Digital Inclusion Project – Leeds

In April 2024 we launched a Deaf Digital Inclusion Project, funded by Leeds Community Foundation, aimed at working with the Deaf community in Leeds to help people learn about technology available and build their digital confidence. Through this, we hoped to enable people to maximise the opportunities that new technology offers supporting independence and communication.

BID Services, in collaboration with The Ian Karten Charitable Trust, has expanded its Karten Centre to better serve individuals in Leeds. Karten Centres form a network of specialised IT hubs designed to support adults with various disabilities, impairments, and unique needs. These centres aim to empower individuals by promoting self-confidence and skill development. BID Services’ originally had a Karten Centre in Birmingham and new funding enabled us to expand with new Karten Centre in Leeds which has supported delivery of our Deaf Digital Inclusion Project.

Accessing services can be challenging for D/deaf and hard of hearing people because of communication barriers. But with new technology, such as BSL video relay interpreting, things are improving significantly. These tools help D/deaf and hard of hearing individuals take control of things like healthcare, banking, and utilities independently. Through our project we have worked with the D/deaf and hard of hearing community in Leeds to enable people to maximise the opportunities this new technology can offer.

Interactive Workshops for Digital Confidence

We organised 8 face-to-face workshops which focused on introducing video interpreting services such as SignLive, SignVideo and InterpreterLive. During these workshops, we covered:

• How to download and set up the apps on their devices.
• How to make phone calls using each app.
• Understanding each app’s unique features, such as call packages and pricing.

Individual Support

While workshops introduced the basics, we also provided one-on-one support to each client. These personalised sessions focused on using the BSL interpreting apps and gathering feedback. This approach helped address specific challenges and further boosted clients’ confidence in using the services independently.

Ongoing Support

To ensure ongoing access to support, we have also created video resources in British Sign Language (BSL). These ‘How to’ videos cover the topics explored in the workshops and provide step-by-step tutorials on how to download and use the apps on both iOS and Android. These videos are accessible online and will be promoted through our social media platforms, allowing those who missed the workshops to benefit from the information.

“Thank you so much for showing me how to make my own call. So much better that I can do it in my own time and at home” – Shobhan

We would like to once again extend our heartfelt thanks to The Ian Karten Charitable Trust and Leeds Community Foundation for their continued support.