Cork Deaf Association to honour Susan’s 25 years of advocacy

The Cork Deaf Association (CDA) will mark this year’s national Irish Sign Language (ISL) Day by honouring its advocacy officer, Susan O’Callaghan, for her 25-year contribution.

This year, Ms O’Callaghan helped the CDA to improve deaf-awareness training across the public service, including HSE, Tusla, Revenue, Cork City and County Councils, UCC, and soon with An Garda Síochána.

As a deaf woman, Ms O’Callaghan understands the challenges of accessing essential services.

She said: “I was really encouraged by public-sector staff and how much people wanted to learn when I did the training with them. They just needed the right knowledge and guidance. Deaf people face barriers at every stage of life. The lack of equal access creates huge frustration and it can also be high risk. I often meet deaf people who are left confused after medical appointments, because no interpreter was provided.

“Many deaf people struggle to advocate for themselves, not because they lack the will, but because the system often places obstacles in their way, leaving them discouraged and feeling unheard.”

Some 634 public-service staff have been tutored so far. CDA also launched Ireland’s first deaf-awareness module on HSELandD, the HSE’s national learning platform.

Gerrie O’Grady, CDA executive manager, said Ms O’Callaghan continues to be a “powerful advocate” for the deaf community. “She brings so much experience, heart, and clarity to her work. The CDA has shown that this training is urgently needed and strongly welcomed. We are ready to continue this work. But ongoing, dedicated government funding for deaf awareness is essential, so that we can. I am confident together we can.”

Celebrations will take place across Ireland on Sunday, December 14 to mark ISL Day.