Meera Modi - Guest post #9

For this blog post, I will discuss how deaf people generally socialise.

You might think that deaf people don't enjoy music, but for many deaf people music is an important part of their lives. Although deaf people cannot follow the words, they do enjoy listening to music, by using the beats and the vibrations.

Many like feeling the vibrations - they can be felt by touching the stereo, or through the air, or via the floor. Try going to a nightclub with a wooden floor and see if you can feel the beats. Groups of deaf dancers exist and they are actually very good!

There is a show similar to Pop Idol, called - surprise, surprise - Deaf Idol! Take a look.

In the UK there are networks of Deaf clubs and societies. Many are initiated and organised by Deaf people, with various goals in mind, according to what the group is about.

There are also many social events that are created by deaf organisers which deaf people attend - they can communicate in their own language (British Sign Language) and meet new deaf people who may have the same perspective of the world. There are events based all across the UK.

A few examples of these are: The Wolverhampton Film Festival - also known as DeafFest. It is the UK's only Deaf-led film and television festival and celebrates the talents of Deaf filmmakers and media artists from all over the world.

Deaf Rave is a deaf festival and an opportunity for deaf people to meet and let their hair down.

Deaf Camp is an all deaf camping experience.

Different regions and cities have "deaf pubs" - pubs where deaf people go on a set day (for example the third Friday of each month) to socialise and hang out with other deaf people. It is not always the same pub - we do like a change!

There are many charities and organisations that supports deaf and hard of hearing people:

NDCS (The National Deaf Children's Society) - this charity ensures that parents can communicate with their hearing-impaired children.