d/Deaf groups in Salford are demanding for there to be better inclusivity and accessibility regarding the services in the city.
On the third Thursday of each month, Salford d/Deaf community group hold business and social meetings at Langworthy Cornerstones. They discuss the issues within the d/deaf community and encourage the two-way dialogue between the community and the statutory services.
d/Deaf stands for two different types of deafness, the lower-case d stands for those who may be partially deaf or suffer from age-related deafness and may have a form of equipment to help them lip read.
While the upper-case D stands for those who are normally born deaf and use sign language.
Andy Higgins, the community officer of a Salford d/Deaf group, said: “In Salford, there has been no formal sign language training for 15 years, yet around 22 per cent of the Salford population have a level of deafness.
“We need to be more accessible by ensuring videos are subtitled with a BSL (British Sign Language) translation and ensuring loop systems are fit for purpose.
“I encourage all statutory services to consult the deaf community at the planning stage as if its accessible for the wider d/Deaf community, it’s accessible for everybody.”
An example of what the group do is a member of the deaf community can send a letter and get back a summary translated into BSL.
Caritas Salford run disability awareness sessions which aim to inform and educate the public on deaf culture and how to be accessible, while aiming to help the d/Deaf community and their families.
Craig Savage, head of Social Action for Caritas, said: “Our sessions are for everyone, meaning it’s important to recognise a mixed language audience. Delivering only in one language still enforces that segregation so most of our sessions are delivered by a deaf person in BSL and then voiced over in English and we aim to have a BSL English interpreter at every session.
“The services around Salford need to become more accessible, it would be great if staff had a basic knowledge of deaf awareness and BSL, tailored and specific to their organisation.”
Sessions are running all over Salford and more information can be found on their website.
The next Salford d/Deaf meeting is on the 15th February and you can contact Salford d/Deaf community on Salforddeaf@gmail.com.
Featured image- Both d/deaf groups hold sessions are Langworthy Cornerstones. Credit- Google Maps
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