Deaf News: Deaf father-to-be has been refused a sign language interpreter for baby’s birth

Posted on September 20, 2012 by


This is Hull and East Riding website has reported how Deaf actor Adam Bassett has been denied a sign language interpreter for the birth of his first child.

According to the site:

Adam Bassett, 31, of Hull, says he has already missed out on important appointments and birthing classes after being denied an interpreter by Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust.

Although the trust does provide British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters and interpreters in 30 different languages to its patients, the couple cannot have one because Mr Bassett is not the actual patient.

He now fears something might go wrong at the birth that he will not be able to understand. Mr Bassett said: “I feel discriminated against by the trust.

“BSL has been legally recognised as an official language since 2003 by the Government.

“It’s unfair for us having been caused so much stress at an important time in our lives and I have missed out on much of the experience, which we can never get back.”

To read the full story, click here: http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/Deaf-dad-s-birth-fears-NHS-refuses-sign-language/story-16944556-detail/story.html

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Posted in: deaf news