Louder than Words Charter
Show your commitment to improving access to your business for people with deafness, tinnitus and hearing loss by achieving the Louder than Words Charter – a nationally-recognised accreditation awarded to deaf-friendly organisations.
Benefits for your business
Most businesses are not making the most of the £200 billion in potential spending power of disabled people. With the Louder than Words Charter, you’ll attract new customers, increase revenue, reduce staff turnover, demonstrate corporate social responsibility, meet your legal obligations and more.
How to get accredited
Step 1 – Benchmark report
We look at the accessibility of your business to staff and customers with hearing loss and benchmark you against 10 key criteria. You’ll receive a report showing where you already demonstrate good practice, and an action plan for making improvements.
Step 2 – Apply recommendations
We provide continued support to help you apply the recommendations outlined in the action plan, within an agreed timeframe.
Step 3 – Audit and accreditation
At the end of the agreed timeframe, we carry out an audit to see if you meet our 10 key criteria. If you’re successful, we’ll award the Louder than Words Charter and you’ll join a growing number of organisations that are making hearing loss a priority.
More about our accreditation
We use the following quality standards to determine the accessibility of your business for people who are deaf or have hearing loss:
- Train staff to communicate with customersÂ
- Have clear and visible deaf aware policiesÂ
- Provide clear information about your products and servicesÂ
- Use appropriate equipment and maintain it correctlyÂ
- Create a good listening environmentÂ
- Produce and follow clear health and safety proceduresÂ
- Meet requests for communication support whenever requestedÂ
- Offer a range of contact methods and be comfortable using themÂ
- Consult customers and staff with hearing lossÂ
- Be open about your employment practices
It’s valid for one year. We invite you to undertake a self-audit annually, with an onsite audit in alternating years.
The Louder than Words accreditation process is tailored to your specific requirements, so charges vary. Please contact us for more details.
With more than 100 years’ experience, we’re the market leader in providing information and support to people with deafness, tinnitus and hearing loss. Our expert team of consultants are here to help your organisation address its accessibility issues in order to deliver the best possible experience to employees and customers with hearing loss.
Other products you might be interested in
Assistive products
Hearing loops
Workplace assessments
Stay in touch
We’d love to stay in touch about supporting your staff and customers with hearing loss. Sign up now.