Education: Funding

Information Booklets relating to access in Further and Higher Education can be found on the SKILL website.

Unfortunately, statutory funding streams are still not enough and do not cover the non-tangible nature of support that is required for Deaf and hard of hearing students. More information on issues will be available through the Blawg.

Communication Support

BSL/English Interpreters

British Sign Language (BSL) is a recognised language in its own right. BSL/English interpreters interpret between two languages for the benefit of both parties to the interaction.

DDA Guidance on BSL/English Interpreters
For employers, trade organisations and service providers.

Booking a BSL/English Interpreter

Online directories can be found at:

• RAD: Communication Support Directory
• CACDP: Online Directory
• Association of Sign Language Interpreters
  Professional body for BSL/English Interpreters.
• Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People
  The Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People (CACDP) is a registered charity that is raising standards of communication between Deaf and hearing people. We do this as a UK awarding body recognised by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) offering a wide range of nationally accredited qualifications.

Lipspeakers

Lipspeakers are used by Deaf people who use lipreading as their main means of communication. Lipspeakers are required to repeat speech accurately without the use of their voice, by using clear lip patterns. They also use facial expressions, natural gestures and fingerspelling, if required.

Please note for the following, a Level 3 Lipspeaker is required:

• in the workplace - in meetings, interviews, or on training courses
• in further or higher education
• in legal settings; in meetings with solicitors and barristers, at tribunals, in police stations and Courts of Law.

Online directories can be found at:

• Association of Lipspeakers
  Professional body of Lipspeakers, plus an online directory of qualified persons. A guide on how to use a lipspeaker can be found here.

Notetakers

A Notetaker is a person who makes notes for Deaf people. This can be in the form of written translation for a Deaf person to read as something is being spoken or key point summaries for those who are lipreading or using an interpreter or lipspeaker.

For legal settings and education, a qualified notetaker is required.

Online directories can be found at:

• RAD: Communication Support Directory
• CACDP: Online Directory

Electronic Notetaking

• Verbatium Reporting
  An article on how this works can be found here.
• SpeedText
  Electronic notetaking that is controlled by the RNID.
• Stereotype
  Electronic notetaking software developed by Sheffield Hallam University.