It is Child Month, and in a gesture to show their solidarity against child abuse, scores of persons are expected to be attired in blue ribbons today and throughout the week, as the Jamaica Association for the Deaf (JAD) celebrates it 77th anniversary, under the theme, 'Empower to Elevate'.

The week-long celebration began yesterday with a thanksgiving service at the Hope United Church. According to JAD, the critical issues on its agenda, include child protection, empowering children, their families and the wider public to create a society in which deaf children can live safely without fear and thrive. Also, to foster a healthy relationship between the hearing population and deaf community as the basis for a more inclusive society.

On Wednesday, the association will launch the participatory action research 'Deafness in the workplace' during its annual general meeting at the Mona Visitor's Lodge.

The following day, select groups will have their hearing tested at the JAD Hearing Services. The celebration will climax with an exciting Deaf Dance Competition hosted by The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission on May 13. This competition will feature deaf students from across Jamaica.

The JAD is a not-for-profit organisation that has been operating in Jamaica since 1938. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for all persons, regardless of age, sex, financial or social position, who have some degree of hearing loss. It manages seven schools for the deaf, a social services unit and a hearing health clinic.