Current Campaigns Lip Reading classes In 2005/2006 the Learning Skills Council issued revised prioritisation guidance to local authorities which led to massive increases in fees for Lip Reading classes, and in many cases to their cancellation. We are working with various bodies such as the RNID and Hearing Concern to persuade the Learning Skills Council to adopt a more responsible policy. DVD and video subtitling We are applying pressure to media companies who distribute DVDs & videos to encourage them to ensure that the material is subtitled as widely as possible – including the “ extras” tracks on DVDs – and to ensure that the packaging gives an accurate and easily readable description of the subtitling. We are also applying pressure to the many national newspapers who now distribute “free” DVDs, encouraging them to ensure that these provide subtitling. Disability Equality Schemes The Disability Discrimination Act 2005 requires a wide range of public bodies to publish Disability Equality Schemes showing how they will discharge their obligations under the DDA 2005 to make themselves more accessible and responsive to the needs of people with disabilities. We are working to ensure that as many of these DESs as possible properly reflect the needs of hearing impaired people. TV subtitling We continue to work with Ofcom [both directly and through TAG] to ensure that as much television as possible is made accessible to hearing impaired people, and challenge broadcasters when they fail to deliver on their subtitling commitments. We are also writing to hotels to remind them of the importance of making subtitles available on room TVs. This is particularly relevant at this time of changeover to digital transmission since many hotels will deliver only a limited service to rooms. Access to Communications in English The Association is a major player within the ACE Coalition, which has been working under UKCoD auspices to raise public awareness of the fact that a great majority of deaf/deafened people communicate in English rather than BSL, and that employers etc need to provide proper English based communications support. A key thread of the ACE campaign is working to increase the number of Language Service Professionals available to do this work, especially Speech to Text Reporters. Passport Interviews. The UK Passport Agency is currently rolling out a scheme whereby all new applicants for UK Passports will be summoned to an interview to confirm their identity. This scheme will be extended to passport renewals in due course. The Association is working with the Passport Agency to ensure that hearing impaired people receive appropriate communications support throughout this process. Back to top Home page Close Window