Deaf Sussex Today The Newsletter for the Deaf Community in Sussex issue 4 spring 2003

BSL Recognition …the end of the beginning!

There’s a new football team in town… Read about the Brighton & Hove Albion Deaf Women’s Football Club

New Social Groups Directory Information on what’s happening in your area

Members FREE Non-members £1

Contents

Note from the Editor 2 Contact details 2 BSL Recognition …the end of the beginning!

3 Good news! 3 “there’s a new football team in town…”

4/5 walking down the aboriginal catwalk 6/7 captioned / interpreted theatre 8 BSL March 2003 9 Christmas Turkey & Tinsel Weekend 10 Seeking potential Editorial Team member!

11 TV Quiz 2003 11 social groups directory 12

Note from the Editor Hello and welcome to the fourth issue of a fast growing publication! Information and news are starting to come in by the pile, but we still want more! This magazine is for YOU, the reader, and by sending us information; you can share your news with the community. You will notice the delay in the distribution of this publication – so much has been happening since! At the AGM of Deaf Sussex in March 2003, we s

our farewells to Maria Booker who is one of the co-founders of the organisation. We are delighted to welcome John Walker and AlisoRogers as new Representatives, and look forward to seeing the organisation go places.

aid

n

I have moved into the role of Editor on a temporary basis – with the hope that some new faces will come forward to deliver this publication. There is an advertisement toward the end of this newsletter with information on what kind of people we are looking for. This issue is showing its’ “glamorous” side – see pages 6 & 7 for the reason! There are also deaf sports – a first in this publication. If you like what you read, please tell us – it’s the only way we know this newsletter is truly serving the community. We also have lots of good news – see page 3 for two important pieces. Keep an eye on this space – we may have some more good news to share with you in the near future! Happy Reading Paul Neal Acting Editor

Contact details Address Fax Deaf Sussex (DST) 01903 831770 PO Box 4288 Worthing Email Sussex deafsussextoday@talk21.com BN13 2BZ

Disclaimer

Deaf Sussex is not responsible for external articles or advertisements printed in this magazine. All contents in this issue are copyrighted and none can be used for personal or professional use without written permission from the DST Editor or the rightful owner.

If you ignore this friendly warning and use the picture or article anyway, the Editor has the right to demand compensation in the form of a fee negotiable.

2 Deaf Sussex Today

Lition

ng!

news that the ecognition of its own right!

BS

BSL Recogn…the end of the beginni

Deaf Sussex is delighted to share the British Government has announced r

British Sign Language as a language in

th

At a meeting in Westminster on 18 March 2003, with representatives from deaf organisations including the Federation of Deaf People and the British Deaf Association, Secretary of State Andrew Smith and the Minister for Disabled People, Maria Eagle announced the recognition and their decision to give £1 million in funding to support the move.

Joint Statement from Andrew Smith, Secretary of State for Department of Work and Pensions, and Maria Eagle, Minister for Disabled People: "The Government recognises that British Sign Language (BSL) is a language in its own right regularly used by a significant number of people. For an estimated 70,000 deaf people it is their preferred language for participation in everyday life. BSL is a visual-gestural language with its own vocabulary, grammar and syntax. The Government understands that people who use BSL want their language to be protected and promoted in the same way some minority languages are by the Council of Europe's Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. The Council is considering how that might be achieved for indigenous sign languages. The Government will give careful consideration to any proposals which the Council might make. The Government has already taken action to improve access to BSL, for example by identifying situations where it might be reasonable for employers and service providers to engage the services of a BSL/English interpreter. The Government will be funding a discrete programme of initiatives to support this statement."

Statement from the Federation of Deaf People: “The Federation of Deaf People (FDP) is delighted that the British Government have finally recognised British Sign Language (BSL) as a language in its own right. This goes to show that our four years of campaigning, lobbying and BSL marches did have some impact and the Government HAS listened to us! However, there is still a lot of work to be done. While we are very pleased with this big step towards the full acceptance of our language, it still has no legal status and needs to be strengthened by law. FDP Chair, Lesley Knight says: "This is a great day for Deaf people, but it is only the start. We will be working closely with the BDA to make sure it doesn't become a tokenism." The FDP National Committee would like to give its huge thanks to all the Deaf people and our allies who have worked hard to make this possible. This year's BSL March will still be held on 5th July in London, to celebrate today's announcement and to push for stronger legislation which will allow us to step ahead even further in the fight for Deaf rights.

