Statistics on deafness in the UK, South East and employment

Some facts and figures about deafness

U.K. Deaf Population

·                     There are estimated to be about 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK. The number is rising as the number of people over 60 increases.

·                     Over 680,000 people are classified as severely to profoundly deaf, which is equivalent to approx. 1% of the total UK population.

·                     108,000 of them are between the ages of 16 – 60

          

Deafness in the South East of England (Excluding London)

Although there are no official statistics regarding the numbers of deaf people in the South Eastern region, it is believed that the percentage of the deaf population is roughly the same throughout the country.

• This would mean that in an estimated population of 8,000,000 people in the South East, there would be approximately 80,000 severely to profoundly deaf people.
• 12,712 of them would be between the ages of 16 – 60

Deafness and the difficulties finding employment

• Prior to the recession, there were already one in five deaf people out of work, compared to one in 20 in the UK labour market.
• Nearly a fifth of those unemployed had been looking for a job for five years or more, with 36pc searching and applying for roles with no success for more than two years.

            Sign Language

Many people who are prelingually deaf use sign language to communicate. It is difficult to say how many people in the UK use British Sign Language (BSL) as their first or preferred language - current estimates suggest between 50,000 and 70,000. It is estimated that about 250,000 people regularly communicate in sign language, many of them hearing. 
More people (Deaf and hearing) use BSL, than speak Welsh or Gaelic.

For more information and news stories about deafness and British Sign Language (BSL) please visit our website www.silent-sounds.co.uk 

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!!

Silent Sounds would like to wish a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New year to all of our customers and also to our deaf clients.
We will be continuing to provide a full range of our excellent services on an emergency basis right through the Christmas and New Year period. However, as well as Christmas day, Boxing day and New Years Day, our offices will be closed for the Bank Holidays on 27th & 28th December. 
At all other times, we will be open for any enquiries.
See our website www.silent-sounds.co.uk for news items and articles on deaf issues and British Sign Language.

Helping people in the deaf community get back to work

Before the recession, there were already one in five deaf people out of work, compared to one in 20 in the UK labour market. Nearly a fifth of those unemployed had been looking for a job for five years or more, with 36pc searching and applying for roles with no success for more than two years.

The figures, which come from the Royal National Institute of the Deaf’s latest employment survey, reveal that even in the so-called “boom” time, the UK’s 70,000 profoundly deaf people found it harder to get into work. Add to that the worst economic slump in the UK since the 1930s, and it is safe to say that looking for a job when you’re deaf has just become a lot harder.

For those of you who are deaf or have other disabilities, Shaw Trust are an excellent source of help when it comes to assistance in getting back to work.  Every year they help thousands of people who need extra support to achieve their employment and personal development goals. 

For people that are claiming benefits, unemployed and want to work, looking for support in work, or want to take control of your daily care, they can help you by providing: 

• pre-work activities which enable people to become more 'work ready' and acquire life skills
• personal development and training courses to help you decide where you want to be and to equip you with the skills and motivation to get there
• employment programmes   to help you move from benefits into employment. They operate a range of employment focussed services including Pathways to Work, New Deal for Disabled People (NDDP), Workstep and projects funded by European Social Fund.
• Independent Living Services which can help you to make choices about managing your own care.   

Please check the blog page on our website www.silent-sounds.co.uk for other articles and news stories regarding deaf issues and British Sign Language.