Resources

Sarah Jane – Women Health

NDWI have a lot of knowledge linked to women’s health. There is plenty of information available for example, newspapers, TV, radio, word of mouth. However, there are access barriers for Deaf Women in availing of this information. The English used can be heavy and therefore hard to fully understand, and there is no access to the radio. It is important that Deaf women fully understand information regarding the importance of mammograms and smear tests and the symptoms of cervical cancer. For example, one Deaf woman here in Ireland died from cervical cancer. She was shocked when she found out she had cervical cancer and didn’t understand what this meant or what symptoms to look out for. If she had the information before, maybe it would have been diagnosed in time.

NDWI want information to be fully accessible in ISL. The cervical cancer website has information translated into 13 different languages, for example Italian, Spanish, Arabic but not ISL. NDWI aim to translate this.

Sinead Leadership 1

NDWI provide workshops all over Ireland. These workshops are about leadership. They focus on five main things:

  1. Leadership Roles
  2. Conflict
  3. Self-awareness
  4. Communication networks: how to network
  5. Fundraising: the right ways to raise funds

Sinead Leadership 2

In 2014 NDWI applied to Gallaudet University for Deaf Women’s Leadership course. They were successful in securing a scholarship for accommodation, food and the course for two people from Ireland to attend. The Irish Deaf com agreed to fund the flights to Gallaudet. The NDWI asked two people, Sinead Winters and Gaye Regan who were both very interested in attending. They both learned a lot and enjoyed the course. They returned to Ireland and have organized workshops and training and they achieved certificates.

 

Sinead Leadership 3

Gaye and myself travel all over Ireland. We’re both volunteers and we provide lectures about leadership. The groups discuss in a fun way to explore what leadership is to them. It’s about improving yourself and becoming involved in local women’s groups.