Information, documents & forms
Service Information
If you would like more information regarding our services or a Request Form in Word or PDF format, please use the links below:
Useful Information
To assist you in communicating with a deaf person we have produced the following information:
Duty to Provide
A deaf person should not be made to pay for a Language Service Professional (LSP). A service provider is required to make their service accessible to all customers, including deaf people.
In 2003 the UK Government formally recognised British Sign Language (BSL) as a language of the UK. Although BSL has yet to attain legal protection, a number of Acts of Parliament and Codes of Practice require the use of BSL / English Interpreters and Language Support Professionals (LSP).
The Disability Discrimination Act (1995) and subsequent amendments placed a duty on service providers (commercial, voluntary and statutory) to make ‘reasonable adjustments’. This Act was superseded by the Equalities Act (2010) which incorporates all anti-discrimination legislation, including disability.
This Act ensures disabled people do not endure discrimination whilst accessing a given service. The Disability Rights Commission (2000-2007), which has now been amalgamated into the Equality & Human Rights Commission, published a guide ‘The duty to provide a BSL / English Interpreter under the Disability Discrimination Act (1995)’.
Since the advent of the Equalities Act further guidance has been issued and this can be found at: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/new-equality-act-guidance/
However, not all deaf people use BSL and other forms of LSPs ( Deafblind Interpreters, Deaf Relay, Lipspeakers and Speech to Text Reporters (Palantypists, Stenographers, QWERTY Speed Typists and Notetakers)), also constitute a ‘reasonable adjustment’.
Other supporting legislation and guidance relates to the Judiciary, Police, Health and Social Services. More information is available in the FAQs or by using the links below:
- Home Office - www.homeoffice.gov.uk
- CPS - www.cps.gov.uk
- Criminal Court Review - www.criminal-courts-review.org.uk
- Police - www.police.homeoffice.gov.uk
- NHS - www.dh.gov.uk
- Social Services- www.adass.org.uk
We use an INCLUSIVE CHARGE which includes the professional fee, administration charge, travel expense, travel time and subsistence*
