News

Communication Support Work
Deaf Action would like to know how easy it is for deaf people in Scotland to find and use Communication Support Workers (CSWs). In order to help us find this out, we would like you to take part in our survey, it will only take about 5 minutes to complete.

Just click here to access the survey.

Thank you for your time.

Research
Deaf Action has had a request from a student at the University of Edinburgh who is looking for hard of hearing people to test a new mobile telephone. 

Vivek Kumar is an MSc. Business student working on a project with a local electronics product company that designs systems that enhance the sound and voice quality for mobile phones.   They would like to try out their demo telephone handset with as many hard of hearing people as possible.  The handset works by cancelling out any environmental noise and by amplifying the clear voice from the sender.  Previous or current mobile phone ownership is not an issue, as they would also like to find out why each person who tests it does or does not have a mobile telephone currently.  Finally, they would also like to find out how much people would be willing to pay for the product.

The university and the electronics company are conducting this as an academic research project to help improve the quality of life for deaf people.  They are not trying to sell any equipment.

If you know any hard of hearing people who would be willing to be part of this research, please contact Vivek at:

Vivek Kumar
MSc International Business and Emerging Markets student 2010
University of Edinburgh, Business School, 7 Bristo Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9AN
Mobile: +  44 (0)78979316045
Email: v.kumar-2@sms.ed.ac.uk

Deaf Action to Work in Argyll & Bute  BSL Version
The Scottish Government will provide funding for Deaf Action to carry out a two year pilot project to establish a new service for both deaf people and visually impaired / blind people in Argyll and Bute on the west coast of Scotland.

Argyll and Bute consists of remote, rural and dispersed areas, and people sometimes have to travel great distances to access services. Deaf Action will trial a multi-purpose resource, taking services to people by using local centres (e.g. church halls / community centres), where deaf people and visually impaired / blind people can try out specialist equipment and receive advice and information on how to cope with hearing / sight loss. The project will also deliver training to social care and health providers in deaf and visual awareness.

If you would like further information about this new service, please contact Jackie Slater, Community Development Manager at Deaf Action at:

Email: jackie.slater@deafaction.org
Tel: 0131 556 3128
Fax: 0131 557 8283
Text: 0131 557 0419
SMS: 07775 620 757

Deaf Action to Work in Aberdeenshire  BSL Version 
Aberdeenshire Council has awarded Deaf Action a contract to provide services to Deaf and hard of hearing people in the Aberdeenshire area. 

The service will provide:

• Information and Advice
• Development and Facilitation
• Equipment

Deaf Action will be working closely with the Council’s community care teams who will be providing a care management service to deaf and hard of hearing people. This new Deaf Action service will start at the beginning of April 2010 and along with our work in Highland, will promote Deaf Action in the north of Scotland as a major provider of services for Deaf and hard of hearing people in that region. If you would like further information about this new service, please contact Jackie Slater, Community Development Manager at Deaf Action at:

Email: jackie.slater@deafaction.org
Tel: 0131 556 3128
Fax: 0131 557 8283
Text: 0131 557 0419
SMS: 07775 620 757

Creation of a New Deaf Organisation in Scotland BSL Version
Representatives of Deaf Action and Deaf Connections have been in discussion over recent months to explore the possibilities of our two organisations joining together to create a new organisation in Scotland.

After detailed consideration, the Trustees of both Deaf Action and Deaf Connections have agreed that the work on this should be deferred until the timing is more appropriate to both our organisations.

Whilst we will not at the moment be looking to merge, we believe that there is further scope for joint initiatives, and hope to explore those at some time in the future.

If you have any questions or would like any further information, please contact Deaf Action’s Director, Liz Scott Gibson at:

Tel:  0131 556 3128
Fax:  0131 557 8283
Text:  0131 557 0419
SMS:  07775 620 757
Email:  admin@deafaction.org.

Deaf Action brings Services Together to Improve the Quality of Life for Hard of Hearing People in Fife
On Thursday 28 January, just under 100 people walked through the doors of the Rothes Hall in Glenrothes to gather information about hearing loss.

Organised by Deaf Action, this Information and Advice Open Day proved to be a great success in giving deaf people in Fife information about how to improve their quality of life and how to seek support for hearing loss.

A range of organisations came together for the event including Fife Council Deaf Communications Service, Hearing Concern Link, Fife Carers, Fife Employability Network, Fife Community Police, Fife NHS Audiology and Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. A lipreading tutor was also available.

In 2008, thanks to a reward of £222,454 from the Big Lottery Fund, Deaf Action launched a new project in Fife and Lothian – Including You – aimed at providing support, advice and learning opportunities to hard of hearing people.  The project improves the quality of life of hard of hearing people in Lothian and Fife and helps to give them the tools needed to continue leading positive independent lives.  Project Workers, Kirsteen McFarlane and Debbie Gibson, provide advice about hearing aids, benefits available and community and support groups who can help increase people’s confidence.  The project also works with friends, families and employers of hard of hearing people to provide advice on how they can improve the way they communicate with those who have a hearing loss.

