Speak out on Be Heard Day

Saturday 18th September 2010
9:00am – 12:00 noon

In what is a first for New Zealand, the National Foundation for the Deaf has asked all Members of Parliament to make time to meet people with hearing disabilities in their electorate offices on Saturday morning, September 18.

‘Be Heard Day’ is an opportunity for those affected by hearing loss to speak out about the issues that concern them.

NFD chief executive Louise Carroll said people with hearing disabilities faced a raft of issues ranging from ACC coverage and hearing aid funding through to education and isolation.

“The hearing-impaired and Deaf have taken a number of hits from government decisions over the past year, and we believe part of the reason is that MPs just don’t understand hearing loss and the impact of their decisions,” says Mrs Carroll.

Research shows about 450,000 New Zealanders have a hearing loss and nearly 290,000 of them regard their hearing loss as disabling.

“This is the biggest sensory disability group in the country and just because it’s invisible, doesn’t mean it should be ignored” says Mrs Carroll.

“If MPs are not available on Be Heard Day then we encourage people to make appointments over the following week, being Deaf Awareness Week.”

ENDS

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