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.
left: Carol Roderick (centre) with her hearing dog Rilla presents the winning 2006 Hearing Dog Friendly Award for Calne to town Mayor Colin Viner and Chamber of Commerce representative Gill Dilley (far right)
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 making an effort and to encourage others to follow suit.
With nearly 30 nominations in 2005 and again in 2006 - it's reassuring to see that so many towns, cities and service providers are taking DDA regulations on board and helping to improve quality of life for deaf people by ensuring public places are accessible and people are friendly and welcoming.
In 2006, judges awarded gold, silver and bronze awards to shorlisted nominations, and named Calne in Wiltshire outright winners of the town / city category and the National Trust overall winners in the service provider category.
Click here to see all 2006 award winners:
Town / City
Gold Awards
Calne - 2006 winners
Epsom
Erewash
Silver Awards
Bexleyheath
Cottingham
Guernsey
Bronze Awards
Hungerford
Newbury
Newhaven
Service Providers
Gold Awards
The National Trust - 2006 winners
Bishop Auckland Hospital
Boundary Mill Shopping Centre, Colne
Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital
Paignton Library
Wycombe Hospital
Silver Awards
Dove Veterinary Surgery
Moto Service Stations
Sainsburys Harrogate
Somerfield Brighton
Somerfield Haslemere
Bronze Awards
Arndale Shopping Centre, Eastbourne
Chapelfield Shopping Centre, Norwich
Phoenix Taxis, Hastings
St Andrews Church, Leeds
WA Shearings (holiday company)
Hearing dogs come in all shapes and sizes but all are trained and cared for to the same high standard as guide dogs. In recognition of this fact, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health & The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland authorise that hearing dogs should be permitted into public places such as those that feature here.
Read more about each of the winners on our press releases page.
Friendly Award from Gemma Baxter. Epsom was nominated by Eileen Jeans, pictured here with her hearing dog Sooty (left) and puppy socialisers for the Charity Annette Pollock with hearing dog puppy Nixie and Clarice Pell with CoasterWe will soon be announcing the Gold, Silver and Bronze award winners for 2007. Watch this space for futher details.
If you want to nominate your 2008. You can nominate your tow, city or service by emailing Jenny Moir or writing to her at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, The Grange, Wycombe Road, Saunderton, Princes Risborough, Bucks, HP27 9NS.
Click here to see all the 2005 winners:
Town / City
Gold Awards
St Austell - 2005 winners
Eastbourne
Enfield
Silver Awards
Goole
Market Weighton
Seaford
Selby
St Albans
Windsor
Bronze Awards
Glenrothes
Guernsey
Plymouth 
Service Providers
Gold Awards
Acorn Pet Centre, Airdire
Asda, Minworth
Emily's Cafe, Eastbourne
Laleham Golf Club
Netto Supermarket, Market Weighton
Sheffield Theatres
Silver Awards
Air Wales
Brook House Veterinary
Ocean City Chinese Restaurant
Silverdale B&B, Seaford
South Downs Holiday Village
Bronze Awards
Computerbase, Plymouth
