Deaf charity urges firms to be more accessible
A leading deaf charity is urging businesses in Derry to make their services more accessible to people with hearing problems - or face possible legal action.
RNID Northern Ireland claim a lack of specialist equipment in Derry premises - used to amplify speech and known as induction loops - is preventing people with hearing problems from fully accessing business services in the city.
The charity is also asking members of the public to report businesses who do not have fully operational induction loops.
Director of RNID Northern Ireland, Brian Symington, said the lack of the appropriate equipment created "unnecessary communication barriers" for hearing aid wearers.
"Unfortunately, our campaign volunteers are reporting real difficulties accessing services hearing people take for granted because induction loops either aren’t working properly or, unbelievably, aren’t switched on."
Breaking law
He said businesses who do not provide the proper equipment are breaking the law.
“According to the Disability Discrimination Act service providers must make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to allow access to disabled people so not only are businesses without fully operational induction loops missing out on potential consumer spending by Derry’s hearing aid users, they’re also leaving themselves open to legal action which could easily be avoided,” he said.
The charity is now asking people who are experiencing problems to report businesses who are not complying with the legislation.
More information is available online at www.rnid.org.uk/inductionloops or by emailing campaigns@rnid.org.uk
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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