"My hearing dog Tess means life after deafness for me. There is nothing I can’t do with Tess by my side. I have returned to work again, we go shopping together; I am learning BSL at college in the evening. We take part in raising awareness of deaf issues and are first in the queue to do a talk about the wonderful bond we both share together. We have been stars on our local radio station and have fought with discrimination at being allowed to be together in a courtroom. Together we can achieve anything."
Sheila Walker
Hearing Dog Friendly
Hearing dogs are registered assistance dogs and as such should be afforded the same access to public places as guide dogs. With the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) now law, it is even more important for cities, towns and service providers to show they are compliant with the regulations.
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People holds an annual Hearing Dog Friendly challenge to recognise and encourage good practice. It’s an opportunity to publicly acknowledge and thank people who are welcoming hearing dogs, and a way of encouraging others to follow suit.
We received many nominations from our hearing dog recipients in 2007.The widest variety of establishments to date were in the running for the awards including hospitals, a dental practice, airlines,shops and theatres. It’s reassuring to see that so many towns, cities and service providers are taking DDA regulations on board and helping to improve the quality of life for deaf people by ensuring public places are accessible and staff are friendly and welcoming.
As with the previous years the nominations fell into two categories, Town / City and Service Provider.
Judges awarded gold, silver and bronze certificates to shortlisted nominations, with one outright winner in each category. This year Sittingbourne in Kent was victorious in the Town / City category and the London Palladium took the honour in the Service Provider category.
Town/City
Overall winner
Sittingbourne
right: Glen Tallett, with his hearing dog Milly, presents the winning 2007
Hearing Dog Friendly Award
for Sittingbourne to Mayor Cllr John Morris.
Gold award
Hull City
Silver award
Merseyside
Service Provider
Overall winner
London Palladium
left: West End star, and winner of the BBC hit show ‘How do you solve a problem like Maria?’ Connie Fisher accepts the London Palladium’s 2007 Hearing Dog Friendly award following their victory in the Service Provider category.The award was presented by Annette Aldridge, with her hearing dog Denzel.
Gold award
The Grand Theatre, Blackpool
Newcastle General Hospital, Diabetes Centre
Inverclyde Royal Hospital
Kempston Dental Practice, Bedford
right: Caroline Ashby, practice manager at Kempston Dental Practice accepts their Gold hearing dog friendly award fromSusan Cardwell, with her hearing dog Twinkle
Silver award
Le Monde, Wolverhampton
Active Age Centre, Liverpool
Stella Books, Monmouthshire
Salvation Army Church, Salisbury
Eastern Airways
Fenwicks Food Hall, Newcastle
Sainsbury Supermarket Marus Bridge
right: Captain Roger Beresford and cabin attendant Penelope Purvis accepts Eastern Airways silver hearing dog friendly award which is presented by Ian Joyce, with his hearing dog Hettie, following their flight with the airline.
Bronze award
Rusts Supermarket, Prestwood
Café Met, Stockport
Brinkburn Centre, Newcastle
Due to 2008 being the Year of the Assistance Dog, we are suspending the Hearing Dog Friendly Award in favour of the Dog Star Awards, which will be jointly presented by all five AD(UK) charities. For more information about Year of the Assistance Dog click here.