Top of page
Health

Barriers to healthcare for people who are deaf in Wales

Deaf female patient visiting young male doctor

People with hearing disabilities in Wales face serious challenges in getting the health care information and services that they need, according to a recently published report

The report focused on individuals who are Deaf with a capital “D”. These are people who are culturally Deaf, were typically born deaf, and use a signed language, such as British Sign Language (BSL), as their first or preferred language. In contrast, deaf (lowercase “d”) refers to the audiological condition of deafness.

While the Deaf community is relatively small, they face substantial health inequalities with increased barriers to health information and health services.

The study, which included interviews conducted in both North and South Wales with Deaf participants, indicates that a number of factors contribute to this situation. These included a lack of consistently available British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters and a general lack of understanding and awareness of sign languages and Deaf culture by healthcare providers and personnel.

Michelle Fowler-Powe, Access and Inclusion (Advocacy) Coordinator, for the British Deaf Association noted that BDA Cymru welcome this report.

She said: “the findings in the report tally with what we have found through our own surveys; in particular, the finding where members of the Deaf community are potentially at greater risk of under-diagnosis and under-treatment of chronic diseases. We very much hope that this report leads to a more detailed examination of how Deaf people’s health and wellbeing can be improved.”

The report was funded by Public Health Wales with research undertaken by Bangor University and the University of Graz in Austria to explore the barriers and enablers to staying healthy in Deaf communities and to identify potential actions for different professional groups.

 

You might also like

Person performing a exercise. Person performing a exercise.

New exercise method offers relief for people with rheumatoid arthritis

It’s a debilitating disease that affects more than 500,000 Australians,…

The Club’s Head of Charities (Positive Ageing & Elderly Care; and Healthy Community) Imelda Chan (3rd left) poses for a photo with a beneficiary of JCECC: Unison (3rd right) and other guests. The Club’s Head of Charities (Positive Ageing & Elderly Care; and Healthy Community) Imelda Chan (3rd left) poses for a photo with a beneficiary of JCECC: Unison (3rd right) and other guests.

HK launches project to improve end-of-life care for persons with disabilities

Hong Kong has launched a new initiative to improve end-of-life…

Audience member asking a question during the launch of the WHO Disability Health Equity Initiative Audience member asking a question during the launch of the WHO Disability Health Equity Initiative

WHO launches Disability Health Equity Initiative

WHO has launched the WHO Disability Health Equity Initiative, a global…

Sign Language Interpreter for DeafBlind Sign Language Interpreter for DeafBlind

Deafblind organisations call for care standards as safety concerns mount

This Deafblind Awareness week (June 23 to June 29), leading Deafblind…