DAT (Deaf Awareness Training) provided by Ladywood based charity BID Services with Deaf people are encouraging businesses across the West Midlands to become Deaf Accessible by enrolling on Deaf Awareness Training courses (DAT).

Deaf Awareness Training courses are designed to educate people about how they can become accessible through a blend of educational and practical training that will really help people understand how to enhance their services and how these small changes will make a big difference.  

Although the charity has had successful results through campaigns such as ‘Sign Up’, which have increased the number of people learning British Sign Language across Birmingham, BID are still concerned about the levels of access for Deaf people in the second city and across the wider West Midlands; “It is essential that businesses and service providers recognise the need to facilitate accessible services to Deaf and hard of hearing people, not only to meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) but to provide  an appropriate level of service for the Deaf communities of the West Midlands.”  Said Anthony Beeby, Marketing Campaigns and PR Manager at BID.

Raising the profile around Deaf Awareness has seen the long established charity launch a number of campaigns based on communications issues and how to improve and enhance interaction between Deaf and hearing people.

“We have continued to raise awareness of Deaf issues throughout the year but there are still many barriers for Deaf people.  It is not only services but also in the work place.  There are many businesses that employ Deaf and hard of hearing people and still don’t put the correct access facilities in place because they are not trained properly.” Continued Anthony.

Although there is still a long way to go in reaching a high level of access for Deaf people BID are keen to acknowledge those people who have been Deaf Awareness Trained for helping to raise standards of Deaf accessibility;
“We have run 12 courses this year alone and are pleased that the message is getting through.  We will continue to raise awareness of the training available and the positive access and equality it can bring to services and workforces.  It is really important we don’t loose the good work so many people have done to improve accessibility.” Said Anthony in closing.

For more information about Deaf Awareness Training Courses please contact BID Communications Team:

Tel: 0121 246 6100
Email: sue.curely@bid.org.uk