RNID: For deaf and hard of hearing people.

A recent survey, carried out at five venues in Edinburgh and four venues in Glasgow, showed the country's attractions lack a clear strategy about how to make facilities accessible to deaf and hard of hearing people.

  • The National Galleries of Scotland had friendly staff. However, they lacked deaf awareness and there were no British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted tours and no subtitled recordings on TV screens around the gallery.
  • Lack of deaf awareness was also apparent at the Fringe Information Office, Dynamic Earth, Playhouse Theatre and the Lighthouse. Staff were also unsure where the induction loop was.
  • Staff at the King's Theatre knew there was an induction loop but did not know how it worked.  The King's Theatre offered just one BSL interpreted performance in five months - and this was not advertised. 
  • Staff at the Glasgow Concert Hall said they would be happy to organise an interpreter for performances – if they were asked in advance.  They also offered seating in a specific area of the concert hall, which is equipped with an infrared system that helps hearing aid users. 

The survey was carried out by profoundly deaf people and showed that while selected centres welcomed deaf and hard of hearing visitors – in some cases producing access guides – most failed to be sufficiently accessible for this group of the population.

Maggie Williams, Director of RNID Scotland said, "There is still much ignorance among arts venues about how to include deaf and hard of hearing people. The modifications now required by law, under the Disability Disrimination Act (DDA), are simple, affordable and achievable.  And yet many centres are failing to meet these obligations."