SignHealth’s Sick of It report reported that deaf people face constant barriers to managing their own health, partly due to a lack of accessible information.  The report recommended that health information from the NHS and others be routinely translated into BSL to give deaf people equal access.

In response to the report, SignHealth has produced a range of videos on health related videos in BSL and its website holds the world’s biggest collection of BSL health videos.  They work with organisations like Orchid to ensure that deaf people get accurate, up-to-date information which is verified by experts.

SignHealth’s Acting Chief Executive, Gary Cottrell said: “Our work making health videos in BSL is a vital part of making health information accessible to deaf people.  When the Sick of It report was published the NHS Choices website contained 900 videos of which only 1% were in British Sign Language.

It’s just not acceptable to have to rely on a friend or family member to translate information on personal and important health issues.   These videos are vitally important to empowering deaf people to take control of their own health and wellbeing.”

Orchid’s Chief Executive, Rebecca Porta said: We were delighted to work with SignHealth to deliver this important resource. Over 2,200 men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer in the UK over the next year and ensuring they have access to high quality, evidence based information is vital”. 

Notes to editors:

1. To access the videos go to: http://www.signhealth.org.uk/testicular-cancer/