RNID: For deaf and hard of hearing people.

About this factsheet

This factsheet is for anyone thinking of producing written information, for example, a leaflet, book or poster, or making a film or a website for deaf and hard of hearing people. 

We use the term deaf people to refer to deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people throughout this factsheet.

In this factsheet, we tell you about:

Deaf people in the UK

There are nine million deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK. Most will have become deaf or hard of hearing as they got older. They will be able to access information in English and will probably use subtitles on television.

However, many people who are born deaf, or become deaf in early life, use sign language to communicate. The government recently recognised BSL as a language in its own right. Current estimates suggest that 50,000 people use British Sign Language (BSL). Accessing information in English can be difficult for many BSL users.

Sign language cannot be written down, so you may want to think about producing your information in sign language on video, DVD or CD-ROM.

Why do I need to think about making my information accessible?

Under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), organisations are required to make a 'reasonable adjustment' in the way that they deliver information to the public to make it accessible to everyone. Producing a video with both BSL narration and subtitles is an excellent way of reaching people who would not otherwise have benefited from your information and services.

Writing for deaf people

Writing for deaf people is the same as writing for everyone – you need to make sure that the information you produce is easy to understand. The best way to do this is to write in plain English.

The Plain English Campaign defines plain English as 'something the intended audience can read, understand and act upon the first time they read it.' Here are some basic guidelines to get you started.

  • Keep sentences and paragraphs short.
  • Always substitute short words for long words where possible. For example, say 'use' not 'utilise' and 'buy' not 'purchase'
  • Avoid jargon.
  • Break up the writing with headings and bullet points.
  • Think about using diagrams to replace long written descriptions. Photographs can also be effective, especially if they are real people, not models.

Writing about deaf people

  • Don’t say 'the deaf.' Say 'deaf people', 'hard of hearing people' or 'people with a hearing loss'.
  • Never use the phrase 'deaf and dumb'. It is negative, outdated and offensive.
  • Many people whose first or preferred language is BSL consider themselves to be part of the 'Deaf Community'. Some may describe themselves as 'Deaf' with a capital D, to emphasise their deaf identity.
  • Try not to use negative phrases such as 'hearing impaired' or 'partially deaf'. You can say people are deaf, hard of hearing or have a hearing loss.
  • Don’t use negative terms like 'victim' or 'sufferer'.
  • Use accurate terms like 'hearing aid', not 'deaf aid' and 'cochlear implant,' not 'bionic ear'.

Producing a film

If you are producing a film, on DVD, video or CD-ROM, you can make it more accessible by including BSL narration and English subtitles with voice over narration.

BSL narration

When producing a video with BSL narration, you should use deaf sign language users. Organisations who can help with BSL narration are listed at the end of this factsheet.

Subtitles and voice over

Subtitles help to clarify complex issues and difficult words. A voice over will allow people with sight problems and hearing people to access the information.

A specialist production company will be able to arrange all the BSL narration, subtitles and voice over as well filming and editing the film. It is best that you allow them to control the project instead of attempting it yourself. Specialist production companies who have experience making films accessible to deaf people are listed at the end of this factsheet.

Forward planning

Before you contact a production company about making your film, you need to ask yourself some questions:

  • Who is the target audience?
  • What are your key messages? What do you want to achieve from this film?
  • How long does the film need to be?
  • What is the best format of your film? Think about your target audience and what is most appropriate for them. Not everyone has access to a DVD player or computer to play CD-ROMs
  • What is the timeframe and deadline for distribution? Always allow for extra time in your schedule for unexpected delays.
  • What is your budget? Always allow for extra money in your budget for unexpected expenditure. Even a short film can be expensive. You may want to explore funding or sponsorship to cover the costs.

It's a good idea to involve a deaf person from the beginning so that the script can be written in plain English and can be translated into BSL more easily.

How can I make my website accessible?

It is important to make your website accessible for everyone. Below are some tips for making sure everyone can use your website.

