Irish Deaf Society
Encyclopedia
The Irish Deaf Society (IDS) is the national representative organisation of the Deaf community
in Ireland
. It upholds the status of Irish Sign Language (ISL)
, which is the first and preferred language of Deaf people in Ireland. The Society, a growing and vital organization, provides a number of specific health, personal and social services to deaf adults, children and their families.
The IDS is recognised by the World Federation of the Deaf
and The European Union of the Deaf
, non-governmental organisations that represent National Associations of the Deaf
at the world and European Union
levels.
and quality of life
for all Deaf people. The Society recognizes that the Deaf have traditionally faced the threats of poverty, limited employment opportunities, and other difficulties because of the lack of public understanding or appreciation for their essential needs. Therefore, their mission statement
reads:
Deaf people have the same potential for language and the same right to access in society as is available to hearing people.
Deaf people have a right to be Deaf and to be accepted as they are, linguistically, culturally and developmentally. They also have a right to membership of both the Deaf Community and other communities which reflect their ethnic, religious or cultural background.
Deaf culture
Deaf culture describes the social beliefs, behaviors, art, literary traditions, history, values and shared institutions of communities that are affected by deafness and which use sign languages as the main means of communication. When used as a cultural label, the word deaf is often written with a...
in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. It upholds the status of Irish Sign Language (ISL)
Irish Sign Language
Irish Sign Language is the sign language of Ireland, used primarily in the Republic of Ireland. It is also used in Northern Ireland, though British Sign Language is also used. Irish Sign Language is more closely related to French Sign Language than to British Sign Language, which was first used...
, which is the first and preferred language of Deaf people in Ireland. The Society, a growing and vital organization, provides a number of specific health, personal and social services to deaf adults, children and their families.
The IDS is recognised by the World Federation of the Deaf
World Federation of the Deaf
The World Federation of the Deaf is an international non-governmental organization that acts as a peak body for national associations of Deaf people, with a focus on Deaf people who use sign language and their family and friends...
and The European Union of the Deaf
The European Union of the Deaf
The European Union of the Deaf is a supraorganization comprising each respective National Association of the Deaf of the member states of the European Union. The EUD is a nonprofit organization founded in 1985....
, non-governmental organisations that represent National Associations of the Deaf
National Association of the Deaf
National Associations of the Deaf are national bodies that represent Deaf people and the Deaf community in their respective countries. They are usually members of the World Federation of the Deaf and advocate for sign language.-See also:...
at the world and European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
levels.
Purpose
The IDS seeks to enhance the standard of livingStandard of living
Standard of living is generally measured by standards such as real income per person and poverty rate. Other measures such as access and quality of health care, income growth inequality and educational standards are also used. Examples are access to certain goods , or measures of health such as...
and quality of life
Quality of life
The term quality of life is used to evaluate the general well-being of individuals and societies. The term is used in a wide range of contexts, including the fields of international development, healthcare, and politics. Quality of life should not be confused with the concept of standard of...
for all Deaf people. The Society recognizes that the Deaf have traditionally faced the threats of poverty, limited employment opportunities, and other difficulties because of the lack of public understanding or appreciation for their essential needs. Therefore, their mission statement
Mission statement
A mission statement is a statement of the purpose of a company or organization. The mission statement should guide the actions of the organization, spell out its overall goal, provide a path, and guide decision-making...
reads:
Objectives
The IDS Board of Directors, governed by Deaf people and elected by members of the Deaf community, upholds these main objectives:- Empowering and enabling Deaf people to participate in positive action to further their independence and full participation in the community.
- Working toward the advancement of public educationPublic educationState schools, also known in the United States and Canada as public schools,In much of the Commonwealth, including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, the terms 'public education', 'public school' and 'independent school' are used for private schools, that is, schools...
concerning the rights of Deaf people. - Educating the public on civil and human rightsHuman rightsHuman rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
, in accordance with the United NationsUnited NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
' Standard Rule for Equalisation of People with DisabilitiesConvention on the Rights of Persons with DisabilitiesThe Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an international human rights instrument of the United Nations intended to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities...
and the World Federation of the Deaf. - Promoting the status of Irish Sign Language (ISL), as the primary means of communication within the Deaf community.
Vision
Deaf people constitute a linguistic and cultural minority, and contribute to the diversity and richness of humankind.Deaf people have the same potential for language and the same right to access in society as is available to hearing people.
Deaf people have a right to be Deaf and to be accepted as they are, linguistically, culturally and developmentally. They also have a right to membership of both the Deaf Community and other communities which reflect their ethnic, religious or cultural background.
Irish Sign Language (ISL)
Deaf people have the right to use the culturally enriched ISL as their primary language making linguistic oppression a thing of the past.Human Rights
Deaf people have the right to live as equal citizens on par with hearing people. This discrimination, which is a violation of their rights, must be outlawed.Education
Deaf children have the right to be educated in ISL in a bi-lingual environment and Deaf people have the right to full access to all third level institutions.Social Inclusion
The provision of qualified ISL interpreters must be utilised, enabling Deaf people to independently access and participate within the public domain in society.Equal Opportunities
Deaf people have the right to equal employment opportunities on a management and professional level.Quality Living Conditions
Deaf people have the right to equitable living standards as the rest of society, where nothing hinders their participation.Families
Families of Deaf children have the right to receive comprehensive information from both cultural and medical perspectives with access to the Deaf Community, its culture and language.Empowerment
Deaf people have the right to represent the Deaf Community on a local and national level.Social and Political Partnership
The government and state agencies must involve Deaf people and Deaf-led organisations in the community, education, health and in legal and social fields.Access
Deaf people have a right to access various vital services in education, employment and health sectors.See also
- Deaf cultureDeaf cultureDeaf culture describes the social beliefs, behaviors, art, literary traditions, history, values and shared institutions of communities that are affected by deafness and which use sign languages as the main means of communication. When used as a cultural label, the word deaf is often written with a...
- The European Union of the DeafThe European Union of the DeafThe European Union of the Deaf is a supraorganization comprising each respective National Association of the Deaf of the member states of the European Union. The EUD is a nonprofit organization founded in 1985....
- Hearing impairmentHearing impairment-Definition:Deafness is the inability for the ear to interpret certain or all frequencies of sound.-Environmental Situations:Deafness can be caused by environmental situations such as noise, trauma, or other ear defections...
- Irish Deaf Youth Association
- Irish Sign LanguageIrish Sign LanguageIrish Sign Language is the sign language of Ireland, used primarily in the Republic of Ireland. It is also used in Northern Ireland, though British Sign Language is also used. Irish Sign Language is more closely related to French Sign Language than to British Sign Language, which was first used...
- National Association of the DeafNational Association of the DeafNational Associations of the Deaf are national bodies that represent Deaf people and the Deaf community in their respective countries. They are usually members of the World Federation of the Deaf and advocate for sign language.-See also:...
- World Federation of the DeafWorld Federation of the DeafThe World Federation of the Deaf is an international non-governmental organization that acts as a peak body for national associations of Deaf people, with a focus on Deaf people who use sign language and their family and friends...
External links
- http://www.deaf.ie (Irish Deaf Society website)