For more information about Including You, please click here.

Facebook
Deaf Action is now on Facebook.  Just search for ‘Deaf Action’ and make yourself a fan of our page to receive regular updates about our news, services and events.

You Tube
Deaf Action now also features on YouTube. Visit our page for more information about our services and events in BSL.

Breathing Space - BSL Services
Breathing Space is a free and anonymous phone line and website service for people experiencing low mood or depression. A webcam service now offers online advice, information and support for Deaf people in Scotland. Trained advisers use British Sign Language (BSL) via a webcam to discuss any concerns that may be affecting an individual’s mental wellbeing.

The service can be accessed at www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk and by then clicking on ‘BSL Service’. The BSL service is open on Wednesday 6pm-10pm, Thursday 6.30pm-10pm, Saturday 9am-12.30pm and Sunday 2pm-6pm.

PARENTS AND CHILDREN BSL Version
Deaf Action is looking for new ways to encourage Deaf parents to come along to Deaf Action and have the opportunity to chat with other parents to share information and take part in activities.  We would like to ask you a few questions to find out how you would like this group to run – please complete this questionnaire and return it to Kaz Langlands, Health Project Worker, or Debra Wherrett, Health Project Co-ordinator.  Information on how to return the form is enclosed on the questionnaire.

ACCESS TO LEISURE FACILITIES IN EDINBURGH FOR DEAF PEOPLE BSL Version
Deaf Action’s Health Project has been working closely with Edinburgh Leisure in order to make leisure facilities in Edinburgh more accessible for deaf people. Discount Cards, which are part of Edinburgh Leisure’s Community Access Programme, are now available from, and will be administered by, Deaf Action’s Head Office at Albany Street in Edinburgh. In most instances, these discount cards will allow holders to access Edinburgh Leisure facilities for just £1 at off-peak times (Monday to Friday before 4pm) – this includes gym facilities, swimming and fitness classes. Badminton and squash courts are reduced to £2 per hour.

Edinburgh Leisure is the biggest leisure provider in Edinburgh and also has facilities in South Queensferry. Their Community Access Programme is designed to support community groups and encourages people to start doing some physical activity through making more and better use of Edinburgh Leisure facilities - and at an affordable price.

Please note that because there is no charge for carers or support staff, they will not need a discount card in order to accompany someone to an Edinburgh Leisure facility.

For more information, please visit Edinburgh Leisure’s website at www.edinburghleisure.co.uk or contact Deaf Action’s Reception on:

Tel: 0131 556 3128
Fax: 0131 557 8283
Text: 0131 557 0419
SMS: 07775 620 757
Email: admin@deafaction.org

EDINBURGH LEISURE
Edinburgh Leisure have a new text and email service for Deaf customers. If you want to make a booking, enquire about activities and classes, or ask for advice or support, you can contact them by either text/sms: 0797 076 5960, or by email: deafactive@edinburghleisure.co.uk.

HEALTH INFORMATION AVAILABLE IN BSL
New resources in BSL are now available from Health Rights Information Scotland.  DVDs with BSL translations are available on the following topics.

• NHS Scotland: Health Care for UK Passport Holders Living Abroad
• NHS Scotland: Health Care for UK Pensioners Visiting Scotland
• NHS Scotland: Health Care in Scotland for Former UK residents Now Working Abroad

These are just a few of the BSL resources available from Health Rights Information Scotland.  For more information, visit their website at www.hris.org.uk or contact them at:

Telephone: 0141 226 5261, Fax: 0141 221 9695, Email: hris@consumerfocus.org.uk.

SWINE FLU
NHS 24 have produced information on Swine Flu in British Sign Language. It will be on their website tomorrow. It is currently on Sign Tube - use this link: http://www.sign-tube.com/video/863/NHS24-Swine-Flu

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT PATIENTS' RIGHTS BILL
On 14 January 2009, Deaf Action held a well attended consultation event with Deaf and hard of hearing people to discuss the Scottish Government’s Patients’ Rights bill proposals.  The Scottish Government wants to ensure that patients know what they have a right to expect when using NHS health services and what the NHS expects from patients in return.  The Government has identified 8 rights which they think are the most important to consider:

1. Access to health services
2. Your right to be treated with dignity and respect
3. Your right to safe and effective care
4. Your right to be communicated with in a way that you understand
5. Your right to information about the services you use
6. Your right to privacy and confidentiality
7. Your right to comment about your care and have any concerns dealt with
8. Health Care for UK passport holders living abroad
9. Health Care for UK pensioners visiting Scotland
10. Health Care in Scotland for former UK residents now working abroad

The consultation event was organised by Deaf Action and NHS staff.  We were also joined by Lauren Murdoch, Bill Manager for Patient Focus and International Issues at the Scottish Government who enabled us to feed back to the Government what the specific issues are for deaf people in Scotland in accessing NHS services.  Our aim is to ensure that deaf and hard of hearing people will, in turn, benefit from the new laws for patients which the Government hopes to introduce in 2010. 

