Page 6 - SEN107 SEN Magazine July-August 2020

Face covering rules are failing disabled people Comments by disability equality charity Scope and the National Deaf Children’s Society make it clear that with the new regulations about face coverings on public transport, disabled people could be unfairly accused by staff, British Transport Police or other passengers. Comments included; • ‘Nothing is more important than public health, but the use of face coverings on public transport will make life harder for the nine million deaf people across England.’ • ‘It’s vital that disabled people are aware that exemptions apply if you would struggle to wear a mask. For example, if you have breathing problems or you’re traveling with someone who needs to lip read, or wearing a face mask may cause you to become distressed’ • ‘Disabled people have often felt forgotten during the pandemic, and are now contending with the added fear that they may be fined or risk abuse when legitimately using public transport’ • ‘There must be clear communication by travel operators to their staff and customers that some disabled people are exempt from the new rules. We are also highly concerned that taxis and private hire vehicles are allowed to take their own approach to face coverings.’ • ‘If people wore transparent face masks it would make a huge difference, but simple deaf awareness tips like being patient, writing things down or using gestures if a deaf person needs you to, will also have a big impact.’ On June 3, 21 awards were announced from a new fund launched by the Winston Churchill Memorial trust to urgent projects by Churchill Fellows to combat the effects of Covid-19 in healthcare and other areas that have been affected, ranging from preventing domestic abuse to expanding food production and providing trauma therapy for key workers. Some of the projects awarded were; • Charity director Geneva Ellis from London will provide educational support for looked after children and care leavers across 12 children’s homes and homes for care leavers. • Speech and language therapist E.A. Draffan from West Sussex will develop an app that enables health and social care workers to communicate with patients who have difficulty communicating. • Digital inclusion consultant Sara Dunn from Dorchester will develop a Covid-19 Survival Pack for unpaid carers via a smartphone app. • Braille charity director Edward Rogers from Bristol, will provide isolated blind adults and children with emergency provision of Braille learning, equipment and training in employable skills, in preparation for a post-pandemic recession. • Disability consultant William Case from Manchester will support disabled people and social carers with online advice and virtual training in disability issues during the pandemic. Covid-19 Action Fund awards over £150,000 to projects fighting the effects of the pandemic SEN 107 senmagazine.co.uk 6 SEN news