RNID research reveals that over a quarter of deaf people are ignored in public
This Deaf Awareness Week, new research from the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) has revealed the extent of the stigma and negative attitudes that deaf people and people with hearing loss experience on a regular basis.
More than two thirds told the charity they have experienced negative attitudes or behaviours in the last year. Almost half said they also experience this from their own family members.
Its survey found that 47 per cent of deaf people and people with hearing loss said they’ve experienced members of the public shouting or talking loudly at them in the last year, and 50 per cent report people being impatient with them.
Over half report regularly being excluded from conversations, with people saying ‘it doesn’t matter’ when they struggle to understand what is being said.
One in five of people with hearing loss said most people ignore them in public settings, and this increased to 41 per cent for deaf people and 59 per cent for people who use BSL.
As well as family situations, shopping and the workplace were also highlighted as causes of stress. 51 per cent of people with hearing loss have experienced negative attitudes and behaviours from retail staff in the last 12 months, which rises to 69 per cent of deaf people and 81 per cent of BSL users.
A quarter of deaf people said they have experienced negative attitudes and behaviours from work colleagues in the last 12 months, a figure which is almost double for BSL users.
The impact of negative attitudes and behaviours in daily life is colossal: of those who experienced them, almost one in two told RNID they feel excluded, a third feel lonely or isolated, and 39 per cent said these experiences had a negative effect on their confidence. For BSL users, the impact is often more significant, with 56 per cent saying they feel disrespected by people around them.
Crystal Rolfe, Director of Strategy at RNID, said: “We can all imagine how horrible it must feel to keep hearing ‘it doesn’t matter’ when we are trying to participate in everyday conversations. But that’s the reality for huge numbers of people, who tell us they are regularly ignored, shouted at and patronised.
“One in five adults in the UK are deaf or have hearing loss, yet our research shows that every day people face negative attitudes and behaviours at work, when they’re out shopping, and even from their families.
“The impact of this can be huge: making people feel excluded, lonely, and disrespected, and destroying their confidence. Often it causes people to withdraw, to avoid others, and even hide that they are deaf or have hearing loss.
“We want people across the UK to stand with us and say that the way deaf people and people with hearing loss are treated really does matter. We know the public want to know how to do this, so we’re urging people to head to the RNID website for easy tips on good communication, and some free videos to learn basic phrases in BSL.”
RNID is urging everyone to be more inclusive and to learn some basic BSL phrases for everyday conversation. Those interested in receiving free deaf awareness tips, simple BSL videos to learn basic phrases, and in finding out about small changes they can make at home, in the workplace and out and about, are encouraged to visit the RNID website.
In recent news, Newcastle United’s front-of-shirt sponsor, Sela, introduced haptic shirts which allows deaf fans and fans with hearing loss to experience the atmosphere of a live football match.
