Deaf people in the East Midlands ‘put off’ using public transport
A third of people who are deaf, have hearing loss or use BSL avoid public transport
A British Sign Language interpreter from the East Midlands tells us public transport is not accessible enough for deaf people.
A new study has found more than a third of people who are deaf, have hearing loss or use BSL avoid public transport whenever possible.
Accessible travel information and a lack of deaf awareness among transport staff were highlighted as issues facing people with hearing loss by the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID)’s research.
The charity found 76% of people who are deaf or have hearing loss said inaccessible information made travelling stressful, while 77% said they experience barriers when using public transport at least some of the time.
More than a third (35%) of the 1,762 people surveyed, including those are deaf or have hearing loss, and BSL users, said they avoid using public transport whenever possible.
'Everyone has the right to travel'
Patricia 'Trish' Wright, a British Sign Language interpreter from the East Midlands told us: "the deaf community is huge, and BSL is a recognised language in Britain so I think it is essential to be inclusive.
"Everyone has the right to travel and they should be able to do that without pressure and communication barriers. Basic deaf awareness training is available and it would not take much for all frontline staff to be given that.
"It would help the BSL community to feel less isolated because in mainstream hearing environments they can feel isolated. If it happens once, their confidence drains and they do not want to go out," she said.
'More accessible for all'
The report sets out recommendations to address such barriers including ensuring all customer-facing staff receive deaf awareness training and BSL translation of real-time travel information.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Everyone should be able to use public transport with confidence, and we are determined to make journeys easier and more accessible for all.
“By October, most local buses will provide audiovisual destination and next-stop information, and bus staff will get strengthened training in awareness and assistance.
“British Sign Language announcements have been introduced at some of the country’s busiest train stations, while our Accessibility Roadmap is improving journeys for disabled people.”