“I was in A&E and there was no interpreter; I was frightened”, “I want my baby baptised but the priest doesn’t know sign language and didn’t understand what I was asking him”, “there was no interpreter at parents evening, I don’t know how my daughter is getting on at school”. All things that members of the Deaf Community here at Westminster have shared with us over the years. How would you feel if that was your experience? Frustrated? Angry? Stressed? Alone? Probably all of those things.
This year Caritas Deaf Service is celebrating our 50th anniversary and in preparation for our celebration we have been researching some of the history. Coming across correspondence written back in the 1980’s, members of the Deaf Community were concerned about their lack of access to the Sacraments in British Sign Language (BSL). Last year a consultation with the current attendees at our regular signed and interpreted Masses gave us very similar feedback. Despite the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act in 1985, the Equality Act in 2010 and the BSL Act in 2022, Deaf people in so many places around the country, even here in Westminster Diocese (despite our best efforts!) still do not have full access to the sacraments in BSL.
This week is Deaf Awareness Week. What could you do in your parish to raise awareness of the Deaf Community? What are you doing in your parish to welcome and include the Deaf Community? Could you host a regular signed or interpreted Mass? Do you know anyone is your parish who is already fluent in BSL and could interpret at Mass?
Here are some tips for communicating with Deaf people:
- Look directly at the Deaf person while you are speaking and don’t obstruct your face.
- Face the light, make sure your face is not in shadow.
- Speak clearly and naturally, not too fast. Exaggeratedly slowly is not helpful either.
- Re-phrase things and use different words if your message is not being understood. Words starting “b” “m” or “p” can often look the same on your lips.
- Don’t shout; it doesn’t help and makes you look angry even if you are saying something positive.
- If there is a group of people, speak one at a time and don’t talk over each other.
- Don’t give up! Persevere, re-phrase what you are saying and repeat yourself.
And if you really want the best advice for how to make your parish accessible to the Deaf Community, invite Deaf people to come and talk to you; they are the experts.
Happy Deaf Awareness Week!
