Scottish Government

9.0 STRATEGIC AIM: GREENER

A Scotland which is greener will improve Scotland's natural and built environment and the sustainable use and enjoyment of it.

Deaf people will only be informed about green issues if information is provided in accessible formats so they can enjoy the environment in a sustainable way alongside their fellow citizens. Deaf people in rural areas say they receive less information than those in cities because of geographical distance and they have less opportunities to meet or act collectively. Distance also impinges on delivery of services, so that those in rural and remote areas have reduced or no access to services, access to LSPs, for example, can be severely restricted (see Kyle 2005 for more information). The project mentioned below to pilot on-line interpreting may help provide evidence which will be particularly useful for rural areas.

Making the best use of the limited number of interpreters currently available is essential and utilising resources more effectively have to be constantly explored. SASLI are to register interpreting agencies from April 2008, a quality assurance measure, which could lead to a more co-ordinated agency networking and pooled resources.

Analysis of the outcomes of the on-line interpreting pilot funded by the Enterprise and Equality Units offers valuable insights of the views of Deaf and hearing users and of interpreters. Further information will also be available from Deaf Action following an investigation in Highland on how Deaf people feel about using the technology. Also NHS 24 are keen to be kept informed on web and interpreter developments as both NHS 24 and the Scottish Government Health Directorate are currently developing e-strategies.

The Access to Communication in English report mentioned earlier suggested:

"… the spread of Remote Contact Centres taking advantage of improvements in both telephony and internet access to allow remote Electronic Notetaking, making for more efficient use of LSPs' time. In addition it was thought that Speech Recognition Software might lead to alternatives to Speech to Text Reporting, though it was recognised that there was still some way to go in perfecting this technology. Work on both these suggestions and others are still proceeding, but investment in such facilities is still low in contrast to the potential demand."

9.1 INFORMATION PROVISION

Ensuring the provision of information reaches deaf and deafblind people is vital in achieving all government objectives. Those people who cannot access the information through written English will, largely miss information about the natural and the built environment and the approach government takes towards it. Unless information is provided in BSL on websites, on a dvd or via an interpreter it is likely to leave deaf and deafblind people unable to fully engage in the opportunities on offer. The creative use of appropriate information technology would reduce the amount of travelling deaf people have to undertake to have written information translated to them.

Accessibility to written information is improving but it is not always in the right place, at the right time for deaf people who use English. For deafened and hard of hearing adults relevant written information provided at GPs surgeries, Health Centres and audiology departments would be a significant first step in addressing their immediate needs and would be timely, thereby, saving effort which would need to be expended later. Deaf people who access information in English are able to benefit from the general accessibility campaigns such as Fair for All, Crystal Clear Plain English Campaign, Scottish Accessible Information Forum standards.

Information provision has to be tailored for the different deaf groups depending on their communication preferences and needs.

This may mean:

• BSL translation on web pages or dvd
• Large print
• Plain English
• Plain English with graphics
• Face-to-face information for some deafblind people
• Face-to-face information for some BSL users depending on the topic

Summary

9.2 DIGITAL INCLUSION

Digital Inclusion is placed here within the strategic aim of Greener as it does offer some potential solutions towards countering rural isolation and the need to travel long distance. It does however, cut across other crucial strategic objectives, such as Wealthier and Fairer.

The Digital Inclusion in Partnership Strategy was published in 2006 is at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/02/28141134/0. The focus since has been on mainstreaming digital inclusion and looking to service providers to take the lead. Statistics gathered for the production of the strategy recorded how many people with a hearing difficulty had access to the internet.

Access to the internet by whether person has a hearing difficulty

Adult population

This figure of 18% of deaf people compared to 53% of the population with access to the internet reminds us that whilst technological solutions to access are useful and will become increasingly so, there are still many deaf people who cannot benefit because they are remain excluded. There may be significant differences between the age groups, with younger deaf people, like their peers who are not deaf, having more internet access than older people. Work around Digital Inclusion has established that access to the internet alone is not a solution and issues of support, help, motivation, and other social exclusion issues need to be considered holistically.

As part of the 'Digital Inclusion in Partnership' strategy: 'Making Your Computer Easier to Use' a guide was produced http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/Open-scotland/accessibilityguide

Summary

9.3 TELEVISION

9.3.1 DIGITAL SWITCHOVER

As with many other government initiatives the switchover to digital television (a Westminster power) relies heavily on the written word and broadcasting to keep the public informed. A pertinent question was asked of the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport about " whether there are plans to set up an email helpline for Digital UK to enable those with hearing difficulties to make enquiries on digital switchover. The response was that Digital UK intends to introduce a public e-mail contact channel in autumn 2008. The RNID has advised that e-mail is an accessible communications channel for deaf and hard of hearing people and a specific address for them would not be required. Digital UK's customer contact centre staff have undergone disability awareness training and are able to answer questions relating to all aspects of digital switchover."

Digital UK has a text service number 0845 234 0380 which is included on all information leaflets, including door-drops sent to every household in a TV region in the build up to switchover. As digital switchover approaches in a region, Digital UK will work through organisations which represent deaf people at a local or regional level to reach those who may need extra help to switch. RNID and Telecommunications Action Group, a consortium of national organisations working on behalf of deaf people to promote equality of access to broadcasting and other electronic communications, are members of the Consumer Expert Group which advises Government and Digital UK on consumer issues relating to digital switchover. (Hansard Written Answers 18 February 2008)

9.3.2 SUBTITLING

News Release June 2008

" BBC Vision has confirmed that it has reached its target of subtitling 100% of programmes on its main channels - BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC Four, CBeebies, CBBC and BBC News.

