Doreen Woodford Funeral.
- Details
- Category: Deaf Christian News
- Published Date
- Written by Administrator
- Hits: 274
Doreen Woodford, founder of the Woodford Foundation, passed away on 31st December.
The Woodford Foundation works in income-poor countries to help deaf children access education and training.
Doreen has had 40 years experience in the education of deaf children. She began her career with Barnardo Childcare and at the Liverpool School for the Deaf. Following her degree and teacher training at the University of Manchester, Doreen taught at schools in Margate, Liverpool, Malvern and London.
When she retired from full-time employment she began to work to improve the education of deaf children across the world. With a number of other professionals from the field of assistance for the deaf, she founded the Woodford Foundation in 2004. The charity has grown, it now works in Malawi, Uganda and Tanzania and employs three staff at its Shrewsbury office.
Doreen retired from the foundation a year ago but her work will be remembered by many.
Doreen's funeral will be Thursday 19th. January 12:30pm in Much Wenlock Parish Church. Burial will be in Much Wenlock No flowers but collection for the British Deaf History Society.
Row over "rude" Christmas song
- Details
- Category: Deaf Christian News
- Published Date
- Written by Administrator
- Hits: 255
The Daily Mail has carried a story with the Headline "Toddlers banned from making their own gestures as they sing Twinkle Twinkle 'in case it offends deaf people'"
"Generations of children have grown up singing along and performing actions to the nursery rhyme favourite Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
But one toddler group has been told not to make the twinkling ‘star’ sign with their hands for fear it could offend the deaf.
Parents were told that the sign – which resembles a diamond shape when made with forefingers and thumbs – is used in official sign language to represent female genitalia.
The decision was made after staff attended a sign language course and were made aware that the one they were using had potential to cause offence.
The article then goes on to claim parents are upset by the politically correct decision made by nursery staff.
The story has led to accusations that the Daily Mail is biased against Deaf People and Sign Language. Critics have observed that Nursery staff will frequently guide nursery children to use better choices if they accidentally use rude words, gestures, or signs. It hardly constitutes a "politically correct" ban. It has also been noticed that theDaily Mail seems to sometimes "have an agenda to make life more difficult for Deaf people and Deaf Values".
RIP Christine Reeves
- Details
- Category: Deaf Christian News
- Published Date
- Written by Administrator
- Hits: 282
Deaf Christians and the wider Deaf community together mourn the loss of Christine Reeves after her fight with Leukaemia . Many will miss her very much and praise God for her life, her faith and her example.
For many sign language students was an exemplary teacher and a kind and fair examiner in many BSL exams. Penny Beschizza, Chairperson of Signs of writes:
"Christine was the embodiment of dignity as a Deaf woman with strong beliefs, supporting her husband Austin in the Deaf Community through the last four decades. Austin did much in the British Deaf Association and the Deaf Broadcasting Council during the 1980s-2000s to improve TV access for us Deaf TV viewers; we know that he would not have done so much without Christine's steadfast support. She worked as a BSL teacher for many years in the Midlands. Through her teaching, her own constantly kind and encouraging attitude have rubbed off upon those BSL students who have progressed in their careers. She endured her illness with quiet courage, knowing that she would miss seeing her grandchildren grow up, but with the assurance her legacy lives on. Her faith shone like a beam through our lives in those uncertain times."
To me personally, she was like a Deaf Lady Astor, especially when she became the first ever Deaf BSL user to speak at a major political party conference (SDP/Liberal), which was filmed for the TV. She really inspired me that Deaf people can become politician and campaigners if they want to! I must have been in my early twenties at that time!"
She will be sadly missed by many not least her husband Austin whose work for the deaf community was enabled and resourced by Christine's quiet background work and support. Our prayers are also with her 3 children and 5 grandchildren.
BSL Bible Translation released
- Details
- Category: Deaf Christian News
- Published Date
- Written by Administrator
- Hits: 602
The BSL Bible Translation Project has released the first ever scholarly BSL translation of part of the Bible has.The project has released a Pilot CD including the Gospel of Mark chapter 1 verse 1 to chapter 3 verse 6.and now wants to know what the British Deaf community think about it.
Herbert Klein, one of the Project’s three Deaf trustees, said ‘We hope that Deaf people will watch the DVD and give us their opinion – we need their input.’
Nick Palfreyman, a Deaf Christian and BSL user, said ‘Today is a great day! For so long, the Bible has not been accessible for Deaf BSL users. Finally, we can have access to the Bible in our own language, and we can fully understand.’
Leicester Deaf Church future revealed
- Details
- Category: Deaf Christian News
- Published Date
- Written by Administrator
- Hits: 861
The Church of England has spoken out and ended confusion about the fate of Leicester Deaf Church. Following the sale of the Deaf centre which housed the Deaf Church chapel by Action Deafness, and the loss of the chaplain, there has been considerable confusion in the Deaf community about the fate of Leicester and Loughborough Deaf Churches. However the Velnerable Richard Atkinson has spelled out to deafchurch.co.uk what the future holds.
The Leicester Deaf Church Congregation are moving to St Andrew's, Jarram Street at the end of this year. This follows on the ending of the relationship of the Diocese to Action Deafness who have sold their Centre in Leicester which housed the Deaf Church and moved elsewhere. The final service at the Church of the Good Shepherd in the former Action Deafness Centre (now owned by Leicester College) is at 3.00 pm on Sunday 12th December. The Deaf Church ( the name of the congregation may be reviewed) will continue to have a fortnightly service of Communion at St Andrew's from the 9th January onwards.
Deafchurch.co.uk on Facebook and Twitter
- Details
- Category: Deaf Christian News
- Published Date
- Written by Administrator
- Hits: 636
Don't forget you can follow deafchurch.co.uk on Twitter @deafchurchuk and join our facebook group deafchurch.co.uk.
If you follow us in Twitter you will receive notifications of new articles on deafchurch.co.uk