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Life during the Troubles for Ulster's deaf people made known - Belfast Today
MOVING stories about life for deaf people during the Troubles, life before technology and the importance of sport are just three topics covered in a new DVD launched by the Deaf Association of Northern Ireland (DANI].
The new resource, which is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, has been commissioned with the support of a £131,500 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, in a bid to ensure Deaf history, traditions and culture are preserved for the benefit of future generations.
Northern Ireland's Deaf community has an "extremely rich and interesting history, and some of its older members "have great stories to tell about life before type talk, texting, emails and vibrating alarm clocks" according to Deaf heritage project officer Paula Clarke.
DANI hopes that the new DVD, 'Signs of Our Times' will not only be valuable for Northern Ireland's Deaf community, but will also be of use to historians, museums and universities.
Ms Clarke explained that, in particular, members have extremely moving stories about their lives during the Troubles.
"Deaf people were hurt and killed because they weren't aware there was a security alert," she said. "We've sought to capture these stories for the interest and benefit of younger generations."
"In addition, sport has always been extremely important to Deaf people and something through which we developed a real sense of community.
Deaf clubs where people played games and chatted were also a really great way for us to socialise, however as there are fewer Deaf clubs it is easy for people to feel isolated. As Deaf children are also increasingly sent to mainstream schools, there is a very real risk that our sense of community could rapidly diminish," added Paula.
HLF Development Manager, Úna Duffy said: "We are delighted to be involved in this project which has enabled the Deaf community to learn about and share their heritage. Over 150 people from the Deaf community were involved in contributing to and producing this unique resource which will increase everyone's understanding of Deaf people's unique and rich heritage and culture."
Signs of Our Times includes stories and anecdotes from young and old members of Northern Ireland's Deaf community, delivered in British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language and with subtitles, and covering subjects such as education, work, sport, romance and the Troubles.
DANI will distribute copies of Signs of Our Times to museums and libraries across Northern Ireland, as well as Deaf families, clubs and schools, and universities for the study of linguistics.
Anyone interested in getting a copy of Signs of Our Times should contact DANI on tel: 028 90 43 74 80 or email: northernireland@bda.org.uk .
MOVING stories about life for deaf people during the Troubles, life before technology and the importance of sport are just three topics covered in a new DVD launched by the Deaf Association of Northern Ireland (DANI].
The new resource, which is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, has been commissioned with the support of a £131,500 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, in a bid to ensure Deaf history, traditions and culture are preserved for the benefit of future generations.
Northern Ireland's Deaf community has an "extremely rich and interesting history, and some of its older members "have great stories to tell about life before type talk, texting, emails and vibrating alarm clocks" according to Deaf heritage project officer Paula Clarke.
DANI hopes that the new DVD, 'Signs of Our Times' will not only be valuable for Northern Ireland's Deaf community, but will also be of use to historians, museums and universities.
Ms Clarke explained that, in particular, members have extremely moving stories about their lives during the Troubles.
"Deaf people were hurt and killed because they weren't aware there was a security alert," she said. "We've sought to capture these stories for the interest and benefit of younger generations."
"In addition, sport has always been extremely important to Deaf people and something through which we developed a real sense of community.
Deaf clubs where people played games and chatted were also a really great way for us to socialise, however as there are fewer Deaf clubs it is easy for people to feel isolated. As Deaf children are also increasingly sent to mainstream schools, there is a very real risk that our sense of community could rapidly diminish," added Paula.
HLF Development Manager, Úna Duffy said: "We are delighted to be involved in this project which has enabled the Deaf community to learn about and share their heritage. Over 150 people from the Deaf community were involved in contributing to and producing this unique resource which will increase everyone's understanding of Deaf people's unique and rich heritage and culture."
Signs of Our Times includes stories and anecdotes from young and old members of Northern Ireland's Deaf community, delivered in British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language and with subtitles, and covering subjects such as education, work, sport, romance and the Troubles.
DANI will distribute copies of Signs of Our Times to museums and libraries across Northern Ireland, as well as Deaf families, clubs and schools, and universities for the study of linguistics.
Anyone interested in getting a copy of Signs of Our Times should contact DANI on tel: 028 90 43 74 80 or email: northernireland@bda.org.uk .