While technology has advanced dramatically in terms of digital communication, there are still numerous daily challenges faced by the deaf community that go unconsidered.
Bolton Deaf Society (BDS) contacted us during Deaf Awareness Week (May 2 to 8) to help raise awareness of some of these.
Firstly, a hurdle that wouldn’t necessarily jump to mind is intercom systems.
Member for BDS, Sonny, recently became stuck in a car park, unable to get out due to an issue at the NCP barrier.
A BDS spokesman said: “ A typical action here is to use the intercom system to contact customer support, however, as our client was profoundly deaf, they had to contact our team who were able to meet them on-site and support them to access this system.
“There are numerous examples like this, where to resolve an issue, the only options available are a phone number or intercom system, such as in car parks, lifts and high-rise flats.
"Deaf advocacy services like ourselves seek to raise deaf awareness, tackling and removing the daily obstacles faced by those who are deaf, deafened, hard of hearing and deafblind.”
An additional barrier includes needing a BSL interpreter for GP or doctor’s appointments.
The spokesman added: “It is a regular occurrence for interpreters to not have been booked and for clients to have arrived for their appointment having not been informed of this.
“The appointment is therefore cancelled, and clients are required to book new appointments and pay for transport once again.
“This delayed access to both physical and mental health appointments is a regular barrier within the deaf community and infringes on their rights under the Equality Act 2010.
“With the passing of the BSL Act 2022, which gives British Sign Language protected status and thereby requires BSL interpreters to be booked where required, it is hoped that strides will be made to increased equitable access for the deaf community.”
The society expressed other issues as one member had difficulties accessing his pension when his emails went unacknowledged.
Services such as Money Helper provided a BSL accessible appointment, allowing over the phone contacts to be made, however, when these appointments are changed by in this case, the pension provider, the deaf individual must rearrange for a BSL appointment.
The BDS spokesman said: “This disproportionally impacted our client, as where a hearing customer could call any day of the week, James will now have to make a future appointment with staff in order to access his pension and have his queries answered.”
Despite the hurdles, BDS is pushing for a more accessible society raising awareness and offering support for those who need it.
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