Home / Lifestyle / Silent Steps: Walking 1000 Miles to Fight Deaf Barriers
Silent Steps: Walking 1000 Miles to Fight Deaf Barriers
1 Jun
Summary
- Lecturer embarks on 1,000-mile solo walk to highlight deaf community barriers.
- Challenge raises funds for SignHealth, supporting deaf healthcare and advocacy.
- Goal is to inspire deaf individuals and shift societal attitudes towards inclusivity.
A university lecturer is currently walking 1,000 miles solo between Scotland and England to advocate for the deaf community. Avril Langard-Tang, a senior lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton, began her "Silent Steps" challenge on May 1st and anticipates completing it within eight to ten weeks. This arduous journey aims to raise funds for SignHealth, a charity dedicated to healthcare support and advocacy for deaf individuals.
Langard-Tang's mission is to "show what deaf people can achieve" and to illuminate the communication and access barriers often faced by the deaf community. She plans to cover 15 to 20 miles daily while continuing her work remotely. The challenge has already presented significant physical and mental hurdles, particularly due to unpredictable weather and challenging terrain encountered in Scotland.
Beyond fundraising, Langard-Tang is engaging with the deaf community along her route, organizing walks and interviews to foster discussions about access issues. She emphasizes that "Deaf people are not the problem - the barriers are," advocating for universally accessible services. Her personal experience, including struggles to find accessible bereavement counseling, motivates her support for SignHealth, highlighting the ongoing need for improved mental health support systems for deaf individuals.
