Text transcript of BSL video:
Dr Terry Riley:
Hello, I’m Terry, Chair of the BDA.
Simon Hesselberg:
Hi, my name is Simon. I work in partnership with the BDA.
Dr Terry Riley:
Now, we are at Caxton House – the main office of DWP, for our important meeting covering AtW (Access to Work), PIP (Personal Independence Payments), DLA (Disability Living Allowance) and other significant areas. However, we will mainly be discussing PIP issues.
Simon Hesselberg:
The aim of this meeting is to cover actions and follow up from our previous meetings. There are some positive outcomes that we will compile and feed back later.
Dr Terry Riley:
The feedback will be detailed, but I can tell you some news – DWP office for PIP will eventually set up a BSL (British Sign Language) video relay call line in October, please stay tuned to the BDA for an update.
Simon Hesselberg:
Another update is that medical assessment letters will mention confirmation of a BSL interpreter – the information will be added on their official letter and also they will use text messages for your smartphones to inform you that they have booked a BSL interpreter. They have started using this process just recently, and it will be consistent. This is good news.
Dr Terry Riley:
With the past PIP assessments, sometimes there was an appropriate assessment, and sometimes it was done inappropriately or wrong. For example, the assessor examines the deaf person’s hearing by speaking from behind. Tell, us what happened, Simon?
Simon Hesselberg:
There were some cases that one of the assessors used the unethical method of testing deaf person’s hearing by shouting from behind. This is not acceptable. DWP have informed all health care professionals who do this assessment to not practice this again. They have started sending the updated information across the network and this erroneous practice will eventually be stopped. But if this still happens to you, please let us know as soon as possible and we will update and feed back to DWP. They want to end this practice.
Dr Terry Riley:
This is really important for you to let us know – please don’t hesitate to contact us. With your information, we have had a good influence on DWP to make improvements and positive changes.
Simon Hesselberg:
Okay, we will keep you updated with news in the coming weeks. Thank you for watching us.
THIRD MEETING WITH DWP – 11/11/2016:
“Third meeting with DWP concerning PIP”
UPDATE FROM DWP – 12/07/2016:
“Open consultation – Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment: second independent review call for evidence” (link to DWP’s website)
SECOND MEETING WITH DWP – 12/07/2016:
“Second meeting with DWP concerning PIP”
FIRST MEETING WITH DWP – 24/05/2016:
“BDA raised concerns on PIP with DWP”
no replies