Deaf and hard of hearing people will now be able to fully enjoy the complete range of BBC television programmes on these networks. The BBC's ambitious commitment to subtitle 100% of its programmes was made in 1999 and has required the development of new speech recognition technology. The service now amounts to more than 50,000 hours of subtitled content each year and this includes all the BBC's National and Regional programming on BBC One and Two. Delivering access services on demand via the BBC iPlayer is the BBC's next priority."

Susan Daniels, Chief Executive of NDCS, said, "We congratulate the BBC for achieving 100% subtitled output on its main channels. For the UK's 35,000 deaf children and young people, television is a vital window on the world and an important part of their enjoyment, social development and education."

In Scotland, Heriot-Watt University is doing work on subtitling and 'respeaking'. This is one of the lead centres in the UK on subtitling.

9.4 TELECOMMUNICATIONS

It is only in recent years that deaf people who are unable to hear speech on the telephone have been able to access telephone services, initially by text-phones and telephone relay services and more recently via mobile phones and the internet. This brings them into line with other citizens and has reduced the amount of travelling deaf people used to undertake for face to face engagement. For example in the past to make a simple appointment they had to visit the agency to book in person. As access in BSL becomes more widely available Deaf people in particular will benefit but the low level of internet access referred to in 9.2 must be recognised. It may be possible that the level of internet access by BSL users is higher than the sample taken in Scottish Digital Alliance report as that captured the general population where deafness is most predominant amongst older people. The development of access via the internet and mobile 'phone should increasingly help to reduce the time deaf people spend travelling and so reduce their carbon footprint.

The Telecommunications Action Group ( TAG) is a group whose members are made up of all the major national and regional UK deaf organisations with an interest in electronic communications. There are also a number of members co-opted for their expertise in specific areas such as mobile telephony, videophones or regulatory affairs. TAG's remit includes all electronic communications including broadcasting and its officers hold regular meetings with BT Age & Disability, other telephony service providers, broadcasters, Ofcom and other interested parties. Currently the Universal Services Order places the burden on those companies which have significant market power ( SMP) - in the UK these are BT, and Kingston Communications in Hull. Because BT fund the current relay service, RNID Typetalk, they also exercise a lot of control over how it is developed and how much money it receives. It has been suggested that if a Universal Services Fund ( USF) was introduced to add a "levy" (say 1 pence per bill) to all customers this fund could help pay for relay services. This would prevent restrictions on the development of services and allow users more choice in both the kind of equipment that is available to them, and which relay service they choose to use. http://www.tagcomm.org.uk/hstry.htm

As technology develops new solutions to overcoming existing barriers for deaf people are emerging such as online interpreting services. It will be important to keep in touch with new developments as they emerge and explore their potential to benefit deaf people. 3G technology will provide a useful platform as it becomes more widespread and affordable.

9.5 BSL ON THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT WEB SITE

The Scottish Government web site is extensive and informative but has currently hardly any facility for Deaf people to access it in BSL. The only exception is a very brief introduction to the BSL& LA home page on the web site which was recently translated by a Deaf presenter and filmed by the in-house unit. The lack of BSL across the web site severely restricts the information Deaf people are able to obtain about all areas of government. Many external organisations are providing at least part of their web sites in BSL and these are much smaller organisations than government. Ironically some are being funded by the Scottish Government to make their sites more accessible, e.g. the Fire and Rescue Service, yet the government's own site is not keeping pace. It is becoming increasingly clear that the task of introducing BSL to the Government web site is unavoidable, if daunting in its scale. A sub group of the BSL& LAWG is to be convened in late 2008 with BSL users as members to give their perspective on this and other aspects of government accessibility.

BSL on Web Pages

Many providers of web sites are willing to update their sites to make them more accessible to deaf people and are looking for advice on how to do this. One example is NHS24 which wanted to upload BSL materials on to their website and a specialist organisation gave them a list of DVD and web page producers. The member organisations of the BSL& LAWG have experience in this.

Here is a recent example of accessible BSL on the web - Lothian Deaf Counselling Service www.lothiandcs.org.uk

Summary

9.6 THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT

BSL/English interpreting services and language support in English are available with prior notice to tour the Scottish Parliament building. Visitors are requested to try to give 2 weeks notice to book the tour with a BSL/English interpreter. In addition 3 members of staff in the Parliament building have BSL Level 2. On the Parliamentary website there is a video in BSL describing the tour of the building. There is also a Lets Do Democracy video aimed at young people.

In January 2008 we were informed: " The Scottish Parliament have re-filmed and updated their information in BSL on 'How The Scottish Parliament Works' - the BSL clips are available either on their website at the following link:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/language/bsl/index.htm

… or by contacting them (details also on that link) to request a copy on DVD. When you request a copy you have a choice - BSL only, BSL with Voiceover or BSL with Subtitles."

It is now possible to contact the Parliament via a new Text Messaging Service

The publicity says you can use the service to:

• get the names of your MSPs - just by sending in your postcode
• ask questions about the Scottish Parliament and its work
• request free leaflets (if you text PACK and your name and address they will send you a selection of Public Information Service publications).

The number for the text service is 07786 209888. (Standard network rates apply.)

All feedback about the service is welcome, so get in touch directly with the parliament if you have any thoughts or comments.

More details can be found on the website: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/publicInfo/textservice.htm