Deaf Action is gearing up for the annual Deaf Awareness Week which takes place from 7th to 13th May 2012 and to celebrate they will be taking their Information Stall around Dundee to get everyone involved.

Deaf Awareness Week is all about encouraging people to think about communication and consider the 1 in 5 people throughout Scotland that live with some degree of hearing loss. Deaf Action will be holding Information Stalls on Tuesday at Tesco, Riverside Drive, on Thursday at Ninewells Hospital and at Wellgate Shopping Centre and Coldside Library on Friday. Staff will be on hand to give out information, answer questions about services, hearing aids or equipment and maybe even teach you a little sign language too.

On Thursday, from their Dundee office, Deaf Action will be hosting a free introduction to British Sign Language (BSL) and with 93% of all communication being non-verbal, it seems everyone could benefit from learning a little sign language. Come along at 2pm to find out what it’s all about.

It is estimated that 62,000 people in Tayside are affected by hearing loss, George McGowan, Development Officer at Deaf Action, commented: “It’s very important for everyone in Dundee to think about deafness and communication. Hearing loss doesn’t discriminate; it is experienced by people of all ages from all walks of life. We’re very excited to be holding these events in the Dundee and hope lots of people will drop by for information and advice or even just for a chat.”

Deaf Action is the largest deaf organisation in Scotland and provides a number of services throughout Dundee including lip reading classes, equipment for deaf and hard of hearing people, advisory services and training to raise awareness.

Deaf Action’s Information Stall will be at Tesco, Riverside Drive on Tuesday 08 May 10am - 4pm, at Ninewells Hospital on Thursday 10 May 10am - 4pm, Wellgate Shopping Centre on Friday 10am – 4pm and Coldside Library 12pm – 2pm on Friday. The BSL introduction takes place at Deaf Action, Roseangle, Dundee on Thursday 10 May at 2pm.