Oxford News
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People urges people to be aware
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, which has a puppy training hub in South Oxfordshire, shared the call during Deaf Awareness Week (4–10 May).
The charity highlighted ongoing challenges faced by deaf individuals, despite increasing awareness of hearing loss.
David Robson, a spokesperson for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, said: “Hearing dogs provide life-changing support for deaf people, alerting them to important and often life-saving sounds, as well as helping them feel more independent and more connected.
“But inclusion goes beyond the work of our dogs – it’s about how we all communicate and interact every day.
“Small changes in behaviour can make a huge difference.”
To mark Deaf Awareness Week, the charity has published ten practical tips for communicating with deaf people.
The advice includes making sure you have someone’s attention before speaking, facing them so they can lipread, and avoiding covering your mouth or speaking while eating.
Other suggestions include speaking clearly without exaggerating, using written communication if needed, and learning basic British Sign Language (BSL).
Maxine Clare, who was partnered with her hearing dog Walter in 2016, described the isolation that can come with hearing loss.
Ms Clare said: “When my own hearing loss deteriorated, I discovered just how isolating deafness can be.
“It wasn’t just about missing sounds; it was missing that connection with people.
“If I didn’t respond, people assumed I was ignoring them.
“I’ve been pushed, dragged, screamed at, and sworn at – just because I didn’t hear people asking me to move.
“These moments are what make me so passionate about deaf awareness.
“Walter wears a burgundy jacket that signals he’s a hearing dog.
“That jacket does more than grant access; it sparks conversations and breaks down barriers.
“If I could leave you with one thought it would be that next time, if someone doesn’t respond when you’re talking to them, instead of feeling affronted, embarrassed, or frustrated, maybe your first thought should be, ‘perhaps they’re deaf.’”
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People trains dogs to alert deaf people to vital sounds, such as smoke alarms, doorbells and even baby monitors.
The charity has developed a practical guide called ‘It Matters’, which offers simple advice to help people communicate more effectively and confidently with deaf people.
The guide reinforces the message that everyone deserves to feel included and that small actions can make a big difference.
It can be downloaded at www.hearingdogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/communication-guide.
The Thames Valley Police Abingdon unit arrested a man for “breaching court bail conditions” on Saturday, August 29.
A spokesperson said: “On Saturday, PC Hackett attended reports of a male breaching court bail conditions.
READ MORE: Public told ‘DO NOT APPROACH’ as wanted man sighted in Oxford centre
“With assistance from PC Ellingworth and PC Harvey, the male was arrested. Following a search, a knife was recovered from his possession.”
In a wide ranging update, the force also revealed it had supported in a “concern for welfare incident linked to the night-time economy.
In addition, it had carried out licensing checks across Abingdon with drug wipes used and sent off for testing
OXFORD Mail Camera Club members have been taking photos of their dogs
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The collision happened on the southbound carriageway between Junction 6 for Lewknor and Junction 5 for Watlington in the late morning on Saturday, August 29.
The emergency services attended the scene and closed the road,
National Highways said lanes two and three of the three-lane motorway were shut as a result while crews dealt with the incident, leading to delays of around 40 minutes.
Congestion was worsened by separate lane closures between Junctions 4 and 5 in both directions following damage to the central reservation from an earlier incident.
Traffic built up on approaches to the crash, with nearby areas including Stokenchurch and Lewknor also affected.
Images from traffic cameras showed long queues of vehicles and emergency workers at the scene throughout the afternoon.
AA Travel also reported that one lane was closed on the northbound carriageway between Handy Cross and Stokenchurch due to emergency repairs.
National Highways later confirmed that all southbound lanes between Junctions 6 and 5 had reopened and that the lane closures linked to the earlier incident were also being removed.
Despite the reopening, delays of around 40 minutes remained on the approach as traffic slowly returned to normal.
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