Blog

Welcome to our blog, a round-up of the latest news, advice and information to help make your business more accessible to people who are deaf or have hearing loss.

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News from RNID

Read news and stories on the RNID website.

Workplace assessments

Workplace assessments: top 10 questions

A workplace assessment provides advice and recommendations on how to manage deafness and hearing loss at work. Here’s a roundup of our top 10 most frequently asked questions: 1. Are workplace assessments available during the COVID-19 pandemic? Yes, as we’ve developed a remote version of our popular face-to-face service which can help people working in an office or working from home. Where there’s no other alternative, we’ll consider a face-to-face assessment within specific guidelines. 2. Who carries out the assessment? Our workplace assessors...
Hearing loops

Is there a hearing loop installer near me?

When an organisation contacts us about a hearing support system, they often start by asking “Is there a hearing loop installer near me?”. RNID (formerly Action on Hearing Loss) has a nationwide network of engineers, so wherever you’re based we can help. As the UK’s leading charity for people with hearing loss, we have the knowledge, experience and equipment to improve your customer experience and open up your business. How to get it right first time When considering a hearing support...
Communication support

Five things to tell us when booking a BSL interpreter

When contacting us to book a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter, please give as much detail as you can. The following information will ensure you receive the most appropriate communication support for every situation: 1. Why you’re booking a BSL interpreter As the UK’s largest provider of communication support for people who are deaf or have hearing loss, we supply BSL interpreters for a wide range of situations. Whether you’re seeking support for a job interview, work meeting, training course, medical appointment...
Deaf awareness training

Deaf awareness training: top 10 questions

Many organisations are recognising the importance of better deaf awareness as COVID-19 is creating additional barriers for people who are deaf or have hearing loss. Here’s a roundup of frequently asked questions about our deaf awareness training. 1. Why is COVID-19 creating additional barriers for people with hearing loss? Many of the 12 million people who are deaf or have hearing loss in the UK rely on lipreading and facial expressions to communicate. Face coverings, protective screens and social distancing are making...
COVID-19 related

Hearing loss help to make your business accessible and COVID-19 secure

It’s vital to consider the needs of disabled people when putting social distancing measures in place so that everybody can access your business. As the largest UK charity supporting people with hearing loss, we’re uniquely placed to provide expert hearing loss help and advice. Identify the barriers The government has produced detailed guidance to make workplaces COVID19 secure. However, it’s important to recognise that some recommendations will create additional barriers for staff and customers with hearing loss. These include: people working...
Hearing loops

Hearing loop systems in health and social care settings

RNID (formerly Action on Hearing Loss) is experienced at providing loop systems in health and social care settings across the UK. A hearing support system will ensure that hearing aid users who come into contact with your services understand the information you give them and can take part in discussions about their health and social care. Deciding on the right hearing support system Installing or upgrading loop systems in health and social care settings needs careful planning. Here are some things...
Workplace assessments

Remote workplace assessments now available

Working from home looks set to be part of many people’s lives for some time to come. For employees who are deaf or have hearing loss, remote working can be stressful and exhausting without the right support in place. That’s why we’ve introduced remote workplace assessments. What is a remote workplace assessment? A specialist assessor will contact your employee by phone or video call to discuss their job role and working environment in order to identify any challenges they’re facing. The...
Communication support

What are the costs and hourly rates of speech-to-text reporters?

We’re often asked for the costs and hourly rates of speech-to-text reporters. The minimum booking varies from two to three hours depending on your requirements and location. In order to provide you with a quote, we’ll first check that a speech-to-text reporter is the most suitable communication professional for your requirements. We’ll then need full details of the assignment. Who is a speech-to-text reporter suitable for? A speech-to-text reporter (also known as a STTR) converts speech into text in real time...
Communication support

How much does a BSL interpreter cost?

If you need to book communication support for someone who uses British Sign Language (BSL), we can advise the cost of a BSL interpreter. Whether you’re enquiring about a one-off booking or regular assignment, we’ll work closely with you to establish your exact requirements. What we need to know As every assignment is different, the cost of a sign language interpreter UK registered will vary. In order to give you an accurate quotation, we’ll ask the following questions when you contact...
Hearing loops

How to install hearing loops

First impressions count, which is why so many organisations contact us to find out how to install hearing loops. They want to provide a better service to hearing aid users and comply with equality legislation. Consult the experts When considering how to install hearing loops, it’s essential to consult the experts. As the UK’s leading charity for people with hearing loss, we offer practical, impartial advice. You can be confident that our engineers will install high-quality loop equipment and provide a...
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