Good news! Deaf Sussex is delighted to report that West Sussex County Council has awarded the organisation a grant of £2,000 for the year 2003/4. Following successful workshops held in the previous financial year, this money is to go toward a new training programme of three further workshops. If any of our readers have any preferences/suggestions of subjects, please get in touch! We will also be approaching East Sussex and Brighton & Hove Councils for funding toward workshops in these areas.

Deaf Sussex Today 3

deaf sports

Introduction Brighton & Hove Deaf Women FC has been around for many years, under a new committee made last year. With fresh ideas and a dynamic young group. We contacted Brighton & Hove Albion FC to see if they could help with training and funding. Brighton & Hove Albion Development Officer Teresa Sanders have never heard of a Deaf Women Football club in Brighton and imminently offered her services to support us. Since then, we got 15 new Training footballs,

there’s a newfootballOur aims for the future is for the club to grow in numbers of players, we know there are many young women who are deaf or particularly hearing are in Brighton – we would like to encourage them to play for our club, it doesn’t matter what kind of level they are at. It’s the taking part that counts. We train every Monday night at Oakmeeds College in Burgess Hill from 8.30pm to 9.30pm. For more information,

training equipment, and a qualified coach to coach us and the use of an indoor facility in Burgess Hill. They have applied for funding for club, to cover costs for training, coaching qualifications and the running cost of the club. The football club itself has 10 committed young deaf women from all sort of background. Since joining the Seagulls, the confidence of the players has grown knowing they have a sense of belonging. The thought of being in the same club as Brighton & Hove Albion FC is an honour for us followers. We take part in 5 a side football tournament in the UK. In Derby, Wolverhampton, Bexley Heath, Leeds and so on. We have recently been invited to go to Belgium to play an international club tournament. Where teams from USA, Germany, Sweden, Denmark Norway, Czech Rep and many more have been invited. This is a great honour as a team to be invited and to play for Brighton & Hove Albion Deaf Women FC excites many of our players.

“ We applied to Argus Appeal to see if they would help us financially for us to go to Belgium, we were successful on receiving £500 – which will go towards on buying our Tracksuit wear.

please contact – Chairperson; Natalie MacGarvie 07718 769467 (Mobile voice & text) or Secretary; Roanna Simmons 07740 337641 (text only). News Brighton & Hove Albion Deaf Women FC invited Hassocks Ladies FC to play Futsal rules in preparation for Belgium trip at the Easter weekend. Players for B&HADWFC = Sammie, Corinna, Sarah, Rebecca, Jo and Roanna. Players for Hassocks = Sarah, Catherine, Laura, Shona and Woody. Mac selected Sammie as GK, Jo as Defence, Corinna along with Jo. Rebecca and Sarah upfront. Mac explained the formation that we will play as. Roanna was sub, as she is fresh from injury. Nikki our coach motivated us before the game. Hassocks had a thunder shot at the early parts of the game, which startled Sammie and then she rolled up her sleeved and prepared for a hard game. It was Jo first game as a defender, previously a forward - she was uncomfortable at first which was understandable. Sonya Nye was filming the game and she had terrible itching feet! Rebecca constantly fought the ball up front and made a few shots - it was her

