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Deaf Migrants' Experiences and Needs Explored at UCL Event
21 March 2023
In collaboration with Deaf Migrants, a two-day event was held to learn about their lives in London. The event examined services and aimed to identify areas for better outcomes locally and nationally. Everyone focused on cooperation and research to provide comprehensive support.
Introduction
A two-day event at UCL, supported by UCL Grand Challenges of Cultural Understanding and Justice & Equality fund, explored the experiences and needs of Deaf Migrants living in London. The project aimed to examine potential areas for future research, current service provision in London, and identify how to influence policy at both national and local levels to improve outcomes for Deaf Migrants in London.
You can watch sign language translations of the report below.
British Sign Language (BSL) version
International Sign version
Findings
Barriers faced by Deaf Migrants
- Limited access to information, both written and signed
- Access to the Deaf community
- Learning English and BSL effectively
- Limited number of International Sign Interpreters
- Confusion over service providers
Proposed improvements by Deaf Migrants
- Creating a person-centred approach to communication
- Effective signposting for Deaf Migrants
- Regular, faster, and frequent access to BSL and English courses
- Prioritising access to the Deaf community
- Greater support for access to written information
- Having a proper forum/platform to be heard and also contribute to policy and service agenda
Next steps
- Exploring implementation research in reducing mental well-being risk factors, developing potential interventions, and looking at second language learning in this community
- Development of services and programmes responsive to the mentioned needs
- Partnerships between research, voluntary, and statutory sector with a focus on co-production with Deaf Migrants
Conclusion
The project successfully brought together information about Deaf Migrants' needs and experiences. Researchers, organisations, and Deaf Migrants themselves need to work together to address the challenges faced and make a real difference in the lives of Deaf Migrants in London.
Thanks to those involved
- UCL Grand Challenges of Cultural Understanding and Justice & Equality fund
- Deaf Migrants
- Dmytro Prykhodko, Facilitator
- Tyron Woolfe, Research Fellow, Institute Cognitive Neuroscience, UCL
- Indie Beedie, Executive Officer, DCAL
- And many others involved in the organisation, facilitation, and support of the event