 | ROYAL ASSOCIATION IN AID OF DEAF PEOPLE (RAD) |
The Royal Association in aid of Deaf people (RAD) is a registered charity
which was founded in 1841. Today RAD strives to meet the individual needs of
Deaf children and adults and deafblind people through the provision of services
and the use of RAD Centres for Deaf People. The head office is based in
Colchester and RAD has four regional teams based in Essex, London, Surrey and
Kent. From 10 RAD Centres and other outreach points spread across south-east
England, RAD offers a variety of services which provide Deaf people with
facilities that meet the unique needs of the Deaf community. These services
include Family Groups, Special Needs Groups, Drop-in Days when advice, advocacy
and counselling are available, Day Care Luncheon Clubs, Teenage Groups, Hard of
Hearing Clubs and Equipment Needs Assessment. The training programme includes
British Sign Language Classes and Deaf Awareness training for individuals and
groups. RAD encourages Deaf people to set up and run their own Social Clubs, and
provides recreational facilities and meeting rooms as well as practical and
technical assistance. The RAD Sign Language Interpreting Agency provides professionally qualified
people to aid communication between Deaf and hearing people. British Sign
Language (BSL) is the first language of many Deaf people. There are many
situations where an interpreter may be needed. The list is endless and ranges
from job interviews and training, to doctor's and hospital appointments and
ante-natal classes. It includes police and court work, solicitor's appointments
and counselling sessions, meetings and conferences as well as weddings and
funerals. The RAD Chaplaincy service is especially important at crucial times in a
Deaf person's life. For example, using Sign Language, RAD chaplains administer
baptism and take weddings and funerals. Holy Communion is taken to the
housebound and the elderly who are often in residential homes. In addition
regular church services are held at RAD Centres and associated churches and
cathedrals.
Royal Association in aid of Deaf People
Walsingham Road
Colchester
Essex
CO2 7BP  01206 509509
 01206 769755
01206 577090 (text)
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