Insights from Delegates: CI Advocacy in Action in Brussels 2024
Nothing about Us Without Us ……..a reality at this first CI Advocacy in Action Conference, Brussels
100 delegates from 27 countries – including 38 CI users had their voices heard, sharing their advocacy successes and challenges – with passion! Thanks to all our speakers – see their presentations as pdfs in resources. Thanks to Shelly Chadha and Carolina Der from WHO, to Sara Robinelli, Prof of Health Communication, and Frances Gallimore – CI user and writer from Netherlands – who talked movingly of the stigma of deafness.
There are times in life when you feel you witness to something extraordinary. This first CIICA conference, led by those with cochlear implants is one of those times.
Global, inclusive, friendly, fun!
Loved everything ! – dynamic, diverse, perfect!
CHECK OUT GRAEME CLARK’S MESSAGE AND DELEGATES’ REFLECTION VIDEO
Graeme Clark’s inspiring message for CIICA’s Global Conference: CI Advocacy in Action in Brussels!
Insights from CIICA’s First Global Conference: Delegates Speak Out on CI Advocacy in Action!
How to be part of this vibrant community and spread the word in my country
I feel inspired and energised – going back home full of hope and inspiration
Message from Ariane Laplante Lévesque for CIICA Conference 2024: CI Advocacy in Action
Thank you from mothers of CI kids from Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine, Kyrgistan
Young Adults with CI Matter: CIICA’s New Report to Share!
ON INTERNATIONAL COCHLEAR IMPLANT DAY AND CIICA’S THIRD BIRTHDAY
YOUNG ADULTS IMPLANTED AS CHILDREN AND NOW ADULTS SPEAK OUT
We are pleased to share our new report, Young Adults with CI Matter, looks at the data from our global survey from those implanted as children and now young adults. It adds the issues arising from their CIICA Conversations and the Global Advisory Group of Young People with CI to produce a unique comprehensive report from this pioneering group.
I am so used to it I can’t do anything without my CI.
These young adults are the first to grow up who are deaf, hearing with their implants. They are highly satisfied, but concerned about ongoing support and costs. When you are implanted at a young age, there is a long lifetime of funded CI services needed. A responsibility for all!
Young Adults with CI – Hear their voices…
“I’ve always heard through a cochlear – so it’s all I know”
They report that 97% of these young people expressed overall satisfaction with their implants.
“I am super satisfied!“
Now I am 29 years old and had the same processor 20 years taking really good care of it. To replace is very expensive!
However, they are concerned about the high cost of devices, accessories and repairs and ongoing costs for technology support throughout their lifetime. 10% have no spares.
“Now I am 29 years old and had the same processor 20 years taking really good care of it. To replace is very expensive!”
They want to broaden the current concepts of deafness including those with CI. A young person from Uganda…
CI has surely modernised the concept of deafness.
They propose the development of a new stakeholder group of young people to promote the benefits CI has brought and ensure the changes which could ensure lifelong hearing from CI, and full participation in society through their Agenda for Change.
The Global Advisory Group of Young Adults with CI: Jana Beneito, Spain, Jehan Daboo, India, Jessica Hissam, USA, Qais Khan, UK, Holly Loach, UK, John Lui, Australia, Manuela Malheirossilva, Brazil, Elaine Mukaaya, Uganda, Ava Pearson, UK, Bowen Tang, Canada, Theo Valles, USA.
DO SHARE THE REPORT WITH YOUR MEMBERS AND COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS. THANKS TO EVERYBODY WHO HELPED WITH DESIGN OF THE PROJECT AND WHO RESPONDED. SPECIAL THANKS SO THE GLOBAL ADVISORY GROUP OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WILL LAUNCH THEIR AGENDA FOR CHANGE AT OUR CONFERENCE: CI ADVOCACY IN ACTION, BRUSSELS , MAY 2024.
Please share the invitation with your members, colleagues and friends!
CIICA was delighted to be mentioned in the opening speech by Prof Emmanuel Mylanus at the European Symposium on Paediatric Cochlear Implantation in Rotterdam, where he thanked Sue Archbold for her inspiration and support. The conference had a great atmosphere- exchanging inspiration after so long!
We met many friends and members at our stand – and attracted more! Many visitors came to learn about our advocacy services -and take our resources…
Stuart McNaughton, Rihab Alikalil, Brian Lamb and Sue led a stimulating session on Sustainable CI Services – why and how do we deliver them? Manu from Brazil shared her challenges in everyday life, and Qais shared what he would like from his CI service – accessibility. Interacting with the delegates was easy with the Chatbox…
Qais talks about what he wants from his CI services
Manu talks about the biggest challenges as a deaf person
Five young people with CI shared their experiences in an inspiring session, led by Rob Beenders, himself a CI user. A young doctor could hear a mother’s heartbeat with a special stethoscope with blue tooth. These young people had a great time socialising too – at the network event!
Brian Lamb shared CIICA’s Spend2Save work in looking at sustainability for CI services –
managing hearing loss well actually saves society money as well as changing lives.
Our adult survey includes responses from young adults, implanted as a child, and Sue shared these too – including the comment:
I’ve always heard through a cochlear, it’s all I know.
Deaf Cochlear Implant User advocates at the United Nations for inclusive cities for all
The United Nations Youth Forum gave Qais Khan, a board member of CIICA, the unique opportunity to advocate as a young deaf person with a CI – and to ensure that people listened to what is needed to make cities accessible and sustainable and safe for all. Thanks to Bowen Tang and International Federation of Hard Of Hearing Young People for the opportunity!
From delivering speeches and meeting young leaders from around the world, these images show Qais networking at United Nations Youth Forum.
