The Royal Association for Deaf people (RAD) promotes the welfare and interests of Deaf people (by which we mean deaf people whose first or preferred language is sign language).

Founded in 1841, RAD is the oldest organisation in England for Deaf adults. RAD works with the Deaf community, Deaf clubs, Deaf individuals and the parents of Deaf children. Most of our work is in London, the East of England and the Southeast of England. RAD is organised around the following services (each is described below and has its own section on this website):

• Deaf Community Development
• Employment
• Families & Children
• Youth
• Legal Services
• Advocacy
• Work with Deaf people from ethnic minorities
• Learning Disability
• Mental Health
• Sign Language Interpreting
• Training

Deaf Community Development

We work with Deaf clubs throughout our area. These are autonomous, self help organisations. Many of them use RAD Centres.

RAD has a network of 10 Centres for Deaf people throughout Essex, London and the South East. The Centres offer social and leisure activities, drop-in sessions, lunch clubs, skills training and self help groups for families with deaf children, young people and elderly people. The activities available at each individual Centre reflect the needs of the local community and are user-lead.

Employment

Preparation for employment, support and skills for job seeking, support and mentoring in the early months of a new job.

Family and Youth Work

We employ a professional worker to support Family Groups (self help groups for families with deaf children, or Deaf parents).

Our team of trained youth workers organise youth clubs and other activites for young people and teenagers.

Legal Service

The RAD Legal Service offers deaf people assistance with a wide range of issues including benefits, finance, housing, employment, legal problems and consumer rights. Advice is available face to face in sign language at drop in surgeries, or by appointment. Enquiries are also welcomed via minicom, fax, e-mail and videophone. The RAD Legal Service is accredited with the Community Legal Services Quality Mark Level 2 (General Help and Advice).

Advocacy

The RAD Advocacy Service supports Deaf and Hard of Hearing people to enable them to achieve independence and greater control over their lives.

Learning Disability and Mental Health Services

All our work in these fields is based on person centred planning and the principles of Supported Living. Life skills groups for Deaf people with learning disabilities enable them to lead their lives with maximum choice, control and independence. Community Support Workers work with individuals in their homes and their communities.

RAD has committed itsself to develop a service for Deaf people with mental health challenges. Our service is currently based on a clubhouse model, and is a partnership with MIND.

Interpreting and Communication Support

The RAD Sign Language Bureau provides professionally qualified Interpreters to aid communication between deaf and hearing people. Covering London, East Anglia and the South East, the Agency can supply a range of communication support to meet the needs of Deaf, deafened and deafblind people. A nationwide Communication Support Directory can also be found on the RAD web site.

Training

RAD provides high quality courses in British Sign Language, Deaf Awareness, Deaf Studies, Communication Tactics, and Disability Equality Training. RAD courses are delivered by Deaf Tutors and can lead to nationally recognised qualifications, or be tailored to individual requirements. BSL classes are supported by signing clubs where students can practice their signing skills with native BSL users.