CIB Celebrates Deaf Awareness Week 2024

The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is marking Deaf Awareness Week 2024 which runs 23 - 29 September 2024. Deaf Awareness Week is an annual event which aims to increase public understanding of Deaf culture, history, and the challenges faced by the Deaf community. Individuals and organisations are encouraged to participate in activities that promote better communication and greater inclusivity.

CIB will host an interactive Irish Sign Language (ISL) basics event for staff. Essential ISL words and phrases will be covered in the session, related to daily greetings, social interactions, and food and drink.

CIB’s Public Sector Duty Group also welcomed the opportunity to speak to the Office of the Ombudsman about the importance of Deaf Awareness Week. It was an engaging session and we are grateful to the Office of the Ombudsman for hosting this valuable exchange.

CIB in collaboration with the Irish Deaf Society created a video series on Deaf Awareness. These videos serve to give an insight into the Deaf Community, ISL, and the role of sign language interpreters. Find out more on the CIB Deaf awareness training page.

Last year, CIB partnered with the Centre for Deaf Studies, Trinity College, to develop ‘Be Irish Sign Language (ISL) Friendly Online’ guidelines. These guidelines emphasise the importance of Deaf interpreters and encourage public service bodies to make their digital content accessible in ISL. You can learn more on CIB's Accessibility Publications page.

CIB also offers an ‘About us’ video in ISL on the Citizens Information website.