RNID: For deaf and hard of hearing people.

[Your address]

[Address of court/tribunal]

[Date]

Dear [name of Court Manager/Clerk to Justices]

I am writing to bring to your attention my visit to [name of court or tribunal] on [date]. [If you went to court because you were part of a specific case – foe example as a claimant, defendant or witness] I attended as [state why you attended, for example as a witness] in the case of [give case name, for example R v Jones or Smith v Smith]. [If you were not directly involved in a case but were observing then say:] I was observing the case of [give the name of the case(s) you were observing and the courtroom number, for example Court 4].

[If you went to court because you were part of a specific case – for example as a claimant, defendant or witness – and your solicitor/the claimant/defendant’s solicitor had told the court that you wear hearing aids and need an induction loop or infrared system, then you should say this in the letter. For example "My solicitor wrote to the court on 2 February 2004 and informed you that I wear hearing aids and need to use an induction loop to follow what is being said in court"]

Give details of your experience. For example:

  • Staff did not know whether there was an induction loop or infrared system, or other appropriate equipment.
  • There was no induction loop or infrared system sign.
  • Staff did not know how equipment worked.
  • Staff were rude.
  • There was an infrared system but no headsets or no neckloop receivers.
  • The infrared or induction loop system, or other equipment, did not work.
  • There were ‘dead spots’ in the venue where the induction loop or infrared system did not work and the staff could not show me where I should sit.
  • There was no infrared system or induction loop system, and no alternative equipment was provided.

You should try to give the service provider clear detailed information. For example:

  • Although your staff provided me with a neckloop receiver, they did not know if there were any ‘dead spots’ in the courtroom.  Consequently, I did not know in advance that the part of the public gallery I was sitting in was one such ‘dead spot’, I was therefore unable to use the neckloop receiver and could not follow the court proceedings.
  • There were no signs indicating that an induction loop had been fitted. I spoke to court staff at the reception desk, who told me that there was an induction loop in the courtroom. When I went into the public gallery and set my hearing aid to the "T" position the loop did not appear to be working.

If you took steps to try to resolve this issue at the time, please include this information. For example:

  • I explained the problem to the usher, who went away to investigate. When the usher came back she told me that no one knew how to turn on the loop or check that the loop was working.

As you may be aware, Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) states that it is unlawful for service providers to discriminate against disabled people by providing them with a lower standard of service, or service on worse terms for reasons relating to their disability. Also, since 1 October 1999, you have been required to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to enable disabled customers to access your services. This includes altering practices, policies and procedures that make it impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled people to make use of your service. It also includes providing auxiliary aids and services. Auxiliary aids include induction loops and infrared systems. 

Under the DDA, it is your responsibility to ensure that any ‘auxiliary aids’ you provide are carefully chosen and properly maintained. Induction loop systems must be installed in accordance with British Standard 7594. Neckloop receivers, as worn by hearing aid wearers using these systems, should conform to British Standard 6083, part IV. You should have signs clearly on display to indicate the presence of such equipment and staff should be aware of how auxiliary aids such as induction loops or infrared systems work and how to use them.

I enclose copies of the following factsheets produced by RNID, which provide more information about your legal duties and working with induction loops and infrared systems:

  • The Disability and Discrimination Act (1995) – a guide for providers of goods, facilities and services.
  • Induction loop and infrared systems – information for people managing public venues.

Please consider the serious issues that my experience has raised. I look forward to receiving your written response within 21 days.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Yours sincerely