Lions Club

Services provided by Lions clubs for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing include:

• hearing awareness
• hearing screenings
• communications aids for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing
• recreational camps for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing
• support for the Deaf or hard of hearing community

In 2002-03, Lions donated more than US$4.3 million and volunteered more than 292,000 hours to hearing-related service projects. Lions are invited to share news of their successful service projects for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Lions clubs often provide communications aids for deaf and hard of hearing persons in the community. These aids include:

• sign language
• hearing devices
• hearing dogs

Sign Language

Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing can use many different methods of oral and written communications.

• Sign language
• Gesturing
• Finger spelling
• Speech reading
• Speech
• Reading
• Writing
• Graphics

Various sign language formats are used throughout the world. In the United States and parts of Canada , American Sign Language (ASL) is used among persons who are deaf. The grammatical structure of ASL is different from the grammatical structure of English. British Sign Language (BSL) is used in England .

International sign language (previously known as Gestuno) is used by participants of the World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf. This language features elements from various sign languages around the world.

Lions can serve those who use sign language by:

• sponsoring community-based sign language classes;
• providing scholarships for deaf persons who want to attend sign-language classes;
• providing scholarships for persons studying to become teachers of sign-language;
• arranging for the participation of deaf persons in vocational training programs;
• providing sign-language interpreters for deaf persons who require assistance during meetings with lawyers or doctors.

Hearing Devices

Lions clubs often collect used hearing aids. These devices are then reconditioned and redistributed.

Hearing Dogs

Lions clubs provide support to schools that raise and train service dogs for the deaf.

Lions Clubs International does not endorse any particular assistance dog facility. Information about assistance dog facilities is compiled and shared with Lions and the general public. For information, contact the Program Development Department at executiveservices@lionsclubs.org .

These specialized service dogs are trained to alert their owners to everyday sounds such as: the cry of a baby; an alarm clock; a doorbell; a telephone; and a smoke detector alarm. Upon hearing the sound, the dog leads the owner to the source of the sound.

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
300 W 22ND ST
OAK BROOK IL 60523-8842