Miss-Delectable
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2004
- Messages
- 17,160
- Reaction score
- 7
http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/9283301.Deaf_campaigner_named_Sound_Barrier_Star_of_the_Year_at_Specsavers_Awards/
A CAMPAIGNER who made it his personal crusade to take television subtitles has been hailed a hearing hero.
Alan Roberts, from Shortlands, has always dedicated himself to improving the lives of the deaf and hard of hearing.
And now the 77-year-old has been given recognition for his work by being crowned Sound Barrier Star of the Year at the Specsavers Sound Barrier Star Awards.
Mr Roberts, who lost his hearing at the age of 19 after contracting tubercular meningitis, said: “‘To me, making subtitles widely available was a simple yet very powerful way to allow deaf people to see what other people hear.
“After years of campaigning and meeting with television executives, I eventually had a breakthrough.
“I am absolutely honoured to be accept this award especially in the company of so many other deserving finalists.”
Mr Roberts is a trustee, and former chairman, of Bromley-based charity Deaf Access and is a sub-committee member of Action on Hearing Loss (formerly the RNID).
He was awarded the British Empire Medal in 1992 for his services to help deaf people.
And he has helped the National Association of Deafened People and the Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People as a deaf awareness trainer and lip speaking examiner.
His award was presented at the award ceremony at the Savile Club in Mayfair, central London, by Sound Barrier Star ambassador and actress Rula Lenska.
She said: “Coping with hearing difficulties requires an enormous amount of bravery.
“I know, having battled with this for the past decade.
“It's awe-inspiring to learn how other people with hearing loss, like Alan, have managed to achieve so much despite the challenges being deaf present.”
A CAMPAIGNER who made it his personal crusade to take television subtitles has been hailed a hearing hero.
Alan Roberts, from Shortlands, has always dedicated himself to improving the lives of the deaf and hard of hearing.
And now the 77-year-old has been given recognition for his work by being crowned Sound Barrier Star of the Year at the Specsavers Sound Barrier Star Awards.
Mr Roberts, who lost his hearing at the age of 19 after contracting tubercular meningitis, said: “‘To me, making subtitles widely available was a simple yet very powerful way to allow deaf people to see what other people hear.
“After years of campaigning and meeting with television executives, I eventually had a breakthrough.
“I am absolutely honoured to be accept this award especially in the company of so many other deserving finalists.”
Mr Roberts is a trustee, and former chairman, of Bromley-based charity Deaf Access and is a sub-committee member of Action on Hearing Loss (formerly the RNID).
He was awarded the British Empire Medal in 1992 for his services to help deaf people.
And he has helped the National Association of Deafened People and the Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People as a deaf awareness trainer and lip speaking examiner.
His award was presented at the award ceremony at the Savile Club in Mayfair, central London, by Sound Barrier Star ambassador and actress Rula Lenska.
She said: “Coping with hearing difficulties requires an enormous amount of bravery.
“I know, having battled with this for the past decade.
“It's awe-inspiring to learn how other people with hearing loss, like Alan, have managed to achieve so much despite the challenges being deaf present.”