Statement from RAD | скачать в хорошем качестве

Statement from RAD |

RAD delighted by #WTI Judicial Review verdict A landmark moment in deaf history The Royal Association for Deaf people (RAD) is delighted to learn of today’s outcome of the Judicial Review of the #WhereIsTheInterpreter campaign, which has found the UK Government to have breached the Equality Act 2010 when it failed to provide British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters for two data briefings last year. This truly is a landmark moment in deaf history, and we are so incredibly proud to have been part of that journey – a huge congratulations to everyone involved! What was the outcome of the Judicial Review? Mr Justice Fordham – the judge overseeing the case (Katherine Rowley v Minister for the Cabinet Office) – today concluded that the Cabinet Office had discriminated against Katie Rowley by failing to provide BSL interpreters for two data briefings in September and October 2020. The court rejected the UK Government’s claims that deaf people were not at a substantial disadvantage in not having an interpreter because, amongst other things, they had subtitles: “Given the position regarding BSL and Deaf BSL users, without BSL interpretation there was a clear barrier, for a vulnerable and marginalised group, undermining accessibility of information… The lack of provision – the provision of subtitles only – was a failure of inclusion, suggestive of not being thought about, which served to disempower, to frustrate and to marginalise.” In conclusion, the court found that a failure to provide BSL interpreters for the data briefings was a breach of the Cabinet Office’s duty to make reasonable adjustments, and that there was no reason why BSL interpretation could not have been provided. However, whilst the court recognised the benefits that an on-platform BSL interpreter could afford deaf BSL users – not least for inclusivity reasons – it found that there was no continuing breach of the reasonable adjustments duty. What does this mean for deaf people? We believe the result has the potential to transform the lives of deaf people, and will significantly raise public awareness about British Sign Language (BSL) and the deaf community. We hope that this outcome will set a positive precedent for the Government (and others) when considering the communication needs of deaf people in future. As a long-standing supporter of the #WhereIsTheInterpreter campaign, RAD is delighted by today’s decision and the positive impact it will have for deaf people. Not only this: it sends a message to society about the importance of everyone having access to information in their first or preferred language; in a way that is accessible to them; and that a failure to make such provisions is not acceptable. Like many others, we hope that this ruling will pave the way for a far more accessible and inclusive society for deaf people – starting from today. A huge thank you and congratulations again to everyone involved in the #WhereIsTheInterpreter campaign, and legal case. What a momentous day this is for deaf people! RAD's Statement on our website: https://www.royaldeaf.org.uk/wtijudic... Click here to read: http://www.royaldeaf.org.uk/wp-conten... #WhereIsTheInterpreter #WTI #StrongerTogether BSL (British Sign Language) Royal Association for Deaf people: https://royaldeaf.org.uk/