Questions - and Answers
These are the questions we are most frequently asked

You can download the document "Making access to goods and services easier for disabled customers" from the UK Government website: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/Everydaylifeandaccess/Everydayaccess/DG_4018353

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has created a series of  guidance documents which are available on their website: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/new-equality-act-guidance/equality-act-guidance-downloads/

The Access to Communication in English (ACE) coalition has also prepared a useful booklet entitled access to communication in english for deaf people. This is available to download in pdf from the UK Council on Deafness website.

If this is not possible here are some guidelines:

For a Deaf Sign Language user you should book a Sign Language Interpreter.

Deafened and hard of hearing people as well as profoundly deaf people who do not use sign language may prefer either a lipspeaker or a notetaker. There are three types of notetaking:

Palantype (or Speech-to-Text) Reporting: This method of notetaking is provided by a trained palantypist on a specially customised keyboard. Blocks of letters are transcribed at once rather than single letters as on a normal keyboard.
This method of notetaking provides a word-for-word account and can be viewed on a laptop screen at small meetings or can be projected onto a large screen for bigger audiences.

Electronic Notetaking: Similar to palantype, operators use a standard keyboard and notes are projected onto a screen or viewed on a laptop. Generally a summary of proceedings rather than a verbatim account is offered. This means there is less text and this may be easier to read for some people.

Handwritten Notetaking: Notetakers are specially trained to provide a written summary of a meeting or lecture.

A Deafblind person might be supported by a guide/communicator. Please refer to Deafblind Scotland

Not all deaf people use hearing aids, but those who do often rely on an induction loop or infrared system.
Find more information in this factsheet from Hearing Link at: http://hearinglink.org/page.aspx?pid=615

When booking a Sign Language Interpreter for the first time the agency should provide a copy of their terms and conditions but for guidance please refer to the Scottish Association of Sign Language
Interpreters (SASLI).
Up to date information on the rate of pay for interpreters is also available from the SASLI website.

This leaflet is available as a pdf to download.
Up to date information on the rate of pay for Lipspeakers can be found on the Association of Lipspeakers website www.lipspeaking.co.uk

Hearing Link has a guide on their website: http://www.hearinglink.org/page.aspx?pid=615

A set of films has been produced in British Sign Language with subtitles for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing.  The first four films will give you basic information about different benefits, and the final one will explain how to make a claim if you are eligible.  Please go to the Direct.gov website:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Video/DG_WP196003

A communicator for deaf people during job interviews
Special equipment (or adaptations to existing equipment) to suit your particular work needs
Alterations to premises or working environment

Forms are available from the Access to Work Operational Support Unit. You can find contact information on the website:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/Employmentsupport/WorkSchemesAndProgrammes/DG_173083

Jobcentre Plus
Access to Work Operational Support Unit
Anniesland JCP
Baird Street
Glasgow G90 8AN
Telephone: 0141 950 5327
Textphone: 0845 6025850
Fax: 0141 950 5265
Email: atwosu.glasgow@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk

Forms are available from the Access to Work Business Centre. More information is available from their website.