. Comprehensive plans must be in place well ahead of time and regularly reviewed to ensure that all students, regardless of their needs, have the opportunity to thrive. This extends beyond the classroom into the workforce as well. As someone who is profoundly deaf in both ears, I’ve faced these challenges firsthand. Currently, I rely on lip reading in the office because my hearing aids are broken, and I’m stuck in a slow, frustrating process with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) in Australia to get them replaced. There is a serious lack of support for individuals with hearing impairments who fall between the ages of 26 and 60. Hearing aids and other necessary equipment can cost anywhere between $5,000 and $10,000, and without that kind of disposable income, it’s nearly impossible to access what’s needed to do your job effectively. I’m fortunate to have worked in places that have done their best to assist, but the reality is that unless there’s comprehensive support in place, many are left struggling. The goal of this post is twofold: first, to emphasize the need to support students and workers with accessibility requirements fully, from the start, to give them the best possible chance to succeed and contribute. And second, to urge the Australian Government to streamline the NDIA’s processes so that people aren’t left waiting over nine months just for approval, followed by even more delays for basic communication and plan discussions. It’s a matter of dignity and inclusion. Do better, so we can just ‘do’.