Janine Roebuck, the world’s only profoundly deaf opera singer, celebrated deaf success with celebrities and parliamentarians at a landmark event aimed at challenging perceptions of what deaf people can do and achieve.
Janine, from Nine Elms, first began to lose her hearing while at university and had bilateral cochlear Implants six years ago, aged 65, which completely transformed her life. She shared her story alongside Strictly Come Dancing star and proud cochlear implant user Tasha Ghouri, parliamentarians and deaf people from across the UK. The event (on Tuesday November 4th) at Speaker’s House in the House of Commons hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Deafness celebrated achievements across sport, culture, media and business, as well as the diversity of deafness and discussed what else needs to be done so deaf people can thrive in education, employment, and everyday life.
Janine, has now retired from her operatic career but remains a passionate advocate for people of all ages who are deaf. In addition to being Patron of Auditory Verbal UK (AVUK) she worked with Music and the Deaf to teach deaf children to sing.
She said: “It’s an honour to attend this wonderful event in Parliament celebrating deaf achievement and the diversity of deafness. All these amazing deaf attendees are challenging misconceptions of what deaf people can do and achieve. We are showing how by working together we can ensure all deaf children and adults can achieve their potential and thrive, as well as highlighting the importance of all deaf children having access to early, effective support to develop language and communication, whether they use sign language, spoken language or both.”
AVUK is the only UK charity offering Auditory Verbal therapy which helps deaf children process sound they receive from hearing technology, like hearing aids and cochlear implants, and supports them to develop language so they can learn to talk like their hearing friends. Around 80% of deaf children who spend at least two years on an Auditory Verbal therapy programme graduate with age-appropriate spoken language. Currently less than 10% of deaf children can access an Auditory Verbal therapy programme through public funded services in the UK.
AVUK Chief Executive Anita Grover, who is profoundly deaf and uses a cochlear implant, said: “Deaf children and adults have long been underestimated, with expectations set far too low. This event, bringing together inspiring advocates, shows that opportunities for deaf people can be limitless. Early and effective support for deaf children to develop language and communication, whether families wish to use sign language, spoken language or both, is absolutely vital to breaking down barriers to opportunities. Enabling equitable access to early support is key to ensuring every deaf child has the best start in life.”
The APPG on Deafness reception was hosted by Catherine Atkinson MP and supporting organisations RNID, the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS), SignHealth, as well as AVUK, and Convo.
The APPG was also attended by host of names from the worlds of culture, sport and entertainment, including poet and writer Raymond Antrobus, GB Deaf Tennis Champion and Deaflympic competitor Charlie Denton, actor and model Georgia Meacham and the author and actor Samantha Baines. Also in attendance were Vice-chairs of the APPG: Alison Griffiths MP, and Baggy Shanker MP.
AVUK is proud to support the APPG on Deafness which is a cross-party group of parliamentarians (MPs in the House of Commons and Peers in the House of Lords). The group has a shared vision of ensuring all deaf people can thrive, including improving NHS audiology services and ensuring early and effective language and communication support for deaf children.
Central to AVUK’s vision is for all deaf children to have early access to effective support to develop language and communication, whether families wish to use sign language, spoken language or both. Its Hear Us Now campaign is calling for urgent Government investment to ensure equitable access to Auditory Verbal therapy for all deaf children under five.
AVUK works with families across the UK and has bases in London, Oxfordshire and Leeds. Specialist Auditory Verbal Therapists equip parents and caregivers with strategies and support to develop their child’s listening and talking skills through play-based activities. Its internationally accredited training programme in Auditory Verbal practice enabling speech and language therapists and teachers of the deaf in the NHS and Local Authority sensory services to train in this approach which is part of mainstream provision in other countries. Auditory Verbal UK is working with organisations around the world to help create a sound future for deaf children.
