Celebrating International Week of The Deaf in Assisted Living
Today, over 5% of the world’s population is comprised of individuals with hearing disabilities. 430 million people need to address their disabling hearing loss.
The world joins the hearing disability community in celebrating the International Week of The Deaf during the last full week of September (Monday to Sunday.) But in the United States, the celebration is not only celebrated during the last full week of September but the year throughout. During the celebration, a series of events and activities are across the nation.
As the world joins the deaf community together with their initiatives and actionable plans, the assisted living communities also join the disability community during this week.
International Week of The Deaf
The International Week of the Deaf was launched in 1958 in Rome, Italy. The annual event is 64 years old. It also took part in establishing the institution of the International Day of Sign Languages in 2017.
Since its foundation, the International Week of the Deaf has become a worldwide celebration. Different events happen in various deaf communities on an international level.
Leaders and advocates in the deaf community across the globe celebrate and recognize the milestones of deaf people, promote understanding and the rights of deaf people, find ways for deaf people access to education, technologies, and resources, and more.
This year’s theme is “Building Inclusive Communities for All”. This encourages people of the deaf and hearing communities to come together. Connecting to a wider community aids in education and betters communication efforts. It will also help break the stereotype that too often follows the deaf community.
Celebrating in Assisted Living
More than 25% of adults under the age of 60 experience hearing loss. Nearly 50% have some level of hearing loss after the age of 75. Some Assisted living communities have programs tailored particularly for deaf seniors with mild to total hearing loss. Deaf-friendly programs range from the use of adaptive hearing devices and visual stimulation to caregivers that are fluent in ASL.
Assisted living communities with programs and facilities tailored for deaf seniors can help your loved ones feel included and safe.
Ways to Celebrate International Week of the Deaf
During the celebration, senior housing communities can also have their ways to celebrate International Week of the Deaf. Senior facilities can organize interest and lifestyle programs like dancing, painting, gardening, swimming, games, or art shows.
Assisted living facilities support staff training to better care for the deaf and hard of hearing. They can also help by conducting training for seniors who have not learned American Sign Language.
There are a lot of ways to celebrate International Week for the Deaf People in assisted living. Through collective effort, the celebration will be a success in positively affecting deaf people and the community.
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