ASLI help make the first children's hospital for Wales a deaf-friendly place for patients and visitors

The Association of Sign Language Interpreters (ASLI) is helping the Noah's Ark Appeal to raise funds to build and equip the first children's hospital for Wales.

Not only did the Association raise £300 for the Appeal at their national conference last month but the South Wales branch of ALSI has now offered their expertise in order to make the Children's Hospital for Wales as deaf-friendly as possible.

Erika James, spokesperson for ASLI said "A stay in hospital can be a daunting time for a child but when the child is deaf, with additional communication needs, it can be far more difficult for all concerned. Our aim is to offer advice to the hospital on a range of issues such as training and equipment, even down to the right toys suitable for children with hearing loss. With over four thousand sign language users in Wales it is important that a deaf person visiting or working in the hospital is kept fully informed. We will therefore, be offering staff, deaf patients and deaf family members a professional interpreter service in British Sign Language."

For further information please contact:

NOAH'S ARK Appeal on 029 2033 5016

Erika James (ASLI) on 029 2056 0670

or visit the ASLI website at www.asli.org.uk