Being deaf

Tuesday 6 October 2009

The term 'deaf' applies to fully deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people. How are deaf people catered for in a hearing world?

Rights for deaf people

Deaf people can be entitled to support from various organisations including:-

local authorities and councils
local Jobcentre Plus
the NHS
other organisations, such as deaf chariy RNID.

Local authority

Deaf people are encouraged to register with their local authority as they can help with services and equipment. To qualify a social worker or a technical officer will usually do a home visit to assess needs.

Equipment

There are various types of equipment a deaf person may need to help them cope with everyday situations. This could include:-

a loop system to hear music or the television more clearly
a textphone
a vibrating alarm cloc
an amplifier for a voice telephone
flashing lights for the doorbell, telephone or smoke alarm.

Interpreters

The deaf community use British Sign Language (BSL) to communicate. Some deaf people will also speak a language, such as English, but BSL is usually their first language.

There may be times when in order for deaf people to communicate with hearing people, they may need a Language Service Professional known as an interpreter.

A deaf person is entitled to have an interpreter with them for situations such as hospital appointments, job interviews and at schools. In most situations interpreters have to be booked well in advance with the organisation they are going to visit..

Watch this Headliners video to find out more about problems deaf people can face when an interpreter is not available.

TV and cinema

Many deaf people are able to follow TV and cinema using the Teletext service. Teletext is available both on analogue and digital TV, and provides written dialogue at the bottom of the screen.

Some subtitled shows also include descriptions of sounds effects which lets the deaf person understand the show more.

Programmes like See Hear and Vee TV cater especially for deaf people.

Theatre

Some organisations are trying to make theatre more accessible for deaf people. During the show, dialogue is captioned by a trained captioner. The captions are displayed on a screen at almost the exact same time as the actors are speaking too. Interpreters will also regularly describe sounds effects as well.

At a rave

Deaf people can also party just like everyone else. Deaf Rave is an organisation that puts parties together especially for deaf people.

The idea of a deaf rave is to physically feel the bass and beats of the music. Ravers can feel the music rumbling from the floor and walls. Also, the music changes to the beat of the tune.

There’s even rap battles too! Rappers use sign language to express their lyrics.

In an emergency

Currently, in the case of emergency, deaf people use a phone called Test Relay. The phone allows them to type a message which is then converted by an operator. Text Relay is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

A new system is currently being trialled in the UK which allows people who can’t hear or speak to contact the emergency services by texting 999 through their mobile.

The caller will be asked to type the type of service needed, the problem and location.

You can register for the service here.