Miss-Delectable
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icRenfrewshire - SIGNING UP TO STAY HEALTHY
BUDDIES with hearing problems are to be given vital health tips by internet link after NHS bosses signed into new technology.
Around 30 video clips have gone live on the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s website using British Sign Language to give health information to deaf and hard of hearing people.
The short video clips feature deaf presenters offering information on topics ranging from how to find a GP right through to how to make a complaint.
Using the online video technology will make it easier for the approximately 1,000 deaf and hearing-impaired people living within Greater Glasgow and Clyde – many of whom are based in Renfrewshire – who rely on BSL to access information and support.
Jac Ross, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s corporate inequalities manager for disability, said: “For deaf people who communicate by signing, English simply isn’t their first language – BSL is.
“It can be harder to find information when it’s written in English, and harder to seek help, so it’s particularly important to make health information available in BSL. Expecting a deaf person to deal solely in written English is putting unnecessary barriers in the way.
“Evidence shows that ultimately this has a negative impact on the health of deaf people. They tend to have more health problems and don’t go for help as promptly as hearing people.
“Deaf people are also less likely to pick up on general health messages. For example, a hearing person might notice an advert talking about safe drinking levels, which a deaf person won’t. You take for granted all sorts of health information, but for deaf people it’s not that simple and this is our way of redressing the balance.”
The scheme is supported by Deaf Connections, Scotland’s oldest charity for deaf people.
Experts from the Glasgow-based organisation translated the written health information into BSL and have now been filmed delivering the information on the 30 video clips. Chief Executive Gordon Chapman said: “There is considerable evidence to show that deaf people do not have access to important information that can help them make decisions which affect their health. As a result, many deaf people suffer poor health.
“By giving health information in the language that they understand, we will go a long way towards empowering deaf people and helping them to make decisions which will have a direct impact on the quality of their lives.”
Catriona Lafferty is a Health Promotion Worker with Deaf Connections and she said: “As a deaf person, I find it very difficult to access any information on the internet because it is written in English. This is not my first language and I would prefer to have information presented in BSL.
“Accessing information this way would give me greater confidence and I think it is great that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde are making the effort to make their website accessible for me and for other deaf people.
“I am sure that once deaf people are aware that this facility is available, they will use it on a regular basis.”
BUDDIES with hearing problems are to be given vital health tips by internet link after NHS bosses signed into new technology.
Around 30 video clips have gone live on the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s website using British Sign Language to give health information to deaf and hard of hearing people.
The short video clips feature deaf presenters offering information on topics ranging from how to find a GP right through to how to make a complaint.
Using the online video technology will make it easier for the approximately 1,000 deaf and hearing-impaired people living within Greater Glasgow and Clyde – many of whom are based in Renfrewshire – who rely on BSL to access information and support.
Jac Ross, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s corporate inequalities manager for disability, said: “For deaf people who communicate by signing, English simply isn’t their first language – BSL is.
“It can be harder to find information when it’s written in English, and harder to seek help, so it’s particularly important to make health information available in BSL. Expecting a deaf person to deal solely in written English is putting unnecessary barriers in the way.
“Evidence shows that ultimately this has a negative impact on the health of deaf people. They tend to have more health problems and don’t go for help as promptly as hearing people.
“Deaf people are also less likely to pick up on general health messages. For example, a hearing person might notice an advert talking about safe drinking levels, which a deaf person won’t. You take for granted all sorts of health information, but for deaf people it’s not that simple and this is our way of redressing the balance.”
The scheme is supported by Deaf Connections, Scotland’s oldest charity for deaf people.
Experts from the Glasgow-based organisation translated the written health information into BSL and have now been filmed delivering the information on the 30 video clips. Chief Executive Gordon Chapman said: “There is considerable evidence to show that deaf people do not have access to important information that can help them make decisions which affect their health. As a result, many deaf people suffer poor health.
“By giving health information in the language that they understand, we will go a long way towards empowering deaf people and helping them to make decisions which will have a direct impact on the quality of their lives.”
Catriona Lafferty is a Health Promotion Worker with Deaf Connections and she said: “As a deaf person, I find it very difficult to access any information on the internet because it is written in English. This is not my first language and I would prefer to have information presented in BSL.
“Accessing information this way would give me greater confidence and I think it is great that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde are making the effort to make their website accessible for me and for other deaf people.
“I am sure that once deaf people are aware that this facility is available, they will use it on a regular basis.”