Help for hard of hearing as town becomes deaf-aware

Linlithgow is to be made Scotland’s first deaf- aware town under an ­innovative new project run by the national school for the deaf.

Tourist attractions, shops and businesses across the West Lothian town are being encouraged to become more aware of the needs of the deaf under the new initiative.

Staff who deal with the public will be taught basic sign language as well as ­simple tips on how to make their premises more ­welcoming to deaf people.

Advice includes not ­turning your back on a deaf person while speaking, to allow them to lip-read.

Organisations which complete the training will be given a sticker to display in their shop window or office to show they have staff who have been trained to deal with the deaf.

The scheme has been developed by Donaldson’s, Scotland national school for deaf children, and will be piloted in Linlithgow as the school is based there.

If the pilot is a success, it will be rolled out to other local authority areas with the help of staff from Actual Signs, a charity which raises awareness off the issues ­surrounding deafness.

Janice MacNeill, principal of Donaldson’s, said awareness of deaf issues had improved in recent years and the project could make even further progress.

“There is a general awareness of the needs of deaf people, but because it is a hidden condition, many people don’t take account of it,” she said.

“Many tourist attractions now have audio loop systems which are very helpful, but in some ways they can detract from a wider understanding of the issues because there is a view that putting in these systems is all you need to do.

“We’re hoping to raise awareness and give staff training to make shops, businesses and tourist attractions more welcoming places for deaf people.”