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MIREN SEGOVIA he purpose of this paper is to introduce the Deaf Union of Guipuzcoa, an organization that brings together a significant number of deaf people from the province of Guipuzcoa, Spain. The Deaf Union promotes cultural, recreational , and social activities and provides a gathering place for deaf people. The Union is a private, nonprofit organization belonging to its deaf members and is supported by various public institutions and through membership fees. At present, there are 160 members ranging in age from eighteen to eighty, but the organization makes its services available to all the deaf people of Guipuzcoa. Because the Deaf Union of Guipuzcoa is governed by its deaf members, it is a place where we deaf people can participate in any type of activity we wish. It is also a place where we can get information that, owing to our deafness, we do not have access to in the outside world. Because we, as members, are responsible for the operations of the Deaf Union, it is our obligation to make it a place of reunion as well as something more: an integral center where we can develop in personal, cultural, and physical areas. All of our members are responsible for contributing their support to the effort to make the Deaf Union a center of complete service to deaf people. In this paper, I will discuss the history, goals, and operations of our association, the characteristics of its members, and some of the ideas that make the Deaf Union of Guipuzcoa an association and institution that acknowledges the needs of all deaf people. History of the Deaf Union of Guipuzcoa For some time the deaf people of Guipuzcoa had felt the need for a place to get together, so they decided to meet in a bar. They later became part of a hearing association but were not comfortable there, so they went back to the bar. In 1961, with money raised from the members themselves and from hearing parents of deaf people, the group established quarters of its own. After a while, the group grew too large for this location, and the members were faced with the need to look for a larger one. In 1984, with the help of public organizations, we moved to our present location at Calle Reyes Cat6licos No. 14 in San Sebastian, Guipuzcoa. Today, the Deaf Union provides facilities and services including a cafeteria, bar and catering services (staffed by members of the association), a gastronomical society, a library, an auditorium/conference room, cultural services, and videos. 536 THE DEAF WAY ~ Deaf Clubs and Sports Goals and Objectives The goals of the association are to create and promote solidarity among deaf people; to foster participation in cultural, recreational, and social activities, and to encourage members to unite, both socially and in the work force, to eliminate discrimination. One of the association's objectives is to be an open center where various activities can be planned and organized. These include activities, both within the organization and in the mainstream community, that promote communication and relationships between hearing and deaf people. Activities sponsored by the Deaf Union include recreational games and sports, mime, tapestry-making, arts and crafts, and conferences. The Deaf Union also sponsors its members' participation in sports and cultural activities in the hearing community. Members have the opportunity to suggest activities to the board of directors, which supports any type of idea or project geared toward creating links either within our community or with the hearing community. The Deaf Union promotes the social integration of deaf people by fostering various activities outside of the association. Activities requiring special attention or services, such as conferences, cultural support classes, etc., are carried out within the association . Hearing people who show interest in the deaf community also have access to the activities and services of the association. For direct services to our deaf members, we have a department of social assistance . This department, coordinated by a deaf woman who is a social worker, provides information and consultation on personal, family, social, and work-related problems. It also provides assistance in bureaucratic transactions and to members encountering difficulties in communication with other centers or institutions. Owing to a lack of concern and sensitivity for deaf issues and a shortage of relevant information, society often fails to address the communication needs of deaf people. The Deaf Union is a place where members share in a larger identity and can focus their attention on these needs. This does not...

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