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team in town…

TOP - L-R: Sarah Fosh, Roanna Simmons, Joan Huntsman, Sabby Placzek BOTTOM – L-R: Sonya Nye, Sam Caiels, Corinna Simmons

first time playing this kind of football - especially the ball has low bounce and it was harder to kick. Hassocks kept pressuring us; they soon found a way through our defence and start scoring. Sammie let the 1st goal through under her legs, she cringe on the mistake she made - she does not need to be reminded again about it. The first goal was the downfall of the team, confidence was shaken - Corinna was running endlessly and was all over the place. Roanna was on the bench, she was screaming soundless saying 'Come on, keep fighting'. Sarah had her first sign of her back problem during towards the end of the game. As the goals added, confidence was getting dangerously low. Roanna went on the pitch in for Rebecca, she did nothing much to change the playing. Half time whistle blew. Nikki gathered the players and encouraged Sammie to work harder and lower, while the defenders needed to be side by side of the opposite team. Last thing she said before we started in the 2nd Half, 'Now, we play a new game - the score is 0-0' so in our mind we were fresh again and started with our fighting sprit again. Rebecca came back on the pitch in change for Sarah. Jo worked next to Roanna in defensively position, while Corinna and Rebecca to lead the attacking position. Roanna plays with Hassocks on Sundays, she know Sarah Charker the forward is a good player - Roanna had difficultly to tame her. Corinna and Rebecca were causing havoc to the Hassocks defenders. With triangle passes happening at hesitation pace - we know next time we work faster and accurate. The first goal scored was by Rebecca, a little dribble to the right and

gave it a good shot - it went in the goal which delighted the team. Jo was reliable to get the balls off the opposite team. Hassocks scored a goal which was a mistake made by Roanna previously, of which she held the ball a little too long. Sarah came on the pitch in change for Jo, I now name Sarah the 'Wall'! She was absolute solid and nothing could barge her down. Corinna was controlling the ball in mid field position - calming receiving the ball and making good passes. Rebecca was a striker in this game which she was always creating new ideas on her movements - a sprit forward or sideways. She was there when the team needed her, which produced her 2nd goal. It was a relief to us, knowing that we got more than one goal! We were trailing 2-5. After that goal - Hassocks thundered in 2 more goals, but before that - Sammie made so many saves that we lost count how many saves she did, she made the vision of the striker smaller as she came on one to one. The game ended with 2-7, Brighton girls are disappointed but not too downhearted. We talked a little on how we did. Then we had a few la Nikki’s new sign namgame she was trying her fingers! Next gamplayers back from inju

”ughs to relax our disappointments.

e is 'clicking fingers' type - when in the to get our attention, she kept on clicking e, we will go in harder and get 2 of our ry - Sabby and Sonya.

Roanna Simmons

Deaf Sussex Today 5

interview

Hi Sabrina! You went to Australia last year - what was this about?

Yes – I went with Jennie Robotham on a research and exploration trip, collecting information on Australian Aboriginal culture and arts. We visited museums, art galleries, and various places! We chose the theme as it is unheard of to deaf people as well as hearing people in the UK. I had no idea what was involved, so developed an interest to find out more about the culture and the arts of the Aboriginals.

And you were involved in organising a

fashion show – tell us more about this?

As part of the Millennium Award we received from the NDCS for the trip, we organised a fashion show to show the work we brought back from Australia, and to show what we learned. My area was the modelling and the rehearsals – Jennie’s was the art exhibition in the show! We had a lot of support with the fashion show – Mark, my partner, as well as Eddie, Graeme and Adam, Jennie’s partner! My dad and Mac helped out with the music and lightings to create a great atmosphere!

Wow! How did you feel about the whole event - did you feel the pressure?

Yes – there was a huge pressure! I would like to go through it again… (!!) It was good fun and I experienced so much from the show. There was so much to do and little time – pressure, pressure! Funnily, I miss it!

Great! And what are you doing now?

Well at the moment I am working at New Look in Crawley, and studying a course – an apprenticeship in retail at foundation level. I will be doing this for a year, then off travelling to the USA with my brother Adam and my sister Vicky.

What are your plans for the future?

I have so many options for the future! I would like to set up my own business in fashion, and also to go back to college to study further – a degree, post-graduate course or something like this. Fashion is forever changing; it is hard to keep up with it!

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December 2002 saw a fashion show being held in Horsham, run by two deaf people as part of their project funded by the NDCS Jack Ashley Millennium Awards.

