News / Deafness
Bristol deaf activist calls for equal access to Covid-19 information
The Government’s failure to use an interpreter during televised briefings about coronavirus is discriminating against deaf people and potentially putting lives at risk, say campaigners.
Lynn Stewart-Taylor, a deaf activist from Bristol, has been lobbying Downing Street for months to call for equal access to information.
The founder of the national Where’s The Interpreter? (WTI) campaign says Government briefings have been crucial in helping people understand what is happening, and thus minimising illness or death.
is needed now More than ever
While other governments, including those in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland provide British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters to ensure deaf people understand the latest information, Downing Street does not.
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Lynn, along with fellow organiser Mark Hodgson and other campaigners will be walking from Gloucester to Downing Street on Saturday, October 3 in a bid to convince the Government to change its mind.
“Deaf people have been telling me that the Government’s refusal sends a message to them to say ‘we don’t care if you deaf people live or die’. This is really impacting their mental health and wellbeing,” says Lynn.
The work is being supported by several deaf organisations and a crowdfunder has been launched to support the campaign. Those backing it say the Government is currently in breach of the Equality Act of 2010 and they will seek a judicial review if an interpreter is not employed.
Describing the impact of watching daily briefings without the aid of an interpreter, Lynn says on the crowdfunder page: “I knew something bad was going on but I couldn’t understand what and how bad it was, I felt sick with panic and worry.
“Had there been a sign language interpreter available while watching the news ‘live’ on the platform, it would have given me the information I needed to keep myself & my family/friends safe.”
She says it is time for the Government to take action on this.
Where’s The Interpreter Campaign is calling for the Government in England to use interpreters during national briefings – image by Lynn Stewart-Taylor
The walk leaves the Gloucester Deaf Association on Colin Road in Gloucester at 9am on Saturday, October 3. It reaches City Hall on College Green in Bristol at 11am on Tuesday, October 6, and aims to get to Downing Street on Friday, October 16.
Main photo by Teresa Garratty
Read more: Bristolians urged to follow rules amid second wave concern
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