Leicestershire Covid-19 Project

It is with great thanks to the support from Leicestershire County Council, the BDA have established and are running a Covid 19 project for Leicestershire Deaf community. This is to provide information, advice and support to Deaf people who live in Leicestershire for both adults and young people to ensure that all have access to information about what is happening locally in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.

There are 3 elements to this project which are to establish a BSL helpline, to work in close conjunction with Leicestershire Deaf Forum on local information that needs to be translated into BSL summary and to establish a bespoke BSL helpline for young people and their families or carers. We will aim provide support to Leicestershire Deaf residents as we come out of this pandemic dependant on how the lockdown restrictions are lifted and our lives start to return to some normality.

This project happened in response to the confusion caused as the coronavirus pandemic hit the country and this caused major confusion in the Deaf community. The country went into lockdown which highlighted the access issues for Deaf people to information that was not readily available.

This project allows equal access to information and Deaf people will have the same access as hearing people. For example being able to contact services for information, advice or support, hearing people can make a telephone call and Deaf people are able to do the same in BSL to access the support available.

The BDA Access and inclusion Officer is working with all organisations that are providing support during this time or the various support hubs across Leicestershire to ensure that they are accessible for Deaf people as the majority have used a telephone number to make initial contact to request support. We have been supporting them to amend their contact information to ensure that Deaf people are able to access their support when needed. This will enable the BDA to effectively signpost Deaf people to the correct service to meet their particular needs.

As part of this project the BDA are creating a series of BSL information videos below in response to the Deaf communities needs in Leicestershire.

If you wish to have further details or wish to discuss this project, please contact Robin Ash, Access & Inclusion Officer (Leicestershire) and his contact details are below:

Email: robin.ash@bda.org.uk
SMS: 07814387251

 

Robin Ash - BDA

 

Robin Ash
Access & Inclusion (BSL Charter) Officer - Midlands

Questions & Answers

Questions and answer videos relevant to Government guidance during the Coronavirus outbreak.

General Information

BSL Helpline for Leicestershire Deaf Residents

This helpline is to provide local information, advice and support networks for the Leicestershire area. This could be changes to Council services or where to get support from during the Coronavirus pandemic.

If you are Deaf and need some information or support then please contact this BSL Helpline. (Please note that this is not a letter translation service, counselling or a way to book BSL Interpreters) The BSL Helpline is a way for Deaf people to get support or advice through this crisis.

 

Robin Ash - BDA
 

Robin Ash
Access & Inclusion Officer (Leciestershire)

Email: robin.ash@bda.org.uk
SMS: 07814 387251

For Deaf Adults, this helpline for advice or information will run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10.00 am to 12 noon. This helpline is by appointment only. Please text, Facetime, WhatsApp or email for an appointment time.