Asthma UK supports Deaf Awareness week with BSL resources

To coincide with Deaf Awareness Week 2008, Asthma UK has launched British Sign Language (BSL) video clips on its website, as well as a free BSL DVD featuring common questions and answers, in a move to become more accessible to the Deaf community.

The charity believes that over 20,000 BSL users getting treatment for asthma will benefit.

“This initiative is part of Asthma UK’s commitment to working towards equal access to health information for Deaf people,” said Kate Taylor, Community Development and Volunteering Officer at Asthma UK.

“The DVD and website now translates the most common questions we get asked and they are valuable resources to help Deaf people with asthma to better understand the condition and be able to manage their asthma symptoms more confidently,” Taylor added.

The move has also been praised by the British Deaf Association (BDA).

“Deaf people have a right to equal access to health information,” said Francis Murphy, BDA Chair. “The BSL resources Asthma UK has introduced goes some way to addressing the imbalance in access to healthcare and the BDA encourages similar organisations not to overlook BSL in their commitment to diversity and access to products, services and opportunities.”

Asthma UK also offers an adviceline staffed by trained asthma nurses, which can be contacted by Typetalk or email.

To contact Asthma UK for a free copy of the DVD or to get further information, log onto their website or call 08457 01 02 03.