Our Account Manager Ruth Davis attended the Better Business Summit discussion on the topic of accessibility for the deaf community by Reg Cobb, CEO of deafPlus and shares key learnings below.
60% of deaf people feel excluded from services because of a lack of communication support. *
As communicators, it’s our job to do something about this alarming statistic. Around 12 million people in the UK have some form of hearing loss; approximately one in six people, and of these, around 900,000 are severely or profoundly deaf. It’s more important than ever that we ensure our digital spaces are inclusive for all.
What are the key issues?
1. Unclear visual design or poor navigation
For deaf individuals, clear and intuitive visual design is essential for accessing information efficiently. Websites, applications, and digital interfaces that rely on unclear visual design or have poor navigation can be difficult or even impossible to navigate. Unlike hearing users who may rely on auditory cues or instructions, deaf users rely heavily on visual information to interact with technology. Additionally, websites that do not consider color contrast, font size, or clarity can make information hard to read, further isolating deaf users.
2. Lack of captioning or transcripts
One of the most critical accessibility barriers that deaf individuals face is the absence of captions or transcripts. Whether it’s a video, an online course, a live stream, or even instructional content, deaf users depend on captions or transcripts to access information that hearing individuals would receive through audio. The lack of accurate and synchronized captions can result in missing out on essential details, affecting learning, entertainment, and communication. Transcripts are equally important, especially when captions are unavailable or unclear. Without these features, deaf users may struggle to fully comprehend videos, podcasts, webinars, and other content that heavily rely on verbal communication.
3. Audio alerts
Audio alerts are commonly used as notifications on websites, apps, and even in physical spaces. Notifications about messages, updates, or warnings are often conveyed through sounds like beeps, chimes, or alarms. For deaf individuals, these audio cues are ineffective, and, without an alternative, such as visual or tactile notifications, crucial alerts may be missed. It is vital for technology and physical spaces to offer visual or vibrating alternatives to ensure the deaf community is equally informed
4. Inadequate Sign Language Interpretation
In the UK alone, there are around 87,000 users of British Sign Language (BSL), making it the most widely used sign language in the country. However, despite its prevalence, there is still a severe shortage of sign language interpreters, particularly in public services, education, and the media. Without access to trained BSL interpreters, deaf people can be excluded from important interactions and decision-making processes. This barrier creates a significant gap in access to essential services and hinders equality for deaf people.
5. Unregulated emerging technology
Many new AI tools on the market have not been built in consultation with members of the deaf community, meaning they are largely ineffective, and, in some cases, worsening the digital experience for these users. For instance, AI-driven speech recognition tools, while helpful, may not always be accurate, particularly for individuals with regional accents or speech impairments. Moreover, VR and AR experiences are often designed with hearing users in mind, without options for visual or text-based communication that deaf people rely on. The rapid development of new technologies without proper regulation or accessibility standards can create a situation where deaf individuals are excluded from new advancements, perpetuating the digital divide.
To solve these issues, the communications industry must focus on making digital spaces accessible for all. Actions like providing accurate captions or transcripts for all multimedia content, designing interfaces with clear navigation and visual hierarchies, offering visual or tactile alternatives to audio alerts, and ensuring that sign language interpretation is available when needed, can help to ensure that information can be accessed by everyone. There are benefits for businesses too – the spending power of the deaf community is estimated to be £13.7 billion – which is currently not being served by existing digital infrastructure.
For deaf individuals, the lack of accessibility in everyday technology and communication can create significant barriers, limiting their ability to fully engage with education, entertainment, healthcare, and even employment. As an industry, we must do better to create content for all of our audiences.
*Action on Hearing Loss