Common themes which emerged through our consultation included poor access to interpreters, unequal access to emergency services, inadequate communication with NHS staff and the inability to interact with other NHS information sources.  These issues all feed into the 8 most important rights identified by the Government and we hope that our consultation and feedback will go some way to influencing the outcome of the Bill. 

The Government’s consultation period closed on 16 January.  Please keep checking back to this page for more information as it arises.  If you have any comments or questions, please contact Sarah Colegrove, Marketing Officer at Deaf Action on sarah.colegrove@deafaction.org or on 0131 550 095 (tel and text).

SPEAKING UP, ACCESS TO SERVICES FOR HARD OF HEARING PEOPLE
This report outlines some of the barriers that hard of hearing people face in accessing public services, together with action points for service providers and useful contacts.

HEALTH INFORMATION IN BSL - NOW AVAILABLE ON DVD
NHS Scotland - NHS Scotland have provided us with a range of information leaflets which have been translated into BSL and are available on DVD. The titles available are:

Consent It’s Your Decision
Making a complaint about the NHS
It’s OK to ask!
The NHS and You
Confidentiality – your right
How to see your Health records
Health Care for UK passport holders living abroad
Health Care for UK pensioners visiting Scotland
Health Care in Scotland for former UK residents now working abroad

If you are interested in viewing any of the above titles, you can pop into Deaf Action and ask to see them.  Alternatively, if you would like your own copies or, if you know anyone else who may want copies, then you should contact your local NHS board.  You can view details on their website at www.hris.org.uk.

Scottish Intercollegiate Network (SIGN) - The following DVD’s have been produced by Scottish Intercollegiate Network (SIGN): 

For Patients: Lung Cancer
For Patients: Arrhythmias
For Patients: Chronic Heart Failure
For Patients: Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease
For Patients: Stable Angina
For Patients: Acute Coronary Syndromes
For Patients: Dementia
For Patients: Epilepsy in children and young people
SIGN guidelines

If you are interested in viewing any of these DVD’s, you can pop into Deaf Action, or you can contact SIGN direct at 28 Thistle Street, Edinburgh EH2 1EN.  Email: sign@sign.ac.uk or view their website: www.sign.ac.uk.

REPORTING HATE CRIME
Hate Crime is the name used to describe a range of crimes against members of a minority group, such as name-calling, vandalism, assault or harassment. Criminals can target groups because of, for example, age, gender, race, faith and disability, including hearing loss.

But how can Deaf and hard of hearing people report a Hate Crime? Can police station staff communicate with them? Do police have textphones or SMS messaging? How do police staff reassure and advise Deaf and hard of hearing people?

Deaf Action's Edinburgh-based staff have been working with Lothian and Borders Police to address these issues. Deaf Action is now a Remote Reporting Centre - Deaf and hard of hearing people who are victims of Hate Crime can talk to a member of Deaf Action Social Care staff, who will link with Police Officers to resolve the situation. You can report a crime formally, informally, or anonymously, but however you decide to do it, the police want to hear from you.

So if you, or any friends or family are the victim of Hate Crime, come and talk to our Social Care staff, and together we can tackle the problem.

MENTAL HEALTH AND DEAFNESS
Deaf Action and NHS Lothian are both delighted to report that their new locally based mental health service for deaf people is now live. This is the first such service of its kind in Scotland.

Assessment and treatment is provided by a Community Mental Health Nurse and Occupational Therapist who work directly with deaf people. Both members of staff are based at Deaf Action's Head Office in Edinburgh and they work closely with the Social Care Team.

The new members of staff also have a liaison, education and awareness-raising role across all specialist mental health and primary care mental health care areas in Lothian.

For more information contact the Head Office, or click here.

CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (CAB)
There are many CAB offices in Scotland where trained volunteers provide information on problems such as applying for Disability Living Allowance, returning items to a shop (like a pair of trousers, TV, mobile phone) if they are torn or broken or dealing with a debt - for example not paying the Council Tax, or owing money to a catalogue company.

While these volunteers provide a vital service to the public, many will possess an inadequate level of British Sign Language skills or none at all, and therefore if a Deaf person makes an appointment to get advice, a BSL/English Interpreter will be required.

However, with the help of new volunteer, Rosie Addis, a fully qualified BSL/English Interpreter, Portobello CAB office has changed all that. Located on Bath Street (next to Scotmid), Rosie is available on Wednesday and Thursday mornings, between 9.45am and 12pm. If you want to make an appointment to see her, you don't need to book an interpreter, just email portobello@citizensadviceedinburgh.co.uk. Alternatively, you can pop into the office on a Wednesday or Thursday morning before 11am and make an appointment. To be sure of seeing Rosie it is advisable to make an appointment.

DEMENTIA AND DEAFNESS
Copies of a exploratory paper highlighting the lack of understanding of dementia and deafness and a booklet produced following the project - printed copies available on request.