Hands That Talk Founder Nominated for Signature Award

Story from Limavady Chronicle

Dorothy Hegarty, founder of Hands That Talk in Dungiven, has been nominated for an award with Signature, the qualifications awarding body for signed languages and other methods of communication used by deaf and deafblind people.

The Signature Annual Awards aim to recognise outstanding achievement by those who, in their own way, have made a significant contribution towards a society in which deaf people have full access.

Dorothy has been nominated for The Joseph Maitland Robinson Award for Outstanding Contribution and this nomination recognises Dorothy's hard work and the commitment and determination for Hands That Talk to help to improve services and communication for deaf people.

Jim Edwards, CEO of Signature, said: "With an MBE already under her belt we were delighted to learn that Dorothy's involvement with the Deaf Community was being further recognised and commended through our awards ceremony.

Through Hands that Talk Dorothy promotes social inclusion for deaf people and truly is an inspiration. The Signature Annual Awards are about recognising excellence in communications between deaf and hearing people and we're looking forward to sharing these successes at the ceremony in London."

Dorothy is overwhelmed to have been nominated for a Joseph Maitland Award and will travel to the event being held at a glittering ceremony at London's Crowne Plaza Hotel, St James, in November.

Talking this week from Hands That Talk's main office in Dungiven, Dorothy said: "I am delighted to be nominated for an award like this but I feel it is an award for all the people, staff and volunteers who have worked and contributed to Hands That Talk's success over the past ten years. It is a huge honour to be short listed as I am aware of the many people who help the deaf community across Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Hands That Talk are the largest deaf charity based in North West so it really means something that our area will be represented in London."

Hands That Talk have had a huge impact on the lives of many deaf people since its formation in February 2000 when Dorothy, a retired teacher, met Siobhan McKeever from Dungiven, a past pupil. When Dorothy retired she would meet Siobhan on a regular basis in the town but communication was non-existent apart from a smile of recognition.

At this point, Dorothy set about finding a Sign Language class to learn how to sign so that she could communicate effectively with Siobhan. A few months passed and Dorothy decided to run Sign Language classes locally and Hands That Talk was born and has since become the largest organisation of its kind providing a broad range of services for the deaf and hard of hearing communities.

The birth of Hands That Talk has seen many life changing initiatives in education, social and recreational fields as well as providing training, Irish Sign Language and British Sign Language classes, employment and a communication support service for deaf people.

It has now established itself as a forward thinking organisation which is at the forefront of service provision which promotes meaningful social inclusion for deaf and hard of hearing people.

In 2007, Hands That Talk was awarded £500,000 from the Reaching Communities Programme within the Big Lottery Fund to provide core staff salaries, some project and running costs over the next five years - testimony to the work which Dorothy started.

Siobhan McKeever, who inspired the establishment of Hands That Talk, had this to communicate: "My life has turned around completely. I was very isolated in this community when I left school. Through my involvement as a volunteer in Hands That Talk, I have become more confident, met many friends and achieved NVQ3 Irish Sign Language and ECDL.

"I feel that I belong here and that my opinions are respected. I could never have imagined that I would have gained so much and I owe a lot to Dorothy; nothing is too much for her, she is always there for us, she has changed my life."

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