1. Research Questions
In order to portray deafness in society in a positive light we decided to
get in contact with the Royal Association for Deaf People to ask them
some questions about how they think deafness is portrayed in the media
and if there is enough help and support for them. This is a copy of the
emails we sent and received on the subject.
From: Rebecca Cobb [mailto:950184@henleycol.ac.uk]
Sent: 01 December 2010 10:05
To: info
Subject: Media Project
Hello, we are students at The Henley College currently taking part in a media project about
awareness of deafness and sign language. We would very much appreciate it if you could
take some time to answer a few questions, to help us and possibly send us some information
on this issue.
Yours Sincerely
Rebecca, Olivia, Alice and Charlotte.
From: Catherine Higgs [Catherine.Higgs@royaldeaf.org.uk]
Sent: 01 December 2010 10:08
To: Rebecca Cobb
Subject: RE: Media Project
Hi,
If you would like to send the questions, I will see if I can find the answers for you.
Regards
Catherine Higgs
Receptionist & Property Maintenance Co-ordinator
Voice Phone: 0845 688 2525
Fax: 0845 688 2526
Mobile: 07851 423866
Text Phone: 0845 688 2527
Website: www.royaldeaf.org.uk
Registered Charity No. 1081949 A company limited by guarantee registered in
England No. 3973353
From: Rebecca Cobb [950184@henleycol.ac.uk]
Sent: 02 December 2010 10:39
To: Catherine Higgs
Subject: RE: Media Project

2. Hello, thankyou very much for taking the time to reply. The questions we would like to ask
are:
• Do you think deafness is portrayed as positively as it could be in the media industry?
• Is there enough help for people dealing with deafness?
• Are there enough places for people to go to to learn sign language?
If you could answer any of this it would be of great help.
Regards
Rebecca, Olivia, Alice and Charlotte.
From: Sue Mountford [Sue.Mountford@royaldeaf.org.uk]
Sent: 02 December 2010 14:01
To: Rebecca Cobb
Subject: RE: Media Project
Hi
In response to your questions:
Do you think deafness is portrayed as positively as it could be in the media industry?
– no, absolutely not. There is a complete lack of understand of Deafness in society
and most of the barriers Deaf people face are societal.
Is there enough help for people dealing with deafness? – No, Deaf people are
expected to access mainstream services without the provision of appropriately
qualified or registered sign language interpreters. Ideally services such as advice
(employment, legal) and many others should be delivered in sign language to make
them fully accessible.
Are there enough places for people to go to to learn sign language? – No, and the
cost is an issue. This is a real issue for hearing parents of Deaf children.
Regards
Sue Mountford
Head of Advocacy and Employment
Royal Association for Deaf people
18 Westside Centre
London Road
Stanway
Colchester
Essex CO3 8PH
Voice Phone: 0845 688 2525
Fax: 0845 688 2526
Text Phone: 0845 688 2527
Mobile: 07908 200941
Website: www.royaldeaf.org.uk
Advocacy ● BME Services ● Employment Service ● Legal Services ● Interpreting ●
Social Care ● Children, Youth & Families Services ● Deaf Community Development
RAD has an environmentally-friendly approach. To view a copy of our environmental
policy click here
This message is intended for the addressee/s only. To view a copy of RAD's
confidentiality policy click here

3. Registered Charity No. 1081949 A company limited by guarantee registered in England No.
3973353
From: Rebecca Cobb [mailto:950184@henleycol.ac.uk]
Sent: 02 December 2010 14:03
To: Sue Mountford
Subject: RE: Media Project
Thankyou for your time, we appreciate your help and this has helped greatly with our project.
Regards
Rebecca, Olivia, Alice and Charlotte.
From: Sue Mountford [Sue.Mountford@royaldeaf.org.uk]
Sent: 02 December 2010 14:22
To: Rebecca Cobb
Subject: RE: Media Project
No problem.
Sue Mountford
Head of Advocacy and Employment
Royal Association for Deaf people
18 Westside Centre
London Road
Stanway
Colchester
Essex CO3 8PH
Voice Phone: 0845 688 2525
Fax: 0845 688 2526
Text Phone: 0845 688 2527
Mobile: 07908 200941
Website: www.royaldeaf.org.uk
Advocacy ● BME Services ● Employment Service ● Legal Services ● Interpreting ●
Social Care ● Children, Youth & Families Services ● Deaf Community Development
From this research we have seen that we need to make the short film carefully,
so that deaf people are seen in a positive way. We want to show are main
character as seeking help with her communication problem, which hopefully
will show that deaf people do not need to suffer in silence with their problem
and there is help for them if they seek it. We also want generally to make more
awareness for deaf people, so that others begin to realise that more help and
services need to be offered to people with this impairment.