New RNID research reveals widespread ignorance towards deaf people

For Deaf Awareness Week last month, the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) released startling new research highlighting the social challenges faced by the deaf community in the UK.

The study reveals that more than a quarter of deaf individuals feel ignored in public settings, a figure that climbs dramatically to 59% among those who use British Sign Language (BSL). This comprehensive survey, the largest ever conducted by RNID, sheds light on the negative attitudes and behaviours that continue to affect deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals daily.

Negative attitudes and behaviours

The RNID survey, which included over 8,000 participants, found that a significant 67% had encountered negative attitudes or behaviours over the past year. These experiences are not limited to interactions with strangers but extend deeply into personal relationships. Half of the respondents reported facing negative behaviour from their own families, with 54% mentioning that people often dismiss their struggles to understand by saying, “it doesn’t matter.”

The impact on BSL users

For users of British Sign Language, the impact of negative social interactions is particularly severe. A striking 56% of BSL users reported feeling disrespected by those around them. The sense of exclusion and disrespect can profoundly affect their mental and emotional well-being, leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Personal experiences of Deaf individuals

One participant in the RNID survey shared her frustration: “One of the worst things is when people say something I miss and when asked to repeat they say ‘oh it doesn’t matter’. It probably didn’t matter to them at the time, but it makes me feel I don’t matter.”

The data further reveals that 47% of respondents have been shouted at, 47% feel excluded, 33% experience loneliness or isolation, and 39% report a negative impact on their confidence.

Case Study: Sarah Adedeji’s story

Sarah Adedeji, a 23-year-old from Erith, South East London, shared her personal struggles with deafness. “There’s a lot of stigma and misconceptions around deafness. People told my mum I wouldn’t amount to anything and that I wouldn’t be able to accomplish some things because of my hearing loss.” Sarah’s family gatherings were particularly challenging due to her family’s lack of sign language skills, forcing her to rely on speech and lipreading. This often led to listening fatigue and feelings of isolation.

Despite these obstacles, Sarah’s mother inspired her to pursue a career in audiology. Now, as a black deaf audiologist, Sarah is breaking down barriers and changing perceptions within her field. “Being a black deaf person in audiology, I’m already changing perceptions and that’s what I want to do. I’m already making little waves that hopefully become bigger waves.”

The call for change

Crystal Rolfe, Director of Strategy at RNID, emphasised the urgent need for societal change: “1 in 5 adults in the UK are deaf or have hearing loss, yet our research shows that every day people face negative attitudes and behaviours at work, when they’re out shopping, and even from their families.”

Rolfe highlighted the profound impact of these negative interactions, which can lead to exclusion, loneliness and a loss of confidence. She urged the public to stand with RNID in advocating for better treatment of deaf individuals and those with hearing loss. “We want people across the UK to stand with us and say that the way deaf people and people with hearing loss are treated really does matter.”

Simple tips for better communication

To foster better communication, RNID provides three simple tips:

• Get my attention – Gently tap my shoulder or make eye contact to indicate you want to chat.
• Face me – Please face me when you talk. Many people rely on lipreading to some degree to understand.
• Be patient – Don’t be afraid to repeat or rephrase your words and try different methods if necessary.

RNID’s research highlights the significant social challenges faced by deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in the UK. By promoting awareness and providing practical communication tips, RNID aims to foster a more inclusive society where everyone feels valued and respected. For more information and resources, including free videos to learn basic BSL phrases, visit the RNID website.