Member Article

Retailers urged to improve deaf awareness

RETAILERS are being urged to improve their deaf awareness skills by a Durham-based charity.

Signature’s latest ‘Get Deaf Aware’ campaign is directed at businesses with staff and customers who have hearing loss and aims to promote equality and make their life easier by providing simple, effective training and techniques.

With more than 10 million people in the UK affected by deafness the charity is asking people to sign up and show their commitment to improving communication with those who have hearing loss.

As part of the campaign, and to show businesses just how easy it is to improve deaf awareness skills, Signature is offering them the opportunity to register for a free training course.

After completing the free training the charity hopes that businesses will realise how easy it is to ‘Get Deaf Aware’ and undertake one of the other staff training options available. From a simple 30 minute online course which is presented in a fun, interactive format and can be done literally anywhere and anytime to off-the-shelf instructor led training and completely bespoke packages.

Signature’s communications manager, Emma Mortimer, said: “What we are talking about here is taking a few simple steps, learning some straightforward techniques and taking the time to think and make life easier for those with hearing loss.

“We want businesses to realise they are excluding a huge number of people and potential customers by not being deaf aware. It’s really important to recognise and cater for those people with hearing loss - you can literally change the lives of some of your staff and customers for the better.

“It’s not just fair on them but it makes good business sense too, especially when you consider the potential legal, equality and diversity issues.”

A direct mail campaign has been distributed to more than 3000 businesses, decision makers and a dedicated retail page has been added to the Get Deaf Aware’s website which has advice, further details and costs.

The site also includes simple, fun lipreading examples so users can measure how good their deaf awareness skills are before the training.

Get Deaf Aware is a national campaign to enhance awareness and best practice in everyday deaf and hearing loss communications through increased understanding and training. Course content, qualifications and accreditation come from Signature, the UK’s leading awarding body in deaf communication.

Get Deaf Aware can also offer employers advice, guidance and access to tailored training solutions which have been created to meet current UK Equality & Diversity laws. For more information please contact info@getdeafaware.org.uk or telephone 0191 383 7903.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Richard Crulley .