RAD partner with UK Power Networks

PRESS RELEASE

28 April 2014

UK Power Networks partner with RAD to make vital information accessible to Deaf people

UK Power Networks (UKPN), the power company for London, The South East and East of England, has launched a partnership with the Royal Association for Deaf people, (RAD),  to make important information accessible.

One of the many ways RAD is working with UKPN is by producing videos  in British Sign Language (BSL)  to feature on UKPN’s website, covering vital information including:

• How to get in touch with UKPN
• Advice on what to do in the event of a power cut
• How UKPN let people know about  planned power cuts
• Staying safe around electricity
• How to sign up to UKPN’s Priority Services Register (PSR)  – which keeps vulnerable people updated in a power cut via phone/sms

In addition to the BSL videos, UKPN and RAD held a joint customer focus group with hard of hearing and Deaf customers, explaining and promoting the PSR.

Some further ways the two organisations are working together include:

• Engaging with other Deaf and Hard of Hearing organisations across UKPN’s regions to promote the accessible information
• Creating accessible promotional material for the UKPN’s PSR
• A presentation to explain the role of UKPN  through workshops and face-to-face interaction with the Deaf community

Dr Jan Sheldon, Chief Executive for RAD said “We work with Deaf people to make mainstream services more accessible. Our partnership with UK Power Networks has been enormously beneficial. For the first time ever, Deaf people have access to information about UK Power Networks’ services in their first language. They also have information about the Priority Services Register and why this is important”.

Eva Cahill, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager for UK Power Networks said: “We are committed to ensuring that the service we provide our customers is of the same high level across the board, and that we are constantly improving and adapting to the needs of all our customers. We also think it is vital that we play an active role in the communities we serve, and partnerships such as this help us to be able to do this. I would like to thank RAD for all their support in helping us craft our message to the Deaf community across our three regions.”

The BSL clips can be viewed at: http://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/internet/en/video-gallery/british-sign-language/

Ends

Note to Editors:

Royal Association for Deaf people promotes equaility for Deaf people through the provision of accessible services in British Sign Language including advice, advocacy, social care. For more information visit www.royaldeaf.org.uk

UK Power Networks distributes more than a quarter of the UK’s electricity through its networks of substations, underground cables and overhead lines making sure the lights stay on across London, the South East and the East of England, regardless of who customers pay their energy bills to. A range of other companies deliver power to the rest of the country. For more information visit www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk