The Gozo Association
for the Deaf (G.A.D.) was founded on 21st May 1988. The first
hearing impaired members were twelve in number. These were
children and young adults who were born with a hearing loss.
Eventually membership was extended to other persons who became
hearing impaired adventitiously, and since on the island of
Malta, there
are no organizations for hearing impaired persons which address
their problems, the G.A.D. began to accept Maltese members
too. At present there are 192 members enrolled in the G.A.D.,
102 are Gozitan while 90 are Maltese.
The G.A.D. is a non profitable
organization run by a few volunteers who dedicate their time
constantly and consistently to carry out the work entailed
in the services and activities that are respectively provided
and organized by the G.A.D.
The chief aims of the G.A.D.
is to support hearing impaired persons and their families.
It also supports other organizations and institutions which
have similar interests and/or provide services for hearing
impaired persons. It advocates for quality services to be
provided for these persons so that they are able to develop
and use all their potential in order to live harmoniously
in an all inclusive society.
Meetings for members, public
lectures, seminars, exhibitions, participation in EU Projects,
national and international events, keeping in contact with
national and international professionals and organizations
are among the various activities undertaken by the G.A.D.
The G.A.D. also has its
own centre where free counselling and advice on audiological
and educational matters are given. At the Centre there is
a testing room equipped with an audiometer and a hearing aid
analyser, where the audiologist carries out hearing tests
and tests hearing aids. There is also a Resource Room where
members and interested persons can borrow books, journals,
audio and video tapes on hearing impairment. The hall of the
Centre is equipped with an induction loop system. This helps
hearing aid users to understand speech better whenever social,
educational and cultural activities are organized.
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