Deaf Connections Ishara Project has launched the Framework for Action Consultation. The aim of the consultation is to ask public, private, voluntary services and communities in Scotland about key needs of the deaf minority ethnic community. 

The process will take place between April 2013 to November 2013.  The consultation will take place online and in person at regional events in Dumfries, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness (more details coming soon). 

To view the consultation online and respond please go to our blog page at Framework for Action!

Hate Crime Conference 2012

The Annual Hate Crime Conference took place at Deaf Connections in Glasgow on 29th November 2013. Deaf Connections and their Ishara Project, BDA Scotland, Glasgow Community Safety Services and Police Scotland were all involved in organising the conference. 

We also had information stalls from Glasgow Disability Alliance, LGBT Youth, West of Scotland Regional Equality Council, Nil by Mouth, Victim Support Scotland, Wisewomen and the Asian Deaf Club. Also guest speakers Baille Fariha Thomas, Councillour Mohammed Razaq, Criz McCormick, David Thomas and PC Gillian Forrester. The programme also included dramas about Hate Crime, featuring the Asian Deaf Club

A special thanks to all who attended and were involved and big thank you to our hosts for the conference Paul McCusker and Jordan Kerr.

 

 



Ishara at Shawlands Mela 2013

Ishara was at Shawlands Mela organised by the Shawlands Academy PTA at the School on Saturday 16th March. We had a stall to help raise awareness about deafness and how Deaf Connections and the Ishara Project support deafness in minority ethnic communities. 

Thanks to Shawlands Academy PTA and everyone who visited the stall - the T Shirts were popular!

Ishara in Inverness!

Ishara and the Asian Deaf Club have managed to reach Inverness in recent training travels. Tasnim Sharif and Nafiesa Aslam from the Asian Deaf Club visited the Deaf Club in the Highlands to present training on Asian Cultures, showing the difference between Indian and Pakistani cultures. The Club really enjoyed the session. We would like to thank all who attende
d the Club and Jean Pentland from the BDA for organising the session.

If you are part of a deaf club or community group and would like to invite us with Asian Cultures programme, please contact us at Ishara@deafconnections.co.uk !

Asian Deaf Club

The Asian Deaf Club was established in 1998 by Deaf Connections in Glasgow. Since then the group has grown and it now offers a wide range of services, events and advice for it's members in British Sign Language. The Asian Deaf Club runs every Saturday between 1.30pm to 4.30pm at Deaf Connections by arranging trips, social activities and information sessions. They also celebrate cultural events from different ME cultures.

Information sessions are provided to the Deaf on the following topics:

• Health Issues
• Benefits
• Education
• Employment
• Training
• Personal Development
• Faiths and Cultures of different ME Communities

The Asian Deaf Club welcomes Deaf people from all minority ethnic backgrounds. The Club provides a confidential service and members understand and respect different cultures. The Club also are a key partner to Ishara and support and facilitate part of Ishara's work.

Asian Deaf Club at Deaf Connections, Glasgow

Asian Deaf Club at Go Ape, North Glasgow

Asian Deaf Club Ladies, Asian Deaf Club 10 Year Anniversary - 25/10/10

Asian Deaf Club Guys, Asian Deaf Club 10 Year Anniversary - 25/10/10

 
 For more information about the Club, please contact Tasnim on the details below:

Tasnim Sharif - Deaf ME Community Development Worker

Textphone: 0141 4202171

SMS: 07749311524

Email: Tasnim@deafconnections.co.uk

Ishara 2012 - 2015

 

 

Ishara is funded by the Scottish Government Equality Unit from April 2012 to March 2015. The project supports Deaf Minority Ethnic (ME) people across Scotland. We do this by:

Helping Deaf ME people report Hate Crime:

• Working in partnership to host police surgeries
• Developing accessible information about Hate Crime
• Organise events for local communities about Hate Crime

Help Deaf ME people tell agencies about problems with accessing help or services:

• Consult with agencies and communities about needs of Deaf ME people
• Ask agencies and communities what the barriers are for
• supporting Deaf ME people.
• Deaf ME people will inform policy and decision makers about Equalities at highest levels.

Help agencies and communities to support needs of Deaf ME people.

• Deliver online training and information sessions for agencies and communities.
• Help agencies and communities action plan to deliver change.
• Develop accessible information about key issues for Deaf ME people.
• Raise awareness at highest levels about good practise with equalities.

Help Deaf ME people to engage with ME communities and

promote deaf awareness:

• Engage with ME communities in Scotland.
• Promote deaf awareness and needs of Deaf ME people.
• Encourage more people from ME communities to learn British Sign Language (BSL) and support individuals to become BSL interpreters.
• Organise engagement events for Deaf ME people and ME communities in Scotland.

For more information, please contact:

	Tasnim Sharif - Ishara Project Officer Text phone: 0141 4202171 Tel: 18002 0141 4202171 SMS: 07749311524 (text message only) Ishara@deafconnections.co.uk
	Maryam Imran - Ishara Project Officer Tel: 0141 4202819 Ishara@deafconnections.co.uk

About Ishara

 

 

The Ishara Project was founded by the Asian Deaf Club and Deaf Connections in 2001. The word 'Ishara' is a word from the Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi languages. It means to make signs or gesture with hands. We choice this name for our project as it helps to promote the ethic identity. The Ishara provides support to Deaf ME people in the West of Scotland in the following ways:

1. Information and advice on accessing employment, health services, housing, benefits, etc.
2. Communication guidance for ME families and community agencies. For example, deaf awareness training and BSL Taster classes in a culturally sensitive manner.
3. Information, advice and arranging sessions for Deaf ME people to find out more about their own cultures and beliefs.

• Ishara staff has both female and male staff to suit any gender specific requests. The Project also has the following languages available; British Sign Language, English, Urdu, Punjab as well as gesturing for Deaf ME service users where BSL is not their first language. The project also works with interpreters to engage in other languages.
• The project has provides a confidential service and members understand and respect different beliefs and cultures. 

 

For any information or feedback, please contact either of the Project staff as follows:

 

 

Tasnim Sharif -Ishara Project Officer
Text phone: 0141 4202171
Tel: 18002 0141 4202171
SMS: 07749311524 (text message only)
Ishara@deafconnections.co.uk

 

Maryam Imran - Ishara Project Officer

Tel: 0141 4202819

Email: Ishara@deafconnections.co.uk 

Ishara is a Project setup and part of Deaf Connections.