Lip Service Award

Story from the Reading Chronicle.

A Reading lip-reading expert has scooped a top national award. Sara Scanlon, 51, was named Communication Professional of the Year at the Signature Annual Awards in recognition of her work as a lipspeaker for the deaf.

Lipspeaking is a speech technique which helps hearing impaired people to understand speech and Sara is a mentor for those studying for a career in the profession. She lives in east Reading and, as honorary secretary of the Association of Lipspeakers has developed and teaches training courses and she also volunteers on Hearing Concern group holidays.

Signature chief executive Jim Edwards said: "This category had some very strong and varied contenders, but after much deliberation, Sara was the judges' number one. We're all really pleased for her."

"Lipspeaking is a very special skill and is hugely important for supporting communication between deaf and hearing people."

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