Past and Present

The Society was founded in 1947 and was originally called The Jersey Society for the Deaf and was founded by Miss Enid Le Feuvre, MBE who was a Deputy of the States of Jersey.  Miss Le Feuvre saw that there was a need for a group to help deaf and hard of hearing people and the Society was formed.

The Jersey Society for the Deaf was one of the first members of the Jersey Association of Charities, which was founded in 1971.  

As you would expect the role of the Society has changed dramatically over the years and it is our belief that it is important to embrace change in order to ensure the Society's longevity. It is for this reason that in 2012 the Society changed its name to Jersey dDeaf Society.  The dDeaf symbolizing that we are here for the benefit of anyone with a hearing loss of any kind.

The Society also welcomes both hearing and dDeaf people as members. 

Projects we are and have been involved with:

• Donation to the State of Jersey Fire Service to enable them to purchase specialist smoke detectors with vibration pads and carbon monoxide detectors for hearing impaired residents. (2015)
• Donation to Highlands College to enable a British Sign Language Level 3 course to run.(2014)
• Donation of hearing loop systems to some public buildings to facilitate better hearing conditions for hearing aid users , enabling them to use the 'T' (hearing loop function) on their hearing devices.(2013)
• Purchase specialist environmental aids for hearing impaired members and/or residents of Jersey who are on Income Support. (This is an going project)
• Donation towards the setting up of the Hearing Resource Centre.
• Donation of £75,000 to the States of Jersey to enable the Audiology Department to prescribe Digital Hearing Aids.

Background

According to studies carried out by the Royal National Institute of the Deaf, now called Action on Hearing Loss, approximately 15% of any community will fall within the definition of "Deaf and Hard of Hearing".

This means that approximately 14,000 people in Jersey may have one form of hearing impairment or another.  Over 4,500 clients have been issued with hearing aids by the Audiology Department of the Hospital since 1976.

Children and adults with hearing impairment encounter serious communication difficulties, which can lead to disavantages at home, school, work and in the community.  An Association to help alleviate this was therefore set up in 1995 consisting of:

• (Jersey Society for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing) Jersey dDeaf Society
• (Jersey Society for Deaf Children & Young Adults) Earsay
• Citibank
• Department of Health & Social Services

This culminated in the HRC (Hearing Resource Centre) being opened in 1995 by the Bailiff, Sir Philip Bailhache.  The HRC'sfacilities are available to all, without referral, and it is hoped that the needs of all residents of Jersey with hearing impairment will be met at some point. 

Services Provided by the HRC

The HRC provides a focus for both public and voluntary organisations as well as professionals.  Services include, but are not limited to

• A meeting place for groups and individuals
• A library of information to improve the quality of life for people with hearing impairment
• Working displays of environmental equipment