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 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.
In Arizona, USA, the Lions of Multiple District 21 routinely undertake the recycling of hearing aids as a community service project.
The Lions of Algoa Bay, Republic of South Africa, informed the local newspapers of their "Break the Silence Campaign." As a result, the Lions collected and recycled 200 hearing aids.
In Oregon (USA), Lions placed collection boxes for used hearing aids and eyeglasses in local grocery stores. The hearing aids are sold to local hearing aid rebuilders. When someone in the community needs a hearing aid, the rebuilders provide the device to the Lions at reduced cost.
To locate the hearing aid drop-off site nearest you, click here programs@lionsclubs.org.
Click here to access the Lions publication, Technological devices for people who are hearing impaired (IAD-9).
 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: programs@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.
Hearing dog projects completed by Lions clubs include:
- In Florida, USA, the Lions of District 35-R financed the training of hearing dogs.
Clubs offer support for hearing dog programs in the following ways:
- volunteer to care for puppies before they enter a formal training program;
- volunteer at hearing dog training organizations;
- donate funds to hearing dog training organizations;
- finance the training of a hearing dog for a particular deaf or hard of hearing person from the community.
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