ADVOCACY

Our Deaf community has shown itself to be incredibly resilient, despite being misunderstood, discriminated against and oppressed for generations. That resilience is rooted in our language and our lives. Only we know, what it means to experience life as a signing Deaf person, a member of a linguistic and cultural minority, and to be able to connect with other Deaf people through signed language.

However, we still face obstacles to access services due to systemic and institutional barriers. Many of us don’t know our rights so our Advocacy service empowers and equips us with resources and information to break down barriers.

Our Deaf community has shown itself to be incredibly resilient, despite being misunderstood, discriminated against and oppressed for generations. That resilience is rooted in our language and our lives. Only we know, what it means to experience life as a signing Deaf person, a member of a linguistic and cultural minority, and to be able to connect with other Deaf people through signed language.

However, we still face obstacles to access services due to systemic and institutional barriers. Many of us don’t know our rights so our Advocacy service empowers and equips us with resources and information to break down barriers.

Our Advocacy Service supports our community when:

  • people are not listening to what we want;
  • when you feel you have been treated unfairly;
  • or when you feel that you haven’t been involved in decisions that affect your life.

The BDA’s Advocates will support you in various ways; helping you find out information, explore options and encouraging you to decide for yourself what you want to do.


How advocacy could help you

Advocacy is about working with individuals through difficult situations. Advocates can help you stand up for your rights and can support you to:

  • Express your own wishes and choices
  • Develop confidence to tell services if you are satisfied or dissatisfied with how you were treated
  • Collect and understand information, ensuring that you are aware of the choices and the possible consequences of those choices.
  • Introduce you to other people who may be able to help you
  • Advocates can go with you to meetings and help you gain control of the situation

For example:

  • You attend a GP appointment, but the GP Surgery has failed to book a British Sign Language interpreter, despite repeated requests.
  • You would like to complain, but you are not sure how.
  • Our Advocate will meet with you and explain your right to have a fully qualified and registered BSL interpreter during your appointment with your GP.
  • Together we will go through the options available to you; you may want to re-book your appointment and make a written request for a BSL interpreter to be booked; or you may want to make an official complaint.
  • When you decide which option you want to pursue, our Advocate will support you throughout the process.

Our service is confidential except in circumstances when people’s safety is at risk or a crime is involved.

If you would like more information, use the contact option in the main menu above and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

MEET THE ADVOCACY TEAM


Meet the Advocacy Teams around the UK
NORTHERN IRELAND
Naomi-Fujitani-2

Naomi Fujitani

NI ADVOCACY COORDINATOR
Alice

Alice Johnston

ACCESS & INCLUSION OFFICER
Susan-Campbell-2

Susan Campbell

ACCESS & INCLUSION OFFICER
WALES
Martin

Martin Griffiths

BDA WALES MANAGER
Profile Picture Blank

Alice O'Dell

ADVOCACY OFFICER
Heather-Thomas-WEB

Heather Thomas

ACCESS & INCLUSION OFFICER