Communicating in a Covid world (2)

Association of Teachers of Lipreading to Adults (ATLA)

 ATLA was formed over 40 years ago. Its aim is to create a world where lipreading classes are available to anyone who needs them.  It is a membership organisation for qualified lipreading teachers.  It supports the teachers with training days, bi-monthly news bulletins and a Wiki where members exchange ideas and teaching material.  Teaching material is also shared by members in the bi-annual magazine “Catchword” which includes articles relating to the subject, news items and reports from the officers of the board of Trustees. Once a year, usually in January, regional representatives from the members are invited to a meeting to ask questions of the Board and also to provide ideas and suggestions.  All of this provides the opportunity to gather fresh teaching material and up to date information which can be shared with their class members.

ATLA has a website to raise awareness of lipreading classes to members of the public.  The website includes information about lipreading, a search facility for finding local lipreading classes and other relevant information, such as managing hearing loss. ATLA also has a Facebook Page.

ATLA liaises with Lipreading Teacher Training Course providers.  Trainee lipreading teachers can apply to ATLA for bursaries towards their course.  Qualified teachers can apply for a grant to help set up classes where a need has been identified but a class is not provided by the Local Education Authority (LEA) or other class providers.

Webinar: `Ways to improve communication for patients inside and outside the consulting room as everyone is currently distancing from each other or wearing some form of face covering.’

•  Impact of social distancing and face-covering for Deaf/ hard of hearing people
•  What you (the audiologist) can do to help patients
•  What patients can do to help themselves
• The technology available to help (limited cover)