This year's Deaf Awareness Week will run 1st - 7th May and will be supported by more than 250 deaf charities and organisations, under the umbrella of the UK and Scottish Councils on Deafness.

All organisations and employers should be looking at ways of ensuring they are equal access providers, and if they are not they should be seriously looking at removing barriers to improve access for Deaf and hard of hearing people.

One of the most concerning barriers Deaf people face on a daily basis, is not having access to fire alarm warnings in public access buildings and places of work. Something most hearing people take for granted, but for Deaf people a fire alarm evacuation can be frightening and impose great danger!

Deaf Alerter plc, the UK's leading provider of fire alarm warning and messaging systems for Deaf and hard of hearing people, is offering organisations and employers the opportunity to attend a free seminar, accredited by The Construction Service's Continuing Professional Development program. The seminar is entitled: 'Fire Safety for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People: the Law and the Solutions', and is aimed at raising awareness about the lack of fire safety provision for Deaf people. It identifies what the law requires by looking at Acts such as the Disability Discrimination Act and the Fire Act.

Bob Bertram, (Fire Safety Adviser for The Scottish Parliament), has previously attended the CPD and commented: "From a personal Continuing Professional Development perspective, I recommend attending the seminar, it is an excellent way to gain an understanding of the barriers faced by Deaf students, employees and visitors and one of the options to achieve safe access and egress in an emergency fire situation".

If you would like to attend the seminar for free at one of the below venues, please book on-line at the CPD Service website or email marketing@deaf-alerter.com for further information.

Glasgow, Tuesday 9th May 2007 - Swallow Hotel
Edinburgh, Wednesday 10th May 2007 - Marriot Hotel