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| Image from Toxi: http://www.iamtoxi.co.uk/ |
The first Deaf Lounge has opened in North London last month.
The social venue for people with
hearing impairments offers deaf karaoke, pool and darts games and all the staff
are trained in sign language.
Paul Cripps, who has been deaf since
birth and co-owned the specialist bar with non-deaf Domani Peir, came up with
the idea after years of negative experiences in bars and clubs.
“I’ve
had problems ordering drinks, talking to fellow clubbers and sometimes even
getting into clubs,” Mr Cripps said.
The Deaf Lounge is about fun in a
club-style social environment, but with added benefits for the
hearing-impaired.
Along with specifically trained
staff, in fact, customers can appreciate bright lightning to see each other speak
with signs, and pens and paper are provided for writing messages.
The fire alarm has a flashing light
to alert deaf visitors and lavatory notices are in sign language as well as in written
English.
On top of that, the bar supports hearing-impaired
staff, too. There is a deaf security guard and a partially deaf DJ.
The special lounge also welcomes
non-deaf communities.
“I’m
eager that it encourages deaf people to socialise with the wider society. For
example the bar will play music and that’s really important to attract non-deaf
customers,” Mr Cripps added.
The hearing-impaired will experience
music through vibrations, instead.
Ms Peir and Mr Cripps are also
planning to set up salsa, zumba and DJ workshops where deaf people will be
taught to read beats and play instruments.
For further information please visit: www.deaflounge.com
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