Leeds Society for Deaf and Blind People

Leeds Society for Deaf and Blind People

Leeds Society for Deaf and Blind People is a charity based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England that provides practical services to deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, blind and partially sighted people in the region. The charity has existed since 1866 and is one of the only charities of its kind in the country to provide services to those with both a hearing and/or visual impairment.

Work

The Society provides a broad range of services to those with a sensory impairment in the West Yorkshire region. These include a Sign Language Interpreting Service, equipment provision, social workers for profoundly deaf people, services for deafblind people, training courses and qualifications including a Taster Course, Levels 1–3 in British Sign Language, and Sensory Awareness.

The Society has worked in partnership with Leeds City Council since the 1950s, and currently acts as an arms-length service provider for a number of services. The Society also relies on voluntary donations and fundraising to deliver a number of services to the community. It fundraises through events including corporate golf days, sporting dinners and wine tasting evenings, although also relies heavily on the generosity of individuals and charitable trusts alike.

Leeds Society for Deaf and Blind People remains focused at all times on achieving better outcomes for vulnerable people and contributing to improving the wellbeing of all citizens of Leeds, by responding to need wherever possible and developing partnerships whenever they present themselves in every area of their work.

History

In 1866, the Vicar of Leeds, Revd D. R. Atley, convened a public meeting to form Leeds Incorporated Institution for the Blind and the Deaf and Dumb. A public appeal was launched in 1873 by the Mayor of Leeds, Mr H. R. Marsden, for funds for premises which led to the Albion Street premises being opened in 1876. The new building incorporated workshops for blind people, a service chapel for deaf people and areas for socialising. (This site has recently been converted into the present K2 building of luxury apartments.)

In 1917 the organisation became a registered charity and its Memorandum and Articles of Association were approved. In 1976, following the purchase of the former Leeds Public Dispensary, Centenary House was officially opened by H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh on 13 February.

More recently, in 1996 the name of the Society changed to Leeds Society for Deaf and Blind People. In 2004 Shire View Resource Centre for Visually Impaired People was welcomed under the banner of the Society. In 2008, Leeds Society for Deaf and Blind People took over the management of the city’s only braille and large print unit from Leeds City Council.

References

*UK charity|227169
*http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/features?articleid=2847728
*http://www.deafcouncil.org.uk/Leedsdb.htm


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Royal National Institute of Blind People — RNIB Established 1868 Chairman Kevin Carey Chief Executive Lesley Anne Alexander …   Wikipedia

  • National Library for the Blind — The National Library for the Blind (NLB) was a public library in the United Kingdom, founded 1882, which aimed to ensure that people with sight problems have the same access to library services as sighted people. NLB was taken over by RNIB on 1… …   Wikipedia

  • The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association — Guide Dogs logo Abbreviation Guide Dogs Formation December 0, 1934 (1934 00 00) (77 years ago) …   Wikipedia

  • New College Worcester — Address Whittington Road West Midlands Worcester, Worcestershire, WR52JX, England …   Wikipedia

  • Dorton House — Dorton House, formerly known as Wildernesse, is a Grade II listed Georgian mansion house in Seal, Kent, near Sevenoaks; it is currently used as the headquarters for the Royal London Society for the Blind and as housing for the blind and partially …   Wikipedia

  • Nalsvi — NALSVI, National Association of Local Societies for Visually Impaired People based in Doncaster, England is the umbrella organization serving over 120 UK Charities supporting local people with a visual impairment. NALSVI was established in 1990… …   Wikipedia

  • Dolphin Computer Access — is a British company that designs, creates and sells software for people who are blind or have vision and print impairments, Dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties. The company was set up in 1986 and now has offices in the UK, US and… …   Wikipedia

  • University of Leeds — Infobox University name = University of Leeds latin name = image size = 250px caption = motto = et augebitur scientia (and knowledge will be increased) established = 1831 Leeds School of Medicine 1887 Part of Victoria University 1904 Royal… …   Wikipedia

  • New Year Honours 2008 — The New Year Honours 2008 for the Commonwealth Realms were announced on 29 December 2007, [cite web| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7163660.stm| title= Parkinson and Minogue top honours] to celebrate the year passed and mark the beginning of… …   Wikipedia

  • 2008 New Year Honours — The New Year Honours 2008 for the Commonwealth Realms were announced on 29 December 2007,[1] to celebrate the year passed and mark the beginning of 2008. The recipients of honours are displayed here as they were styled before their new honour,… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”