Sabrina Placzek, one of the two, was interviewed…

Deaf Sussex Today 7

captioned / interpreted theatre

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BSL march

BSL March 2003

When? Saturday 5th July 2003 What time? Meeting at 10am, March start at 11am Where? Temple Place, London (see map)

For more information, contact the Federation of Deaf People (FDP) via:

Jen Dodds – deafpower@tinyworld.co.uk

Lesley Knight (Chair) – greeneyes_fdp@yahoo.co.uk

Deaf Sussex Today 9

10 Deaf Sussex Today

Deaf Sussex Today The Newsletter for the Deaf Community in Sussex

Seeking potential Editorial Team members!

This is a great opportunity for someone who has a good knowledge of the Deaf community in Sussex to break into journalism or editing.

Essential:

• Understanding of d/Deaf issues • Connections to the d/Deaf community • Ability to meet deadlines • Confidence in approaching people to find news and information for the newsletter • Computer literate

Desirable:

• Knowledge and ability to communicate in British Sign Language • Editorial experience • Writing skills • Editing experience or willingness to self-learn

If you are interested, please contact us. Contact details are on page 2.

Do you know your TV programmes?

If so, why not enter in our TV QUIZ 2003!

To enter, you need to contact us for the quiz sheet – there are 50 television programme titles, all in

anagrams! Each anagram is followed by the number of letters contained in each word of the title, for example: AEGGHILLNR (6,4) = Grange Hill

Grand Prize: tickets for 2 people to go on the British Airways London Eye!

If you wish to enter in this quiz, please contact us. You will find the contact details on page 2.

£1 to play

Deaf Sussex Today 11

social groups directory

West Sussex East Sussex

Brighton & H ove

BOGNOR REGIS Bognor Regis Communication Club, The Chestnuts, London Road (Every Monday)

BRIGHTON & HOVE

Brighton Deaf Club, Carlton Hill, Brighton

Brighton Deaf Darby & Joan Club, Carlton Hill, Brighton (2nd & 4th Wednesday of the month)

Thursday Club (Arts & Crafts for Deaf & Deafblind), Carlton Hill, Brighton

(2nd & 4th Thursday of the month, 2pm - 4pm)

The Crescent Pub (Social gathering), Clifton Hill, Brighton (Every Wednesday)

The Cuba Pub (Social gathering), 160 Kings Road, Arches, Brighton (Every Wednesday)

King & Queen Pub, London Road, Brighton (Every Thursday)

Sportsman Pub (Social gathering), Withdean Stadium, Withdean (Every fortnight on Thursdays)

Grenadier Pub (Social gathering), Hangleton Road, Hove (4th Friday of the month)

CHICHESTER

Chichester Deaf Club, North Park Centre, North Park Road (1st Friday of the month)

CRAWLEY

Crawley Deaf Club, Pound Hill Community Centre, Worth Road (3rd Saturday of the month)

Crawley OAP Club, The Twitten, Ginhams Road (1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month) Goffs Park Hotel, Goffs Park Road, Southgate (2nd & 4th Thursday of the month)

EAST GRINSTEAD Duke's Head Pub (Social gathering), Copthorne Road, Copthorne (1st Friday of the month)

EASTBOURNE

Eastbourne Deaf Club, St Mary’s Church Hall, Decoy Drive, Hampton Park (2nd & 4th Friday of the month)

Wetherspoon Pub (Social gathering), Cornfield Road (Every last Wednesday of the month)

HASTINGS Hastings Deaf Club, St Wilfriths, 28 Stockleigh Road, St Leonards-on-Sea Hastings Communication Club, St Wilfriths, 28 Stockleigh Road, St Leonards-on-Sea

MID SUSSEX

Mid Sussex Deaf Club (Programme varies – ask for programme)

WORTHING Worthing Deaf Club, Glynn Owens Centre, South Farm Road (2nd & 4th Saturday of the month)

Friendship Club, Sidney Walter Centre, Sussex Road (1st & 3rd Thursday of the month)

Talking Hands Communication Club, Maybridge Christian Fellowship, The Strand (Every Tuesday - contact Eileen Collins)

George & Dragon Pub (Communication Club), High Street, Tarring (Every Tuesday)

If you have any additions, or amendments needed, please contact us – contact details are on page 2

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