Faith Day being held for Deaf and Blind People in Yorkshire
Deaf, blind and deafblind people from all faiths and backgrounds across Yorkshire are being brought together this week as leading charity coHearentVision holds a Faith Access Day. The multicultural event, being held on 19th October 2010 at Shire View Centre for Visually Impaired People in Headingley, Leeds, will offer deaf and blind people in Yorkshire the opportunity to access information and spiritual guidance from a variety of faiths, including senior members of Leeds Sikh community. The day will be full of entertainment, including a set from the world’s first deafblind DJ, Mike Gerwat, as well as singing from local primary school pupils and a set from the Yorkshire Brass Quintet. Speakers at the event will include Venerable Mary from the Jamyang Buddhist Centre, Mike Gerwat, a Deafblind Buddhist, and Viraf, who will explain the principles of Zoroastrianism. There will also be a service in British Sign Language conducted by Bob Shrine, a Church of England Vicar. A Healing Space will also be available, as well as Meditation instruction from the Jamyang Centre and the Leeds Triratna Buddhist Centre throughout the day. Jeff Pickersgill, Specialist Worker in the Deafblind unit at coHearentVision said: “We wanted to organise an exciting and informative day for the deaf and blind people of Leeds and the Faith Access Day is an opportunity for everyone to learn about religion in addition to it being a celebratory occasion. “As well as representatives from different faiths, there will also be members of other local charities and services present, including ‘Sign Health’ and ‘Cloverleaf Advocacy’, to offer support and advice to all our visitors. “The Faith Access Day will give deaf and blind people the opportunity to participate in worship and receive spiritual guidance, to which they may not normally have easy access.” Those interested in attending coHearentVision’s Faith Access Day should contact Jeff Pickersgill on 07775 444018. To donate or find out more about coHearentVision, visit www.cohearentvision.org.uk ENDS Issued on behalf of coHearentVision by Adessi For more information contact Laura Coyne at Adessi on Tel: (0113) 256 9999 Fax: (0113) 256 9989 Email: laura.coyne@adessi.co.uk Notes to Editor: About coHearentVision: coHearentVision provides a dynamic social and learning environment for people with sensory loss, offering practical solutions to encourage a better quality of life, including: • Braille and large print service • Audio description services • A deafblind unit to provide comprehensive support to deafblind people, their carers and families • Sign language interpreting service • A lively youth development service • Counselling and support • Symbolic Language Service for those with learning disabilities • Social facilities and activities coHearentVision also delivers a range of accredited courses and qualifications to help people satisfy the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 & 2004, including: • Taster Course, Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 in British Sign Language • Business training in Sensory Awareness, encompassing Blind Awareness, Deaf Awareness, Hard of Hearing Awareness and Deafblind Awareness skills.
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