“Work with us on employment reform,” deaf charities tell Government 

Charities representing deaf people in the UK have come together to ask the Government to work with them on new welfare and employment plans.

This follows yesterday’s announcement that the Government want to have a consultation with the public on whether to cut Access to Work or introduce reforms, and what those reforms would look like.

Kirsty Dix, Campaigns Officer at SignHealth, which facilitates the deaf together campaign, said: “We welcome a consultation on the benefits system and Access to Work.  But deaf people’s lived experiences and challenges must be included in the process. Deaf people already find it difficult to access employment and to use the benefits system. We are worried if deaf people, especially BSL users, who already face several barriers to employment are not consulted with, any decisions made could make things worse instead of better.” Kirsty’s quote in BSL here.

deaf together is a campaign set up to improve the wider social indicators of health for deaf people. They are set to publish a Deaf At Work report in the coming weeks sharing research from over 600 deaf people’s experiences of employment, particularly with Access to Work, a government programme to cover communication support costs.

The report will show that reform is needed. There are excessive waiting times for applications and renewals. Deaf people report months of backlogs in processing applications, leaving deaf people waiting months to get support or even worse, having to leave their jobs.

One deaf respondent said, “I had to turn down a promotion because my ATW support was reduced.” The inefficiencies of Access to Work are the real problem, not the cost of the scheme. The report will suggest that the government need to fix these inefficiencies and improve cost-effectiveness, allowing deaf people to thrive at work with necessary support in place.

Meanwhile other charities commented on wider concerns with the Government’s announcements.

Tom Lichy, Head of Policy at British Deaf Association said: “Many deaf and disabled people rely on government support to cover basic living costs. We are especially concerned about how these changes could affect deaf people who are neurodivergent or who face mental health challenges. Deaf people are not asking for handouts. We are asking for a fair opportunity in a world that isn’t always built with everyone in mind.” Tom’s quote in BSL here.

Paula Garfield, Deaf Founder and Artistic Director of Deafinitely Theatre said: “By altering PIP criteria, the government is failing deaf and disabled creatives, placing them under greater pressure to seek alternative employment. This risks depriving the rich diversity that makes the arts so powerful, both on stage and behind the scenes. We urge policymakers to recognise the profound impact of these reforms and to protect the future of deaf and disabled artists.” Paula’s quote in BSL here.

So far, nine organisations have come forwards, including Bolton Deaf Society, British Deaf Association, Communication Unlimited, Deafinitely Theatre, Deaf Unity, Interpreters of Colour Network, NRCPD, SignHealth and Warrington & District Society for Deaf People.

The deaf organisations strongly encourage the Government to include deaf people from the start in the consultation process to make sure lived experience is included in any decision making that will affect deaf people’s lives.