Information and Support

The JDA offers support, information, advice and social interaction specifically geared to Jewish parents of children with a hearing loss - either deaf from birth or having lost their hearing to childhood illnesses or accidents. Some have additional learning needs.

At the JDA we provide parents with a friendly, welcoming place to come to for practical support, unbiased information and guidance - including information on outside services.
Most importantly, we constantly update our information to enable parents to make informed choices.

Our parent's network includes informal gatherings and one-to-one chats, providing parents with an opportunity to discuss common issues and areas of concern. Parents find these links invaluable as it allows them to share ideas and information and help build friendships for their children.

Summary of our services:

• Family services staff have first hand experience of being deaf or having deaf children, so there is rapport and understanding when parents come to them, at times in distress.
• We also offer individual support on a one to one basis at the same time focusing on specific needs within the family.
• The Family Services department organises a range of lively social events to bring Jewish families with deaf and hearing children together, so that they can meet people in similar situations, exchange experiences and get to know each other.
• We arrange educational seminars providing information relating to hearing loss, for parents of deaf children.
• We give unbiased advice on how to assess and access suitable education, speech therapy, audiological services, technology and benefits.
• We have close links with deaf organisations in the wider community especially the North London Deaf Children's Society, so that information is always available and up to date and referrals can be made to other specialists when needed.
• It offers advice and information about how deaf children can become more involved in Jewish life and culture, so that they are not excluded because they cannot follow proceedings.
• We offer Deaf Awareness Training to schools, most notably an annual four day event at JFS. We will work with you to ensure that your child's education is fully accessible. Read more about this event in the summer of 2009 and see the photos.
  
  To find out more contact Jody Sacks on:
  Email: jody@jda.dircon.co.uk
  Tel: 020 8446 0502

For the latest newsletter please click to read: October 2008

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