Major new research from charity RNID has revealed the negative attitudes and behaviours that deaf people and people with hearing loss experience on a regular basis.
The research of 8,151 people found that more than a quarter (27%) of deaf people and people with hearing loss are ignored by most people in public settings.
More than two thirds (67%) said that they had experienced negative attitudes or behaviours in the last year, and almost half (48%) said they also experience this from their own family members.
54% said people told them ‘It doesn’t matter’ when they struggled to understand, which can make people feel like they don’t matter. 47% had experienced people shouting at them.
The impact of this can be huge: people can feel excluded, lonely, and disrespected. Often these experiences cause people to withdraw, to avoid others, and even hide that they are deaf or have hearing loss.
RNID wants people across the UK to stand with them and say that the way deaf people and people with hearing loss are treated really does matter. They know the public want to help, so they’re urging people to follow three simple tips to be more inclusive, and learn some simple BSL phrases for everyday conversation. To get involved, visit rnid.org.uk
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
