Swansea East Assembly Member Mike Hedges has today welcomed the news that the Welsh Government is providing funding of £202,000 to train lip reading tutors in Wales in an effort to tackle the social isolation that many of Wales’ deaf and hard of hearing community still face.
The funding, announced jointly by the Health Minister Lesley Griffiths, Finance Minister Jane Hutt and Education Minister Leighton Andrews, will go towards training 12 lip reading tutors and will also help to fund classes for those who wish to learn lip reading.
Speaking on the announcement, Mike Hedges AM, said:
“I’m delighted by this announcement from the Welsh Government. Improving provisions and services for the deaf and hard of hearing community in Wales has been an issue that I have been continuously campaigning on since entering the Assembly.
“Regardless of the causes of hearing loss, the stark reality is that this condition affects one in six of us but despite this shocking figure, Wales currently has very few qualified lip reading tutors in place.
“I’m therefore pleased that the Welsh Government has recognised the need to invest in more lip reading tutors to help tackle the problem of social isolation that many members of the deaf and hard of hearing community still face.”
Health Minister Lesley Griffiths said:
“Lip reading is a vital communication skill and can help people avoid social isolation and live life independently.”
Finance Minister Jane Hutt said:
“I accept that we need more lip reading tutors to work across Wales to train people with hearing loss and I am pleased to announce funding which will increase significantly the provision of courses in Wales.”
Education Minister Leighton Andrews added:
“I’m pleased that the Welsh Government has been able provide this significant funding to train lip reading tutors in Wales. Lip reading is an extremely valuable skill and I’m sure that this announcement will benefit many of Wales’ deaf and hard of hearing learners.”
