Under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act, could you please tell me if your council provides, commissions or funds an information, advice and guidance service specifically for Deaf residents, in British Sign Language (BSL), and that:
(a) If yes, can you supply contact details for who provides this service;
Sign Solutions is commissioned to assist people who are Deaf/Deafblind to enable them to access the public services and support they require. This may include access to secondary or tertiary prevention services. Under the terms of the contract Sign Solutions are required to recognise and work in accordance with the national BDA BSL Charter https://www.bda.org.uk/bsl-charter.
Devon County Council also commissions Living Options to undertake engagement activity and this includes support for Deaf or Deafblind people to participate.
(b) If not, what arrangements are in place to ensure Deaf people are able to access advice on an equal basis to hearing residents.
For individuals with Sensory and learning disability (SLD) – Braille and Moon, audio, easy read, speech to text typists and lip speakers, are provided through internal services for the purposes of social care issues in addition to assessment and care planning function. A new tendered service is planned from July 2022, to incorporate BSL, SLD and other translation, Interpreting and Alternative Format provision into a local framework.