National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat)’s Post

Our board president, Anthony Maginity, P.E., is presenting at 2axend's 2024 Interpreting for Deaf Professionals Summit! Anthony's presentation topic of interpreting for deaf subject matter experts is critical, especially for those in the STEM field. Join along to learn more: www.2axend.com/idpsummit. The #IDPSummit24 sessions will range from interactive presentations to armchair discussions and are designed to help interpreters consider what has worked—and what hasn’t—for Deaf, hard of hearing, and DeafBlind professionals in a variety of sectors; and to optimize the delivery of interpreting services to these professionals.

🗣️Disappointing to see that the new Prime Minister's inaugural speech did not have a sign language interpreter present. This is despite "a pledge from 10 Downing Street to ensure that future major press conferences and briefings from the Prime Minister include an in-person British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter from Spring 2024," as set out in the Government's Disability Action Plan (DAP) published earlier this year. https://lnkd.in/ekytkx-y The RNID and British Deaf Association had an interpreter on hand today as the leading political parties had recently been "unable to confirm" whether one would be provided, yet even this interpreter could not be utilised. This once again excludes d/Deaf people and BSL users. To quote Keir Starmer, "Our country has voted decisively for change" and "We need to move forward together," yet how can this be achieved if the leaders are not setting an example? The new Government must implement positive changes to accommodate all if we are to truly build a better society in the UK. #inclusion #disability #deaf #equality #change

I came across this insightful video that highlights the experiences of deaf students in education, and I felt compelled to share it. The video illustrates the ongoing challenges faced by deaf students in education. I believe it’s important to reflect on this, as it serves as an important reminder of the struggles many deaf students face. #deafawareness #accessibility

Inclusivity matters! 📆 On Tuesday, I went to speak with someone who was trying to develop their knowledge and capability in technology and modern digital workplace culture. ⛔️ I knew this person had accessibility needs which I and others didn’t, but figured we would work our way round it, that’s why I was there, to help and provide support so that was that and on my way I went. 🚶♀️➡️ 💭 I have thought deeply about the experience every day since, and primarily about how I, and many of us, need to do so much better to consider the needs of others when designing strategies and plans about how we work. ✅ I pride myself in planning so usually have something up my sleeve for early adopters, skeptics, those in the middle, those who can’t. Those who “can’t” for me was people with low capability and I did think about accessibility but there was a “resource” 📄for that. (How naive 🙄) ⏰ On Tuesday I had the privilege of experiencing only a few hours into someone else’s daily reality. Unfortunately, it took me to be there and spend quality time with someone to really appreciate what inclusion to that person meant. I have been trying to do little bits to make things easier since, but we need to do way more. (💡I have some ideas which I will voice and try to implement where possible) 📹 The video below reminded me of the conversation I had this week, whilst a different setting and a different accessibility requirement, it sparked the same feelings. 🤔 If you can, please consider those around you and those a little further away who may be impacted by what you do. Go and meet with different people and try to gain some of thier perspective to help you in your decision making. Even a small adjustment in how you think could make a massive difference for someone else.

When I talk about accessibility, here are some of the reasons why it matters.

Effective communication goes beyond simply speaking - it's about ensuring that every voice is heard and understood. This clip is a reminder of the challenges faced by those with hearing impairments and the need for inclusive environments where all can thrive. In education and beyond let's strive for communication that empowers rather than excludes. How are we ensuring everyone is truly being heard?

This clip is a great representation of an issue facing many deaf students countrywide. Put yourself in their shoes... you are young, impressionable, and the teen years are not easy to deal with when you don't have any hurdles to get past. Now let's add in a complete lack of understanding of what is going on around you... all because of a lack of accessibility to communication. These kids are being placed in an impossible situation! But why? There are simply not enough interpreters willing to show up on a daily basis to create accessibility to those who need it. This problem is even worse in the smaller cities and horrific in the rural areas. Is there a solution? Many schools are hiring the 'interpreter' and assuming that they can clearly and effectively do their assignment of interpreting... this is not a solution! These people are merely 'seat-fillers' and will only make matters worse! Another route many schools are taking is that of Video Remote Interpreting (VRI). While this is a step in the right direction it is not a solution. Noisy classrooms, technology failure, and isolation continue to cause issues that prevent the d/Deaf child from accessing their environment. So, what do we do? Teach ASL in the schools! People learn best when they are young, their minds absorb language like a sponge! Give them the exposure to a native language that is right here in their own backyard. 'Home-Grown' Interpreters, if you will, that can create an accessible school environment but also, in their future, have a good steady job that fills a need nationwide. 🧏 🧏♂️ 🧏♀️

The impact of falling short of what someone needs for an environment to truly be accessible and inclusive is universally felt by disabled people. Inaccessibility and ableism shouldn't be universal experiences that have to be carried, minimised and treated as normal. My access needs might be different, and the adjustments that I and other disabled people need diverge, but how inaccessibility impacts us is something many either choose not to see or as an acceptable consequence. There are so many big and even small ways that accessibility and inclusion can be done better, to teach children, young people and adults that their needs are important and not to be brushed off by others. Accessibility is not optional but society teaches us that it is.

Totally agree.. accessibility does matter. Having access to adequate resources is a necessity not a privilege.

Earlier this year, I challenged myself to start learning the Sign Language. To be honest, I did this for two reasons: 1. In the past year, I have gotten to work with more learners (teenagers) with hearing difficulties and I have seen first hand how this impacts not just their learning but their social interactions and consequently self-esteem in the mainstream setting. 2. I have an adult neighbor with hearing & speech difficulties who I interact with occasionally and have to guess most of his signs. What If… What if we all learn to sign. What if Sign language is introduced to the curriculum (like French or Spanish) and learning to sign isn’t seen as a taboo or something only reserved for those in the field of Special Ed. What if we all work together to create not just Inclusive classrooms or schools but an Inclusive society. This video is very insightful. What are your thoughts?