Miss-Delectable
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2004
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http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/c...=newsislg&itemid=WeED12 Oct 2005 12:35:08:807
MORE sign language interpreters have been drafted in by Islington Council - after a decade of employing only one full-time translator.
Three additional part-time interpreters joined the Sign Language Interpreting Service this week - making the scheme one of the largest of its kind in the country.
The service, funded by the council and Islington Primary Care Trust, will provide interpreters for the borough's estimated 200 deaf people when they visit the doctor, an NHS optician or dentist or any council department. The council used to employ only one full-timer and relied on freelancers or interpreters from the charity RNID.
Deaf campaigner and Holloway resident Gerard Maguire, 45, said: "I have campaigned on deaf issues for over 15 years and in the past the council has only made small improvements. Recently the council has done a lot to improve interpreting services. I am impressed with this service because it takes our needs into account."
John Savva, 28, said: "It's great that the new Sign Language Interpreting Service will be more reliable and flexible with more skilled staff."
Miro Civin, 35, said: "I think it's fantastic. Now if you need an optician or a dentist there is full communication for people using British Sign Language and that's so important."
Councillor Laura Willoughby (Liberal Democrat), Islington's executive member for communities, said: "We've already lead London with our innovative signing call centre facilities. The extra resources for interpreting are very welcome and mean we can give deaf and hearing-impaired customers the same level of service that hearing customers expect.
MORE sign language interpreters have been drafted in by Islington Council - after a decade of employing only one full-time translator.
Three additional part-time interpreters joined the Sign Language Interpreting Service this week - making the scheme one of the largest of its kind in the country.
The service, funded by the council and Islington Primary Care Trust, will provide interpreters for the borough's estimated 200 deaf people when they visit the doctor, an NHS optician or dentist or any council department. The council used to employ only one full-timer and relied on freelancers or interpreters from the charity RNID.
Deaf campaigner and Holloway resident Gerard Maguire, 45, said: "I have campaigned on deaf issues for over 15 years and in the past the council has only made small improvements. Recently the council has done a lot to improve interpreting services. I am impressed with this service because it takes our needs into account."
John Savva, 28, said: "It's great that the new Sign Language Interpreting Service will be more reliable and flexible with more skilled staff."
Miro Civin, 35, said: "I think it's fantastic. Now if you need an optician or a dentist there is full communication for people using British Sign Language and that's so important."
Councillor Laura Willoughby (Liberal Democrat), Islington's executive member for communities, said: "We've already lead London with our innovative signing call centre facilities. The extra resources for interpreting are very welcome and mean we can give deaf and hearing-impaired customers the same level of service that hearing customers expect.