Deaf News: Where Is The Interpreter campaign launches Deaf Walk fundraiser

Deaf presenter Lynn Stewart-Taylor is to walk from Cardiff to London next month, to raise funds for the Where Is The Interpreter campaign.

The news comes as Lynn announced the launch of official t-shirts, which are available to buy online.

When asked why she decided to do the walk, Lynn told The Limping Chicken: “Firstly, to let the Government know that we are here. We are seen as a forgotten community, but we are here.

“Secondly, a second wave. I’m concerned – are we going to suffer again for the second time?

“Thirdly, we need money for the campaign to be stronger. The more money we have, the more we can fight and challenge the Government,” she said.

The 200-mile walk will take place over 13 days, with organisations such as the Royal Association for Deaf people (RAD), Deaf Hub Wales and the Gloucestershire Deaf Association all lending their support.

Running from 3-16 October, the walk will conclude with Lynn arriving at Downing Street, where letters from deaf organisations will be posted.

The fundraiser will also begin in the same month that Number 10 is expected to commence its new daily briefings, similar in style to that of the White House.

Lynn went on to add that money generated through the Deaf Walk could be spent in two ways.

“If there is no interpreter in October for the new briefings, then it will be used for the court challenge.

“If they have an interpreter, fine, but we will still need to challenge to change the system for future policy broadcasts.

“We need to make sure they are following the guidance to include an interpreter. At the moment, there’s nothing.

“So that’s why it’s good to have a pot of money as back-up so it shows we are serious,” she said.

#WTI Deaf Walk – Time To Take Action! Day 1 Training! pic.twitter.com/DQKbKw5Vdh

— Lynn Stewart-Taylor (@jerseysnail) September 12, 2020

Responding to a request for comment from The Limping Chicken, a Number 10 spokesperson said: “We have not yet set out dates for the televised press briefings. We will set out further details on this in due course.

“Similarly, we’re still working through the logistics of how this will work and cannot yet confirm BSL provisions other than that of course, these will be factored in.”

Individuals interested in taking part in the Deaf Walk are encouraged to walk in their local area to raise money, from now until 3 October, when people can join Lynn for a ‘virtual walk’.

“We all have an opportunity to join. If COVID stops us, we can find a way.

“The more videos posted online means people will see that we are serious. We are not giving up,” she said.

More information about the Deaf Walk and how to buy a #WhereIsTheInterpreter t-shirt can be found on the campaign’s official Facebook page, with a link to donate being made available on the RAD’s website soon.

Photo: Where Is The Interpreter Campaign.

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Update: The walk, which began on Saturday, will now see Lynn walk from Gloucester to London – not Cardiff to London, as previously reported.

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