ERGON STORY

About Ergon

Our work is encompassed in four key themes. Our programs, devised in partnership with our local partners, cross fertilise these themes- making them unique, different and importantly - Deaf led!

Rights

We’re about ensuring that D/deaf people are able to self-determine and self advocate; accessing support in the communication choice- eg. Sign Language, sign supported aural method, oral method or other. Whatever it is – Deaf have a RIGHT to self express and self represent!

That D/deaf people have a right to be protected from physical, mental, sexual, violent abuse and neglect. That they have a right to protection.

That Professionals working with Ergon understand the rights of D/deaf and accord them appropriate access and protection.

Our work is rights based and we expect all our partners to be the same.

Livelihoods

We want D/deaf people to develop skills for work and to ensure sustainable employment and livelihood opportunities.

Those Deaf people who head up a family or who are caring for sick parents/siblings have the right to work.

We want to support local D/deaf enterprises and entrepreneurship; to enable the development of self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-determination – to empower D/deaf people to be whom they want to be!

Access to Appropriate Technology

We want to empower D/deaf people and their families to make the best use of technology; to test, trial and adapt new approaches that deliver true inclusion.

To enable D/deaf rights, healthcare and education providers to utilise technologies so that D/deaf people exercise their right to access quality service provision.

Wellbeing

We’re about making sure the global health and development community responds to the unique communication, cultural and linguistic needs of D/deaf.

We’re passionate that D/deaf people access quality ear and hearing care and we will work with ENT & audiological providers to ensure the best possible pathways of care.

We also want to address the challenge of mental health and deafness; we’ll work with leading mental health practitioners to ensure Deaf are able to access quality person centred support.