Concerns raised over deaf community’s access to council services in Camden

A Camden resident has called for greater inclusion and access to council services for the deaf community.

Addressing a recent housing scrutiny committee meeting, Jeremy Yanke said contacting the Town Hall had become increasingly difficult for deaf residents over the past few years, despite previously being “fantastic”.

“There used to be a social worker who worked particularly with deaf people,” he said.

This council officer knew sign language and would act as a “go-between”, he added.

“For some reason, that service has stopped,” Yanke told councillors. “Now, there isn’t the access we need in order to raise issues.”

One of those accessibility issues was on display at the meeting.

Yanke’s interpreter had dialled into the call remotely, but the camera in the council meeting uses sound to focus.

Therefore, the camera would not focus on Yanke, who was using sign language, and the interpreter could not see him.

“It’s clear what deaf people need,” continued Yanke. “It’s simple things, like using an online video service, where a deaf person can make a video call through an interpreter to raise issues.”

He said he was previously promised that the council would implement such services, but that nothing has yet happened.

“Sign language is a recognised language,” he said.

“We understand that there are lots of different styles of communication.

“At places where we work, businesses, people of different languages are still able to communicate, but unfortunately for the deaf community it’s becoming a problem.”

There was a consensus among councillors present that action needed to be taken to improve accessibility.

Committee chair Cllr Kemi Atolagbe said the council is “into ensuring accessibility for everyone” and requested that officers provide a “briefing” on accessibility services for “all impairment disabilities” at the next disability meeting.

Cllr Meric Apak said an excerise needed to be conducted in “joining the dots”.

He believes the work to improve accessibility is being done, but that the slow pace of change was a result of “uncoordinated efforts”.

Cllr Eddie Hanson asked for a meeting with Camden Disability Action, so the committee could learn more about the changes deaf people want and need.