Deaf Voters Given the Chance to Ask Questions of Politicians Via Sign Language

The Leader’s Debates have finally finished for this General Election and the result is now in the hands of the voters. Questions were asked by members of the public who attended the debates. However, little consideration has been given to attendees who are deaf. This has not been a problem in the Gloucester constituency where the candidates have been able to take questions from deaf residents of the city, with assistance from sign language interpreters.

A British Sign Language interpreter was present to enable those who were deaf to be able to ask questions of the panel. Jenny Hopkins, from the Gloucestershire Deaf Association, said: "One in 800 people is born profoundly deaf in this country and one in three people over 60 years of age suffers some level of acquired hearing loss.

"They are as interested in the forthcoming general election as anyone, but are unable to follow much of what is going on because of their hearing impairment.

"Deaf people have huge problems with access to information and often the communication solutions presented by government and local authorities - such as 24-hour telephone help lines - simply exclude them further from services hearing people take for granted."

All pertinent comments, someone who has a disability is as interested in politics as anyone. Certainly those who are deaf are catered for in other forums through the medium of sign language. The BBC regularly provides programming in the early morning and late at night with an on screen sign language interpreter. With the advent of digital television, almost every channel on satellite television now has subtitles available.

Often those who have a hearing impairment and don’t sign are not aware of all the help that is available to them. Sign language is surprisingly easy to learn and there are numerous options available to the willing learner. There are courses that you can take and have one-on-one tuition, or online courses. Those who do not wish to spend money can find online courses for free through a simple internet search.

Those wishing to learn sign language, and particularly if they are going to do so via the internet, should be aware that there are marked differences between countries. British Sign Language is different to American and Irish Sign Language. The British Deaf Association provides an official British Sign Language course curriculum and tutor training.