Unheard Stories – Improving access for Deaf visitors

Improving Access for Deaf Visitors Linda Ellis, Wolverhampton Arts and Museums Service linda.ellis@wolverhampton.gov.uk

d/Deaf Visitors
The term Deaf is used for people that use sign language as their first language
People who use sign language as their first language tend to have lower reading skills than those whose first language is English
Some deaf people us sign supported English rather than British sign language
British sign language was recognised as an official language in March 2003
Not all d/Deaf people can lip read
Deaf people are one of the most excluded groups in our society

Our Deaf visitors told us they wanted:
Any written information to be as short and as simple as possible
Information in sign language (BSL)
To be able to explore the exhibits independently
To hear stories about local people and about museum objects
Events just for Deaf people

Signed videos that Deaf visitors can watch on hand held MP3 players and on our website Our Solution

Our Solution
Wrote information specifically aimed at Deaf visitors as we didn’t have material we felt was suitable
Translated the English text into British sign language which was then filmed
Signing by local Deaf people not interpreters
Videos filmed on site rather than in a studio
Put videos on our website to tell Deaf visitors what to expect when they visit
Put videos on our website to tell Deaf visitors what to expect when they visit
Developed a guide made up of a number of short videos which visitors watch on a hand held player

Its not rocket science and you probably do some of it already …
Make sure any text you write is simple and straightforward
If you have audio guides, provide a written version or develop a written alternative
If you can afford it, develop signed interpretation with subtitles and an English voice over
Add subtitles to any videos you produce
Provide d/Deaf awareness training for all staff and volunteers
Organise events lead by Deaf people as well as providing interpreters
Have a mobile phone for text messages
Send email alerts to Deaf contacts

Unheard Stories – Improving access for Deaf visitors

by Museums Computer Group on Apr 23, 2008

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Unheard Stories – Improving access for Deaf visitors — Presentation Transcript