  • The text should be a readable size. Make sure you can resize text in the browser options.
  • Check that the colours on your website don't clash, particularly the text and background colours, as this can make reading difficult.
  • Make sure that the content is written in plain English and evenly spaced for easy reading.
  • Make sure all the images have alt tags (name tags) and that they are informative. Alt tags should accurately but briefly describe the graphic content of the image. If you are using images for headers, make sure they have alt tags that match the headers for screen reader users.
  • Are the links easy to spot and clear? Make sure the link text makes sense. Visually impaired users with screen readers navigate using links so they need to make sense when taken out of the content. 'Click here' and 'More' tell users nothing about the link target.
  • Can you navigate the site easily without using the mouse? You should be able to move around the website using only the tab key, shift-tab (to navigate forward and back) and return or enter (to follow a highlighted link or form action).
  • Is there a site map or site index on your site?
  • If there is any multi-media such as Flash, film clips, or animation, make sure it is accessible. You could provide equivalents like captions, audio or text
  • The Web Accessibility toolbar is a very useful tool for checking your website.
  • Visit "My Web My Way (external link, opens new browser window)" from the BBC for more information on accessibility.

Further information from RNID

You might find these publications useful:

RNID Information Line

The RNID Information Line can give you a range of information on deafness and hearing loss, including factsheets on legislation such as The Disability Discrimination Act.
RNID, 19-23 Featherstone Street, London EC1Y 8SL
Telephone: 0808 808 0123
Textphone: 0808 808 9000
Fax: 020 7296 8199
Email: informationline@rnid.org.uk    

AC2.com Productions Ltd

Produces fully accessible videos, DVDs and CD- ROMs.
AC2.com Productions Ltd
Telephone/textphone: 020 7231 6990
Fax: 0871 433 1600
Email: london@ac2.com
Website: www.ac2.com (external link, opens new browser window)
Glasgow Office
100 Brand Street, Glasgow G51 1DG
Tel/textphone 0141 534 7912  Fax 0871 433 1600
IP videophone: glasgow@ac2.com  

Big Umbrella Media

Produces fully accessible videos, DVDs and CD-ROMs.
Big Umbrella Media Limited, The Oracle Building, Blythe Valley Park, Solihull, West Midlands B90 8AD
Telephone: 0121 506 9620
Fax: 0121 506 9621
Email: production@bigumbrellamedia.co.uk  
Website: www.bigumbrellamedia.co.uk (external link)

REMARK!

Produces fully accessible videos, DVDs and CD ROMs.
REMARK!, 13-14 Greenwich Quay, Clarence Road, London SE8 3EY
Telephone: 020 8691 0210
Textphone: 020 8691 0226
Fax: 020 8469 3689
Email: info@remark.uk.com 
Website: www.remark.uk.com (external link, opens new browser window)

SignPost BSL

SignPost supplies BSL on-screen services for television, video, CD-ROM, DVD, film and the internet.
ITV SignPost, Television House, The Watermark, Gateshead NE11 9SZ
Telephone: 084488 15200/084488 15000
Textphone: 0191 460 5645
Fax: 0191 404 8970
Email: info@signPostbsl.com
Website: www.signpostbsl.com (external link, opens new browser window)

Plain English Campaign

For information about producing information in plain English.
Plain English Campaign, PO Box 3, New Mills, High Peak SK22 4QP
Telephone: 01663 744409
Fax: 01663 747038
Email: info@plainenglish.co.uk
Website: www.plainenglish.co.uk (external link, opens new browser window)

Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB)

For advice about producing information for people with sight problems, including deafblind people.
RNIB, 105 Judd Street, London WC1H 9NE
Telephone: 0845 766 9999
Fax: 020 7388 2034
Email: helpline@rnib.org.uk
Website: www.rnib.org.uk (external link, opens new browser window)

Sense

For advice about producing information for deafblind people.
Sense, 101 Pentonville Road, London N1 9LG
Telephone: 0845 127 0060 
Textphone: 0845 127 0062
Fax: 020 7272 6012
Email: enquiries@sense.org.uk     
Website: www.sense.org.uk (external link)

Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)

Visit WAI (external link, opens new browser window) for information on how to make your website accessible.