Equipment for Accessibility: Enhancing Communication for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People
At Deaf Umbrella, we believe that accessibility is about people and technology working together. We provide expert British Sign Language support to ensure that Deaf British Sign Language (BSL) users can participate fully in educational and workplace environments.
Through our collaboration with Connevans, we are able to bring cutting-edge assistive technology to enhance communication and accessibility for Deaf employees, students, and individuals alike.
This page serves as a resource to help employers, educational institutions, and Deaf or hard of hearing individuals understand the wide variety of equipment available to improve communication, support inclusion, and make environments more accessible. From advanced audio technology to simple communication aids, there are solutions out there that make all the difference.
The Power of Technology in Accessibility
Connevans has been a trusted name in assistive technology for over 50 years, providing solutions that help Deaf and hard of hearing individuals navigate their world with ease. Whether you're an employer looking to improve your workplace accessibility, a college offering support for Deaf students, or a Deaf person seeking tools to enhance your day-to-day life, Connevans offers a wide range of products that can make communication smoother, more effective, and inclusive.
Personal FM Systems
Transmits clear audio to hearing aids or cochlear implants, amplifying speech without background noise.
How It Helps: Ideal for classrooms, meetings, and group activities, ensuring full engagement.
Who It Benefits: Deaf and hard of hearing employees and students, especially in noisy environments.
Visual Alert Systems
Uses flashing lights or vibrations to notify of sounds, like doorbells or fire alarms.
How It Helps: Increases safety by alerting Deaf and hard of hearing individuals to important sounds.
Who It Benefits: Essential for Deaf employees, students, and anyone needing auditory notifications.
Assistive Telephone Equipment
Amplifiers and hearing aid-compatible headsets for clearer phone communication.
How It Helps: Enhances workplace communication for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
Who It Benefits: Suitable for both workplace and home settings.
Loop Systems
Broadcasts sound directly to hearing aids with T-coils for clear hearing without interference.
How It Helps: Enhances speech intelligibility in lecture halls, classrooms, and meetings.
Who It Benefits: Useful in group settings like public events, school assemblies, and workplaces.
School Soundfield Systems
Amplifies sound across a classroom for even hearing distribution.
How It Helps: Ensures all students hear clearly, reducing teacher voice strain.
Who It Benefits: Ideal for all students, particularly those with learning difficulties or hearing variations.
Speech-to-Text and Captioning Systems
Captures speech and transcribes it into real-time text.
How It Helps: Makes conversations and presentations accessible, ensuring full participation.
Who It Benefits: Perfect for schools, workplaces, and public events requiring real-time communication.
Access to Work: Funding Support for Employers
Access to Work (AtW) is a UK government scheme that helps employers cover the costs of making reasonable adjustments for Deaf and hard of hearing employees. Through this scheme, employers can receive financial support to pay for equipment, training, and other services that make the workplace more accessible.
How Access to Work Can Help:
Grants for Equipment
The scheme can help cover the costs of assistive technology such as personal FM systems, loop systems, and visual alert devices.
Training and Support
Employers can also receive funding for training on how to use the equipment effectively.
Ongoing Support
Access to Work also provides funding for communication support professionals, enabling ongoing support for Deaf employees.
For more details, and to see how AtW can help your organisation, download our eBook FAQ about Access to Work here.
The eBook answers common questions and provides detailed steps on how to apply for funding.
Accessibility for Employers and Educational Institutions
Employers and educational institutions have a duty to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that Deaf and hard of hearing employees or students can access equal opportunities. By integrating assistive technology into your workplace or classroom, you can improve productivity, engagement, and inclusivity for all.
If you're unsure of what solutions would work best for your needs, Deaf Umbrella and Connevans are here to help. Our expert team can work with you to assess your needs and recommend the best equipment to support your Deaf or hard of hearing staff or students.
Get in Touch for More Information
If you’re interested in learning more about how assistive technology can improve accessibility and communication in your workplace or educational setting, contact us today. We’re here to help you find the right solutions and support for your specific needs.