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contactScotland video relay service extended to third sector
contactScotland, the service that provides access to public services in British Sign Language (BSL), has been extended. BSL users will now be able to contact community groups, voluntary organisations, charities, social enterprises and co-operatives in their own language. Jim Edwards, chair of the UK Council on Deafness, said: “The UK Council on Deafness applauds the Scottish Government’s […]
Read MoreWorld Hearing Day, 3rd March
Teeth checked! Eyes Checked. What about your hearing? Professional hearing care makes you both healthier and smarter. Maybe it’s time to get your hearing checked. Get a free hearing test on March 3 . On WHO World Hearing Day, March 3, you can in many European countries get a free hearing test by visiting […]
Read MoreDWP pilots Access to Work personal budgets
On Monday the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith, announced a pilot of personal budgets for the Access to Work scheme. In a statement to Parliament he said: “We are trialling a new feature of the access to work scheme. From today we shall be testing the use of personal budgets, which […]
Read MoreDWP trials access by telephone for sign language users
People who use British Sign Language (BSL) can now contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) via telephone. DWP has begun a six month pilot of a service that allows people whose first or only language is BSL to contact DWP about Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance (65+), Disability Living Allowance (under 65) and […]
Read MoreHelp for deaf people in BSL with completing tax returns
Deaf self-employed people can get free advice in British Sign Language with completing their tax return, thanks to a new service from RAD and HMRC Royal Association for Deaf people and HMRC’s innovative new service makes tax information and advice more accessible to Deaf people. The January 31st deadline for submitting online Self Assessment forms […]
Read MoreDWP seeks evidence for market review
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is seeking evidence for a review of the communication and language support market. The Department today published the call for evidence. The deadline for submissions is 4 March 2016. The review is being led by DWP but covers the whole of the UK; all forms of support that […]
Read MoreAccess to Work: factsheet for customers
The Department for Work and Pensions has now published its factsheet for customers about Access to Work both in English and BSL which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/access-to-work-factsheet
Read MoreDWP piloting online access to Access to Work
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is looking for new deaf and deafblind applicants to help it pilot its online application system for Access to Work DWP believes deaf and deafblind people will particularly benefit from the new online service. They will appreciate UK Council on Deafness members advising new deaf applicants to email ATW.DIGITALFIRSTCONTACT@DWP.GSI.GOV.UK saying they want to […]
Read MoreJim Fitzpatrick MP new chair of APPG on Deafness
Jim Fitzpatrick MP was today elected char of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Deafness at an extraordinary general meeting. The vote became necessary after the previous chair, Lilian Greenwood MP, was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Transport. One of Jim’s first aims as chair is to secure a Westminster Hall debate on NHS […]
Read MoreNRCPD seeks statutory regulation
The National Registers of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People (NRCPD) has announced its intention to seek statutory regulation of communication and language professionals. NRCPD is asking for the support of UK Council on Deafness members to make sure deaf and deafblind people know about its plans. In particular, NRCPD will appreciate it […]
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