Empowering Hard of Hearing Citizens ( EHOHC)

ongoing

Empowering Hard of Hearing Citizens ( EHOHC) The European community of Hard of Hearing people is a diverse group, primarily relying on access to sound with hearing assistive technologies such as hearing aids and cochlear implants, also assistive listening devices (hearing loops), subtitling and real time captioning for effective communication. Access concerns around this group are still an emerging area in both research and implementation with low levels of awareness of the significant socio-economic consequences. The overall lack of both clear and specific best practice guidance on this in different EU member states, as well as the low levels of participation of hard of hearing associations (DPOs) nationally in policy have impeded inclusion and diversity implementation for the hard of hearing community. EHOHC is a project that seeks to address this by strengthening the capacity of EFHOH national member organisations of hard of hearing and deafened people to influence both national and European policy taking into account inclusive recovery and the needs of their members for accessible health, education and employment. The EHOHC seeks to protect, promote and raise awareness on rights of persons with disabilities, specifically hard of hearing and deafened people through its long-term mentoring, training and support programs that can strengthen the capacity of national member organisations. EHOHC will undertake a range of communication and engagement activities, in alignment with the European Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030 among hard of hearing organisations and their members to further promote the rights of persons with hearing loss in Europe.