New web service for Deaf and hard of hearing residents

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CARMARTHENSHIRE County Council is to launch a new web facility using British Sign Language to communicate information about its services.

 

Working with Welsh company Deaf Friendly Business Solutions, the council has just started making the first in a series of videos that will be uploaded to a dedicated British Sign Language area on its website. www.deaf-friendly.co.uk

The first clip aims to give an introduction about the council, its various services and the facilities it has in place to engage with the deaf community.

New videos will be added over time, following feedback from its users.

Philip Lewis, Senior Practitioner with Deaf People, said: “As a council we are committed to promoting equality and inclusion, which is why we were keen to develop a dedicated section of the website which we can develop with the help of people who are Deaf or hard of hearing.

“We filmed the first video last week, and invited some members of staff who are Deaf to observe and give us ongoing feedback.”

The council has linked up with Deaf Friendly and Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services to produce the video clips.

This latest venture is one of many ways the council communicates with people of all abilities.

Signs and symbols are used to help communicate with people with learning disabilities and Braille or large print literature, and audio recordings are made available to people with blindness and impaired vision.

Sign language and lip-reading translation services are also made available.

For further information on these services visit the health and social care pages on the authority’s website www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk


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