Visit our publications page to download this position statement as a pdf.

One of the problems facing information services is that of communicating essential information about their services and plans effectively where deaf people are concerned. Deaf people have the same right to accessible information as other people. Information service planners and providers have a responsibility to make this happen.

One in five of the population has a hearing loss. This means there are over one million people in Scotland with a hearing loss, from the profoundly deaf to those who are hard of hearing. They have different communication needs.

There are approximately 6,000 deaf people whose first or preferred language is British Sign Language (BSL).

SCoD is concerned that because deaf people's communication needs are not always met, they do not have equal access to information and are therefore often unable to participate fully and make informed choices.

Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, it is unlawful for a service provider to discriminate against deaf people by offering a lower standard of service or less favourable treatment in the provision of services and information.

The Scottish Council on Deafness recommends that the following good practice be implemented:

• Information should be provided freely, be comprehensive and timely.

• Information should be available in a variety of accessible formats such as: BSL with subtitles, braille, moon, large print, simple English with graphics, via email and through accessible websites.

• Print information should be produced in a sans serif font such as Arial, minimum point size 12.

• For meetings, communication services should be provided, such as: BSL/English interpreters, lipspeakers, electronic notetakers and loop systems.

• Deaf people should receive complete sets of meeting papers in an appropriate format five working days before the meeting.

• Meeting rooms should be well lit and equipped with working loop systems. Wall decor should be plain, keeping background visual noise to a minimum.

• Where contact details such as a telephone number are provided, textphone, fax numbers and email addresses should also be offered. Staff should be trained in textphone use and have an awareness of Typetalk.

• In addition to following the W3C accessibility guidelines, websites should offer video clips in BSL where possible.

• Public information material should be produced in BSL with subtitles.

• All staff should receive deaf, deafblind and deafened awareness training at induction. Staff working with deaf people should have communication skills training and an awareness of communication support services.

• Deaf people should be involved in the planning, priority setting, provision and monitoring of information services.

• Equal opportunities legislation should be applied in all employment procedures.