Bury St Edmunds has been nominated for the ‘Hearing Dog Friendly Town’ Award based on the positive experiences of two local residents and their hearing dog.
Trevor and Jean Larke of Gloucester Road in Bury recently contacted Hearing Dogs for Deaf People to praise the town they live in and its service providers for the way it has welcomed them and their hearing dog Megan.
Jean Larke said:
“The positive responses we’ve received from shops, supermarkets, pubs, taxi and bus service providers has meant that having a hearing dog has opened up so many doors for us - that is why we have nominated our WonderfulTown which is now hearing dog and assistance dog friendly. Good luck Bury St Edmunds!”
Commenting on the good news, Nick Martin, Town Centre Manager said:
“Bury St Edmunds often receives accolades and the comments from Mr and Mrs Larke and resulting nomination prove that Bury is a wonderful town and we’d like to encourage local businesses to continue to support hearing dogs.”
Cllr Frank Warby, Portfolio Holder for Health, Housing and Crime said:
“St Edmundsbury is very keen to help people with disabilities and we have introduced a number of initiatives to help people when they are out and about in the borough, being nominated for this award reinforces the good work that has been done. We look forward to hearing the results of the nominations.”
Such initiatives include portable and fixed hearing loops and a Typetalk system which allows people who are deaf or have hearing problems to communicate with us by means of an intermediary using a text phone (minicom). Tactile surfacing has also been installed throughout the borough for those with visual impairments, including raised blisters on pathways to help people identify crossing points and cones that rotate underneath push button boxes on crossing signals, allowing people distinguish signals of the other side of the road. Tactile surfacing is also used to help visually impaired people to identify bus stops and many have large signs, written in Braille. Dropped kerbs can also be found throughout the borough, helping people who are visually impaired and those using wheelchairs.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Trevor and Jean Larke can be contacted for more information and photographs on 01284 754754
The Friendly Town Award is part of Hearing Dog Week running from 31 May to 6 June
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is a registered charity aiming to improve the quality of life for deaf people. The charity trains dogs to act as the ears for deaf people, and to provide companionship, confidence and greater independence
Hearing Dogs can be contacted on 01844 348100.
ISSUED BY MARIA ETHRIDGE, COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tel 01284 757033 Fax 01284 757032 maria.ethridge@stedsbc.gov.uk
