Deaf Brothers' Deaths Raise Isolation Concerns

Deaf News: Deaf rights campaigners plead for recognition to prevent more tragedies like death of Daniel and William McCarthy.



DUBLIN -- Irish Examiner: The Irish Deaf Society said that, if given official status, Irish Sign Language would have to be used in State services and Deaf people would be less at risk of isolation.



Eddie Redmond, the society’s chief executive, said: “The Deaf community face huge barriers in accessing services due to the lack of services available through Irish Sign Language.



“Services such as social workers, home help, the HSE etc need to be more aware of the needs of Deaf people and the importance of communication and provision of information through ISL.”



Mr Redmond was speaking following the discovery of the bodies of semi-reclusive brothers, Daniel and William McCarthy, at their home in Dublin on Tuesday.



Originally from Kerry, the brothers, in their 70s, were Deaf with limited verbal communication, and lived together in a terraced home at the Millrose Estate in Bluebell, Dublin for many years.



Daniel is understood to have run the household and became carer for William in recent years. It is believed that he passed away several weeks ago and William was unable - or felt unable - to seek help.



Their remains were found by gardaí after a neighbour noticed Daniel’s car had not moved for some time and there had been no sign of either brother outside the house. Their deaths are expected to be referred to the coroner’s court for an inquest but foul play has been ruled out.



The Health Service Executive (HSE) declined to say if the brothers were in contact with any of its services in recent times or if it was reviewing any interactions they may have had.



A statement said: “The HSE cannot comment on individual cases but would like to offer sincere sympathy to the McCarthy family at this time.”



Groups working with older people urged people with concerns for their own well-being, or that of a neighbour, not to be afraid to knock on a door.



Alone said older people should be encouraged to approach their neighbours for help, while Age Action asked younger people not to worry about appearing nosy if they enquired after an older person in their community... Read More at Irish News.



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Ireland Ignores Legal Recognition Sign Languages

Deaf News: Sign language gives tens of thousands of Irish people the priceless gift of communication but it's still unrecognised as an official language by the Irish State.

DUBLIN, IRELAND - Now, 40 local authorities are heaping pressure on the Government to fully recognise Irish Sign Language (ISL) as an official language, the Sunday Independent has learned.



More than a year after the Seanad rejected a bill to legally recognise ISL, county and city councils, all over the country, have passed a motion on the issue to "help put pressure on local TDs".



After more than 30 years of campaigning, Eddie Redmond CEO of the Irish Deaf Society (IDS) says the community still feels hugely isolated and ignored at national level.



Speaking through an interpreter, Mr Redmond said: "The Government have been avoiding the issue. There is huge uproar among the Deaf community, because we are cut off from access to information.



"Every citizen should have access to services as a human right, and until there is adequate provision, the Deaf community will continue to be discriminated against and there will be a constant invalidation," he said.



Eight years ago, the Irish government signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which contains duties towards native sign languages. To date, Ireland remains one of the few European countries that have not ratified the convention into law.



Meanwhile, 45 other countries - including the UK and Northern Ireland - have granted legal status to their own unique sign language... Read more: http://independent.ie/irish-news/news/deaf-community-roar-for-recognition-of-sign-language.html



Recognition of sign languages listing:

The legal recognition of sign languages