Information Line (Freephone)
Telephone 0808 808 0123
Textphone 0808 808 9000
informationline@rnid.org.uk
Telephone 0808 808 0123
Textphone 0808 808 9000
informationline@rnid.org.uk
RNID: For deaf and hard of hearing people.
Are your services accessible?
We can help you to make your services accessible. We provide access and communication tips and tell you what the law says you have to do.
This information is for doctors, nurses, hospital managers or other health professionals who meet patients as part of their work.
The law says that service providers are not allowed to treat disabled people less favourably because of their disability. With deaf or hard of hearing people you may need to be more aware about the way you communicate so that you do not treat a person less favourably than others.
What the law says
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) is a law that aims to stop discrimination against people with disabilities. It gives people with disabilities equal rights and access to all areas of life, including healthcare.
The DDA applies to organisations and companies that provide goods, services or facilities within the UK to the public. This includes healthcare providers such as GPs, hospitals, pharmacies, health centres, paramedics, dentists and opticians.
You have to make reasonable adjustments if it would be impossible or unreasonably difficult for a disabled person to use your service without the adjustments. These adjustments can include the way you provide your service but they don't have to be expensive.
Making reasonable adjustments can help your patients, and save everyone time and money that could be used for patient care.
What you can do
- Ask patients how they prefer to communicate and add a note to the person’s records.
- Allow more time for appointments.
- Have a display board to announce the next appointment.
- Provide communication support, such as a sign language interpreter.
- Provide helpful equipment, such as an induction loop.
- Make sure staff are aware of RNID Typetalk, this service allows communication between textphones and telephones.
- Remember to face your patient and use other communication tips.
- At least one front-line staff member should have basic deaf awareness training.
Remember, just being aware that the patient you are speaking to may be deaf or hard of hearing can help the way you communicate with them.
What we're doing
We provide factsheets and leaflets, advice and services to help you make your services accessible to deaf and hard of hearing people. We are also campaigning to improve access to health services.