CDS FUNDING SECURED FOR 3 YEARS
The KDRC would like to congratulate the Centre for Deaf Studies on the good news they received during the week. The Higher Education Authority has informed the CDS that it will continue to provide ring-fenced support to the Centre for the coming three years. The CDS would like to thank everyone who gave their support during this worrying time. The CDS is the only provider in Ireland of Deaf related qualifications at third-level. More than 70 people, a third of whom are deaf, have graduated from the CDS. For more information about the CDS see
www.tcd.ie/slscs/cds/.
HIGH COURT CASE ON ISL IN EDUCATION IS SETTLED
A case before the High Court on behalf of a deaf brother and sister aimed at getting tuition through Irish Sign Language (ISL) has been settled. The case was brought to ensure that the children receive adequate education, therapies and support services in accordance with their constitutional rights. The children's mother said she had sought an increase in ISL tuition hours due to her concern that their lack of access to ISL was affecting their educational development and that children required appropriate bilingual education in line with best international practice. The mother also claimed that requests for increases in tuition were not responded to and that the children's education was affected due to their teachers not being adequately trained.
After the settlement the family's barrister said the terms provided that the Minister for Education now recognises ISL as a language in the education of the two children. The Minister has also agreed to support the continuing professional development of teachers at the children's schools in relation to ISL. This is the second time parents of Deaf children have brought a case against the Dept. of Education for tuition in ISL. In 2006 Lucy Moran started a legal challenge against the Department for the State to provide appropriate educational and support services for her daughter Anna who is Deaf. For more on this story see the Irish Times:
www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland...
KODA BOWLING CORK
Congratulations to the KODA group for organising a very enjoyable evening of bowling at the Planet Entertainment Centre, Blackpool. The event was held to raise money for Deaf parents going to a KODA conference in University of Gallaudet Washington in July 2009 to learn about various issues related to raising hearing kids in the deaf world. The conference website is
www.nkodafc.org. Eleven teams competed to win the annual trophy. Prizes were presented to the winning teams and the team with the lowest points! Well done to the organisers and everyone who participated.
CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY
The Irish Deaf Women’s Group is holding a Children’s Christmas Party on 7th December at 3pm, at the Dublin Deaf Club, Drumcondra, Dublin. The cost of the party is 10 euro for members, and 12 euro for non members. For more information, contact IDWG at irishdeafwomen@gmail.com or text 0861719570.
DEAF YOUTH ADVOCATE POSITION
A post has become available for a one-year contract, subject to review, for the position of Deaf Youth Advocate from the City of Dublin Youth Services Board funding. Duties include: Facilitating Workshops, Fundraising, General Office Administration and Organising Fun Events. ISL Training will be provided if required. Please send your CV to IDYA, 30 Blessington St., Dublin 7. Closing date is the 23rd January 2009. If you need more information or have any questions contact IDYA at info@irishdeafyouth.com
NIALL MELLON TRUST
We would like to send our best wishes and safe trip to the KDRC manager, Willie White, who is in South Africa at the moment with the Niall Mellon Trust. An emotional opening meeting was held for all volunteers, approx. 2,500 people, including a number of Deaf Irish volunteers. Bishop Desmond Tutu, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984, and the founder of the Trust, Niall Mello
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