Euan’s Guide offers free face mask exempt badges   Euan’s Guide has produced face mask exempt badges which they will be giving out free of charge while stocks last. The badges are a direct response to feedback the charity is getting from users about their concern of being judged for not wearing a face mask. Research from Disability Rights UK showed that nearly 60% of people who cannot wear a face covering fear being challenged for not wearing one. The Euan’s Guide badges can help individuals who are exempt from wearing masks easily identify themselves to try to prevent unnecessary
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Coronavirus (COVID-19): Scotland’s route map through and out of the crisis – Accessible Formats The Sottish Government published Scotland’s route map through and out of the crisis, which sets out the plans for easing Scotland’s coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions in four phases. The Scottish Government has produced the route map in the following accessible formats: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Phase 1: Scotland’s route map update – easy read version. You can view BSL translations of the chapters of this publication in a YouTube playlist (they are also embedded in each section). Audio versions of the chapters on Soundcloud
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Edinburgh Based Company Create Lip Reading Face Masks An Edinburgh company has created face masks for the deaf community which enable sight of mouth for lip-reading. The lip-reading facemask Breathe Easy, created by Gavin McAdam, has been inundated with orders for the products after trialling the prototypes in early April. The masks include a plastic insert which allow for lip-reading. The company is creating around 200 masks a day and 5,000 have already been distributed free to those in need. Plans are already in place to increase production. Fore more information about the masks, visit the Breathe Easy website.
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Inclusive Communication-Added to Coronavirus Scotland No 2 Bill On behalf of deafscotland, Mark Griffin MSP, Convenor of the Cross Party Group on Deafness agreed to take forward an amendment to the Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Bill on Inclusive Communication. “Amendment 51 seeks to ensure that, in using its powers under the bill, the Government does so in a way that is inclusive and communicates appropriately with all people, particularly those who have a disability or communication needs. The amendment, which is sponsored by deafscotland would align the duties on Government under the bill with those in the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 and
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Easy Read information about Domestic Abuse   People First (Scotland) have created some Easy Read information about Domestic Abuse in partnership with the Scottish Commission for Learning Disability and Scottish Government. View the information on the People First (Scotland) website.
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Police Scotland ‘Your Police 2020-2021’ BSL Survey Police Scotland has launched a BSL version of their Your Police 2020-2021 survey.  This survey asks for the views of the public on policing particularly the police response during the Covid 19 pandemic. View the BSL version on the Police Scotland Citizen Space page.
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COVID-19: deafscotland – Equality and Integration through Communication for All Gratitude for the NHS runs through the DNA of Scots generally and specifically now when staff bravery, skills, knowledge, adaptability and intensive focus changes, improves and saves lives.  For many of the one million Scots affected by deafness, appreciation is routine and regular because the NHS plays a crucial role in enabling us to hear and consequently be included in family conversations, social events, employed, included in community consultations and enable our voice to be heard every day as and when we have something to say.  However, deafness is a
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COVID-19: Use of phone & video calls for delivering health, care & befriender services A new video resource from Ideas for Ears is now available to support managers, staff and volunteers who are using phone and video calls to deliver health, care and befriender services to older people, a high proportion of whom have hearing loss.  The video is highly practical and looks at problems caused for those not easily able to hear and follow what’s said on phone or video calls, and how to fix them.  Phone and video calls are being used far more than ever before due
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COVID-19: How to Run Accessible Online Meetings for disabled people working and studying from home The webinar includes lots of practical tips about making sure your online meetings and webinars can be accessed by disabled people. The video Includes help with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Hangouts and more. Presenters include Adam Tweed and Robin Christopherson of AbilityNet, Michael Vermeersch of Microsft, Ghizzi Dunlop of Uni of Wes of England and Alistair McNaught of McNaught Consulting. More details at www.abilitynet.org.uk/webinars – include transcripts, answers to questions, useful links and more free webinars.
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COVID-19: Hearing Aid Batteries and Public Libraries Support The following information relates to provisions for those who collect hearing aid batteries from public libraries as many have closed due to COVID-19 measures.   In some places, libraries are being used as the venues for Community Hubs, so batteries are being distributed as part of an overall package of support from these venues.  In most cases, libraries are looking for the NHS audiology departments to assist. The Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) has confirmed that although the distribution process for hearing aid differs between local authorities, SLIC have assured the Scottish
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