WORK FOR DEAF.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 199, 24 August 1939, Page 18

WORK FOR DEAF.

YEAR OF PROGRESS.

AIMS BEING FULFILLED.

TRAINING SCHEME,

"We feel now that we are advancing in the fulfilment of our objects, -which are to teach lip-reading to the hard of hearing of the Dominion in order that they may be happy in their home and economic life," eay« the president, Dr. J. Hardie Neil, in the annual report of the New Zealand League for the Hard of Hearing. The report will be presented at the annual meeting of the league at Myers Kindergarten this evening.

On behalf of the board of governors, Dr. Hardie Neil says the past year hae been marked by a very important forward step in the instruction of the hard of hearing. A scheme of training has been outlined which makes provision for the tuition of teachers in association with the Education Department.

"It is realised that success cannot result from our efforts in the teaching of lip-reading to the thousands of hard of hearing in the Dominion unless competent teachers are provided in the various centres," the president continues. "In addition to. students from the Training College, w$ are accepting teachers recommended by the branches and approved by the senior inspector of the education board of the district."

The majority of the class students come to the league at about middle age, when the handicap of poor hearing has affected them socially and" economically. The league, however, urges that as the condition of progressive deafnere shows itself in early adult life, lip-reading should be instituted as soon as the disability is noted.

The advance in the efficiency of hearing aids has continued, Dr. Hardie Xeil says, but he adds that all authorities agree that lip-reading should be the basic attainment for every hard of hearing person. The board is gratified at the installation '<in the Auckland branch of an efficient group hearing aid T®f gt**t value In fostering the social side of the work among the students.

Gratitude is .-.expressed to the Minister of Education, the Hon. P. Fraser, for his effective practical assistance in the teachers' training schema, which is believed to be the first in, operation in the Engliah-speaking world; to the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, for many years an active sympathiser; to the chairman of the Auckland Education Board, Mr. YV. J. Campbell, and the board as a whole; and to others who have given valuable assistance.

Detailed reports of activities at the league's four branches in the main centres of New Zealand will also be submitted at the meeting to-morrow night.