Deaf Awareness Week 2026

4 – 10 May 2026

This year’s theme is

“Right to understand – Together, we break barriers”

The aim of this year’s Deaf Awareness Week is to understand the barriers faced by deaf and hard-of-hearing people and to take practical steps and accessibility for those with hearing loss. 

The deaf community often faces significant barriers to communication, which can lead to social isolation, limited employment opportunities, and reduced access to essential services. These barriers can include a lack of access to sign language interpreters, limited captioning and subtitling in videos and online content, and a general lack of awareness of the communication needs of deaf individuals. (Deaf Awareness Week - Signature)

NHS Grampian will focus on raising awareness of the communication needs of the deaf community and access to communication tools. We aim to improve accessibility, reduce communication barriers, deliver a better patient and staff experience and build a more inclusive society.

Roda Bird, Interim Equality and Diversity Manager, will deliver the following sessions during Deaf Awareness Week. These session aims to improve staff’s confidence in communicating with Deaf patients.

Tuesday, 5th May

7pm to 9pm

 

Mcgillvray Conference Room, Aberdeen Maternity Hospital

British Sign Language Taster Session

 

An opportunity to learn BSL with the current NHSG BSL class for one session. Learn basic BSL such as fingerspelling, introducing yourself, greeting and simple signs

 

Book a place (limited spaces due to room capacity)

British Sign Language (BSL) Taster Session – Fill in form

 

Wednesday, 6th May

1pm to 2pm

How to access a BSL Interpreter

 

Click here to join MS Teams

Or email gram.equalitydiversity@nhs.scot and we will forward you the link

 

Thursday, 7th May

10am to 11.30am

Deaf Awareness

 

Click here to join MS Teams

Or email gram.equalitydiversity@nhs.scot and we will forward you the link

 

The above sessions can be delivered on request for your team. Please email gram.equalitydiversity@nhs.scot

Communication Tips

NHS Grampian staff can visit the NHSG Intranet Sensory Signs and Communication Tips

Deaf Awareness Tips (Signature)

It Matters your guide on how best to communicate with deaf people (Hearing Dogs)

Access to BSL Interpreters

For Deaf/BSL users

For NHSG staff

  • Staff can book any BSL interpreters that has Service Level Agreement with NHS Grampian BSL Interpreters for face-to-face or Near Me appointments
  • Staff can access online BSL interpreter via Convo Now Convo UK | Convo Now

How Convo Now works? Staff use an iPad or laptop/desktop and get instant access to BSL interpreters

Where is Convo Now available? It is available in these locations and more to come:

ARI General Office

Danestone Medical Practice

ARI Emergency Department

Hamilton Medical Group

Realtime Feedback Loops

Kingswells Medical Practice

ARI MRI West

Kincorth Medical Centre

Woodend MRI

Torry Medical Practice

Dr Grays Emergency Department

Cults Medical Group

Dr Grays Out Patient

Newburn

Dr Grays Day Case Unit & POA

Kings and Old Machar GP

RACH ED & PAU

Aboyne Medical Practice

Spynie Dental Practice

Ellon Medical Practice

Westend Dental

Banchory Group Practice

Muirton Dental Practice

Inverurie Medical Group

Calsayseat Medical Group

Aberlour Medical Practice

Garthdee Medical Group

Fochabers Medical Practice

Holburn Medical Group

Moray Coast Medical Practice

Woodside Medical Group

Aberdeen City Vaccination

Staff Feedback on using Convo Now (online BSL interpreter)

I have a patient whose mother is a Deaf/BSL user. I contacted Equality and Diversity for support in accessing Convo Now. Using my laptop, I went to the Convo Now login page and was quickly connected to a BSL interpreter. The appointment went really well and the patient was delighted and the whole experience was very positive. Convo Now is very user friendly and makes a difference for the patient. 

I am Deaf card

NHS Grampian produced a credit card-sized car that displays the message “I AM DEAF”. This card is for Deaf/BSL users which they can show to staff when they attend a healthcare appointment or any setting to enable them to communicate with others.

The card can be requested from gram.equalitydiversity@nhs.scot

I am deaf card

Sensory Signage for in-patients

Three sensory impairment signs are available for patients who are visually impaired, hard-of-hearing and Deaf/BSL user. These laminated signs can be placed on patient bed boards with the intention that staff will be aware of the communication needs of the patient.

How to use: Staff should ask consent from the patient and/or carers on admission. With consent, the sign is placed on the patient information board. This will indicate to our staff the sensory impairment/loss of the patient and additional support can be provided to the patient during their stay in the hospital. 

The laminated signs can be requested from gram.equalitydiversity@nhs.scot

signage

Scottish Mental Health Service for Deaf People

This national service provides specialist support in Scotland for deaf people with mental health problems across Scotland. This national service is hosted by NHS Lothian. https://services.nhslothian.scot/mhdeafservice/

Referrals can be made in writing and referral forms can be obtained by calling the team administrator on 01506 523 671 or email mhdeafservice@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk or by downloading the by downloading the Scottish Mental Health Service for Deaf People Referral Form

Telephone calls to discuss possible referrals are always welcome.

Other Resources

 

Published: 29/04/2026 15:43