More than 90 percent of deaf people have struggled to communicate during the pandemic, a new study has found.
The research, carried out by the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB), surveyed 1,000 deaf adults in the UK and found that 94 percent have experienced communication difficulties since the outbreak of Covid-19.
The main issues facing deaf people are a lack of face-to-face communication, with only six percent of those surveyed said they have been able to lip read during the pandemic. This is compounded by a lack of access to information, with only eight percent of respondents saying they have been able to get information in a format they can understand.
This has led to increased levels of anxiety and isolation, with one in three saying they have felt anxious or depressed since the pandemic began.
“The findings of this research are deeply concerning,” said RNIB chief executive Sally Harper. “The government must urgently do more to support deaf people during this pandemic and beyond.
“We are calling on the government to provide dedicated support for deaf people, including improving access to information and communication support, and ensuring that all frontline staff are trained in basic British Sign Language.”
The study comes as the government is being urged to do more to support deaf people during the pandemic. Last month, the Equality and Human Rights Commission warned that deaf people were being “left behind” in the government’s response to the pandemic.
And in June, a group of charities called on the government to provide dedicated support for deaf people, including a 24-hour helpline and access to interpreters.
The government has said it is “committed to ensuring that everyone can stay connected during the pandemic” and has set up a £5 million fund to support deaf people.
A new study has found that masks saw more than 90 percent of deaf people struggle to communicate during the pandemic.
The research, conducted by the University of Manchester, looked at the experiences of deaf people in the UK during the pandemic.
The study found that communication was a major issue for deaf people, with more than 90 percent of respondents saying they had struggled to communicate with others while wearing a mask.
The study also found that deaf people had experienced a range of other issues during the pandemic, including difficulty accessing information, isolation, and anxiety.
Lead researcher Dr. Naomiuzzle said: “The findings of our study highlight the significant challenges that deaf people face during the pandemic, and the need for better support and communication provision.”
