SCoD promotes the interests of deaf people in Scotland, supports their needs and promotes awareness of deafness.

One of the problems facing the arts and entertainment world is that of communicating effectively essential information concerning their services and plans with deaf people. Planners and providers of arts and entertainment services need to recognise their responsibilities and the rights of deaf people to have full information and access to services available to the community as a whole.

One in five of the population has a hearing loss; this means that there are over one million people in Scotland who have a range of hearing loss, from the profoundly deaf to those who are mildly deaf. They have different communication needs. In addition, there are approximately 6,000 deaf people whose first or preferred language is British Sign Language.

Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA), it is unlawful for a service provider to discriminate by offering a lower standard of service or providing a service in a worse manner to deaf people.

In spite of technological advancements, SCoD is concerned that deaf people are still being denied the right to enjoy the cinema, theatre and other forms of entertainment. Deaf people should have equal opportunities to participate in the cultural life of the country.

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

1. For every film, there should be at least one subtitled showing during peak times.
   
   
2. Every video and DVD should be closed-captioned.
   
   
3. For every theatre show, there should be at least one signed performance.
   
   
4. For all theatre shows, there should be provision of direct captioning (e.g. Stagetext).
   
   
5. For guided tours and lectures, visits to museums, heritage centres and galleries, sponsors and venue organisers should be responsible for providing and paying for communication support services (e.g. Sign Language Interpreters, Lipspeakers and Deafblind Communicators, Infra red/loop systems). Text versions should be provided for all audio-recorded messages.
   
   
6. All cinemas, theatres, museums, heritage centres and art galleries should be fully equipped with sound enhancement systems (e.g. induction loop, infra red systems). These systems should be in good working order and staff instructed in their use.
   
   
7. All frontline & reception staff and guides should receive accredited deaf and deafblind awareness training; this should be provided in in-service training on an on-going basis.
   
   
8. Publicity and other information material should be developed in appropriate language (e.g. British Sign Language or plain English) and with illustration, taking into account the culture, identity and language of deaf people.
   
   
9. Deaf people should be able to make enquiries and book tickets via textphone, fax, e-mail and Typetalk.
   
   
10. Hearing Dogs for Deaf People should be allowed in every arts or entertainment venue.
    
    
11. Entertainment personnel should be informed about the Disability Discrimination Act and other relevant legislation.
    
    
12. The entertainment world should involve deaf people in the provision and monitoring of their services and encourage the employment of deaf people to facilitate service use by deaf people.

1. Discrimination Issues & Legislation

1.1 The Disability Discrimination Act 1995, HMSO, 1996

1.2 Disability discrimination Act 1995 - Code of Practice: Rights of Access - Goods, Facilities, Services and Premises, Department of Education and Employment, 1999

2. Communication and Interpreting Issues

2.1 Communication is your responsibility, The Commission of Enquiry into Human Aids to Communication, March 1992

2.2 SASLI, Provision of Communication Support for Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing People, Scottish Association of Sign Language Interpreters, Sept 1997