Coronavirus: BSL interpreters express concerns for Deaf community and their personal safety

British Sign Language interpreters have told The Limping Chicken of their anxiety and concern around the coronavirus outbreak, as the UK Government continues to update its plan to fight the pandemic.

In a briefing from Downing Street on Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that “now is the time” for members of the public to stop “non-essential contact with others” and all unnecessary travel.

“We need people to start working from home where they possibly can. And you should avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other such social venues,” he said.

As the announcement came through, Dionne Thomas, an interpreter from Liverpool, said she felt “shocked”.

She writes: “[I am] still trying to grasp how it will impact the everyday lives of everyone and already seeing potentially negative impacts for Deaf people, especially older deaf people.”

Alim Jadavji, a London-based interpreter, says he feels very anxious and unsure about the way things are being managed. “Personally, I feel it is a situation that can’t be helped, but could be managed better.”

Elsewhere, an interpreter from South East England, who wishes to remain anonymous, tells me they are worried about how the government has been responding to the rise in cases.

“Especially the seeming lack of financial support/considerations for the self-employed and many of the industries that are affected by the ‘advice’ for their customers to stay away.

“I am grateful that the government seems to be stepping up to take the appropriate measures to counter the virus, given the results other countries have had,” they continue, “but their lack of support and full guidance doesn’t help us emotionally and psychologically deal with this.

“I’m glad to see social media having positive moments of the human spirit/collective coming together to help out humankind!”

Alim tells me he still has various clients as an interpreter that still require meetings face-to-face. “This could be because of various reasons, so have still had to head out into the world and do those bookings,” he explains. “I am also self-employed so cannot afford necessarily to not do them.

“There are vulnerable people out there that do not necessarily have access to technology to do things remotely so these bookings have to be considered and not ignored. I have ensured in those situations that minimal contact and distance is made and questions of health are asked before commencing any booking.”

Meanwhile, Dionne says her work has “increased significantly” as a video relay service (VRS) interpreter due to the outbreak. “More bookings, new customers and increased enquiries,” she says. “I have also received many new enquiries from BSL interpreters who want to join VRS as face to face bookings are starting to be cancelled which is reducing income and the livelihoods of many interpreters.”

As well as remote sessions, she also says that face-to-face bookings are still being requested. “However, it is difficult to predict if BSL interpreters will still be able to attend these bookings,” Dionne explains. “Possible symptoms within the family may have them self-isolating, we are being asked to only make essential travel trips and of course, we may not have symptoms but still carry the virus, potentially risking the health of the very people we are trying to support.”

It’s a problem the South England interpreter raises too. “It feels very challenging as an interpreter right now,” they say. “You don’t want to let the Deaf community down and their access needs. You also worry about the choice between working and protecting your own health.

“Having adequate support is even more important right now,” they continue. “We need to look after ourselves first – not to be seen as a selfish act, but so we can serve our communities from a stronger place.”

Dionne goes on to add that most people aren’t aware that “self-employed interpreters cannot claim for loss of earnings” if they or a family member has to self-isolate.

“The government has announced support for small businesses and self-employed people who already claim Universal Credit,” she continues. “Of course, most BSL interpreters don’t claim any benefits at all so this has left huge financial risk for most BSL interpreters.

“Even sick pay isn’t available and interpreters have to earn less that £118 per week to claim Universal Credit or ESA. It really is a terrible situation for interpreters which potentially increases risks to deaf people not getting the support they need.

“We just don’t know the full picture yet and depending on how long the ‘distancing’ phase continues, we may see some interpreters claiming unemployment benefits. Of course, we hope it doesn’t come to that!”

Asked if she is now doing anything differently following the outbreak, she replies by saying that she has worked with other interpreters, learners and deaf organisations to create an action plan for older deaf people who have to self-isolate for 12 weeks.

“It’s early days and we are still gathering connections but we hope to offer regular communication (letter or virtual), shopping, prescription collection and VRS access to local GP surgeries and chemists. It’s really great to see so many supporters of the Deaf community coming together to support one another in this difficult time.

“One thing I am personally doing is offering support and advice. If I see a deaf person post that their GP is closed and only has a phone number, I offer to call using VRS – no charge of course!

“I share BSL Covid-19 information at every opportunity and respond to questions by sharing what I hear on the news et cetera, including sharing the SignHealth Covid-19 BSL videos with all of our deaf customers at Involve Interpreter,” she says.

The offer of VRS support for chemists and GP conversations comes amid wider concerns around British Sign Language access to guidance issued by Number 10, with an online petition calling for information on the coronavirus to be provided in BSL receiving over 12,000 signatures at the time of writing.

Meanwhile a petition has also launched on the Parliament petitions website, which will require the government to respond if it reaches over 10,000 signatures. It has currently been signed by over 1,200 people.

It also follows our report from 2018 which revealed UK hospital trusts and ambulance trusts’ emergency British Sign Language policies, including a few with no interpreting service available for 999 callouts. This leads to questions about what communication support a Deaf BSL user would receive should they need emergency care during the coronavirus crisis.

As more interpreters move to online working, the Association of Sign Language Interpreters (ASLI) tweeted on Tuesday: “Lots of [sign language interpreters] are moving to working online at short notice. We still advise trainee/<3 years interpreters not to do VRS work.

“Working 1:1 via video, assess as normal,” they said.

Facebook groups have already surfaced offering support to Deaf people, with Covid 19 Deaf Support North West bringing people together in the north west of England.

Alim and Dionne have also provided their email addresses to The Limping Chicken for people to contact if needed.

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is a mildly deaf freelance journalist and blogger from Bedfordshire. He wears bilateral hearing aids and can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.