Deaf Awareness Week 6 - 12 May 2024

Deaf Awareness Week is an annual event used to celebrate the deaf community and is dedicated to increasing public awareness of deaf issues, culture, and the contributions and achievements of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. It aims to foster a deeper understanding and respect for the deaf community. Celebrated annually, this event serves as a crucial platform for advocacy, education, and the promotion of equal opportunities.

According to the World Health Organisation, 430 million people require support to address hearing loss and it is estimated that by 2050 over 700 million people will have hearing loss across the world. In the UK alone, 12 million adults are deaf or have hearing loss and we can all play our part to be more deaf aware, both at work and in daily life.

It is important to make sure your workplace is inclusive of deaf people and people with hearing loss, with 1 in 8 people of working age have hearing loss, which may have an impact on their communication, productivity and wellbeing (Deaf awareness - RNID). A recent survey by the Royal Association for Deaf People revealed that a lack of awareness among employers was a serious barrier to employment and career progression. The study highlighted the following statistics:

• 63% reported they had not been given equal opportunities at work
• 83% felt excluded from conversations with colleagues
• 69% reported feeling lonely at work
• 59% had been left out of social events

Creating inclusive environments that support the participation of deaf individuals in all aspects of social, economic, and political life is at the heart of Deaf Awareness Week. It calls on policymakers, educators, and the public to remove barriers and ensure accessibility, whether in schools, workplaces, or public spaces. Under the Equality Act 2010, employers are required to provide reasonable adjustments to remove, reduce or prevent the obstacles a Deaf employee may face as a disabled worker.

Deaf Awareness Week also serves as a reminder of the importance of sign language as a primary means of communication for many deaf people, advocating for its recognition and support. Educational workshops, cultural exhibitions, and presentations on technological advancements that aid communication are among the many activities organised to mark this occasion. These events not only educate the hearing public but also empower those who are deaf or hard of hearing, reinforcing their rights to access information, education, and employment on an equal basis with others.

Supporting Deaf Awareness in the workplace

• Arrange Deaf Awareness training – The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) offer 3 types of remote BSL training courses and Deaf Awareness training to help you and your staff communicate with deaf colleagues and customers (British Sign Language (BSL) training - RNID).
• Use the Access to Work scheme – obtain workplace assessments to ensure that deaf employees get the best support for their needs and that workplace barriers can be removed. Workplace assessmentsare also available from specialist organisations including The Royal National Institute for Deaf People.
• Sign up for the Disability Confidence scheme and display the badge on job adverts – this scheme was developed by employers and disabled people’s representatives to provide guidance, good practice and resources to help employers recruit from the widest possible pool of talent and demonstrate how all employees are treated fairly (Disability Confident).
• Review your technology and research the different communication methods:
  • Hearing loop systems – help make your organisation accessible to anyone who uses hearing aids and ensure compliancy with equality legislation.
  • Instant video relay services – a video telecommunications service that allows people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing to make and receive phone calls in real time.
  • Sign language interpreters – there are 2 main sign languages; British Sign Language (BSL) and International Sign Language
  • Lip speakers – using clear lip shapes, facial expressions and gestures to communicate what is being said
  • Electronic notetakers – they can type a summary of the spoken word onto a computer using specialist software
  • Speech-to-text reporters – use a phonetic keyboard to capture a word-for-word recording of speech, which can then be linked to a communication screen
• Share the link to the RNID online free hearing test with staff for them to check their hearing – you can send it in an email or promote it on your staff intranet. Employees will get their results confidentially and those who might have hearing loss will get advice from RNID about the next steps.
• Hold a Deaf Awareness Week Event – arrange an informal coffee morning or a bake sale to raise money for hearing loss charities, set up workshops on deaf inclusion.
• Book a Deaf Awareness speaker – to make your workplace more inclusive, for your next conference or staff training event, check out the following inspirational speakers who bring awareness to what life is like living with hearing loss or being deaf (Deaf Awareness Week 2024: Why Celebrate & Who To Book) 
• Join the #WeSupportDeafAwareness campaign

By raising awareness of deafness and hearing loss in your organisation, you will be taking a step to becoming a more deaf-friendly employer. In celebrating Deaf Awareness Week and by educating ourselves on learning key communication tips and recognising the importance of the Deaf Community, we are reminded of the richness that diversity brings to our communities and the importance of embracing inclusivity for all.

Lizzy Turek

Client Research Associate