COVID-19 and reduced access to communication: the challenges experienced by deaf people

This project will measure the impact of the lack of deaf-friendly communication strategies during the COVID-19 crisis using accessible, multilanguage online surveys. Deaf people rely on visual communication (sign language and lipreading) and struggle to read at an age appropriate level. Their access to vital information has been reduced due to the 1) lack of sign language interpreting, 2) use of face-masks and 3) use of written texts above their reading level. Furthermore, remote working increases the cognitive fatigue in deaf people because they need to look at small videos of interpreters and increase the amount of reading. We also aim to identify which of the compensatory measures to address information deficits that have originated within the Deaf community have been consulted and relied on. The findings of this research will inform future policies and we shall use them to provide guidelines for disseminating information and setting up remote working.