From: Deaf Access - Director [Susan.Craney@deaf-access.co.uk]
Sent: 27 January 2011 12:29
To: DWP Consultation DLAReform
Cc: rh647995@aol.com
Subject: Deaf Access

To whom it may concern

 

As an organisation representing Deaf people and as someone who has personally assisted them to complete their DLA applications we are dismayed at the proposals.

 

So called experts assessing deaf people for DLA, GPs giving evidence etc are constantly letting our clients down with their lack of understanding or true appreciation of the issues faced by Deaf people. Communication is key to society and Deaf people are isolated from this and often even their own families.

 

The main challenge with Deaf people is that due to changing policies family and professional decisions they all have different communication methods. Oral, SSE (Sign Supported English) BSL (British Sign Language) Cued Speech- or a  bit of all or parts of some! This isolates them even within the Deaf community itself!

 

On top of this add different levels of education and comprehension and you are dealing with a group that by and large are let down in every direction as they cost more via Communication support so for eg Jobcentre plus won’t pay for a course it’s too expensive the agency want £3,000 to sign for a week’s training. Education cuts and constant changes mean within mainstream they don’t get the full support they need as its expensive and requires a level of expertise that is not generally available in mainstream. 

 

Deaf people are 40% more likely to have mental health issues (Sign Health website reports) because they are unable to access services and support when they need it and often are not diagnosed due to lack of understanding or communication.... the list goes on!

 

Deaf people are more likely to be long term unemployed -but nobody will fund basic life skills that they need to get out of the poverty trap!

 

You mention the social model as being the guiding principle but I see no evidence in any other area of society where people have got this 

right for Deaf people- so how will this inspire confidence in this reform? Many deaf organisations don’t even get it right as most of their clients

are Hard of Hearing. 

 

 

kind regards

Susan Craney

Susan Craney

Centre Director

 

Tel PA; 0208 315 2551

Mobile- text only 07833052532

 



Community House South Street

Bromley BR1 1RH

 

Bromley Resource Centre for the Hearing Impaired Registered Charity No 1050990

Private Limited Company, Registered in England and Wales No 3119953.

 

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