SCoD represents 90 organisations working with and on behalf of Deaf Sign Language users, deafened, Deafblind and hard of hearing people. The membership provides a partnership between the Voluntary Sector, Social Work and Education Departments, NHS Trusts, Health Boards and the Government.
- visit the SCoD website at www.scod.org.uk
Access to Democracy project
This project provided a range of support to deaf and deafblind people, including the creation of a training pack DVD in BSL English and Welsh. Deaf and Deafblind participants received training on using the pack and delivered workshops on political participation, awareness and voter registration. These workshops were held in a variety of locations across Scotland including deaf clubs, hearing impairment resource centres, deaf schools, FE Colleges and Youth Clubs. Information has also been uploaded onto their website allowing people to access the information remotely.
In the lead up to an election each of the partner organisations (SCoD, Deaf Connections, Deaf Action, Scottish Deaf Association and Deafblind Scotland) provided drop-in sessions giving advice and information for service users. The grant funded salaries, production of a training pack and accompanying information pack, and training. .
Project outcomes
Outcomes achieved
The A2D project successfully delivered its programme using trainers and peer-led education drives, as well as organizing awareness raising events and tours of Scottish Parliament to engage its audience. The project thereby increased awareness of democracy for 1,241 people. The project also produced a DVD on electoral process and various facets of political decision making that was disseminated to a further 2,600 people.
More than 1,200 deaf and deafblind people in Scotland had increased confidence and understanding of how local, national (UK), Scottish and European democratic processes worked after attending project events and workshops. Fifty seven deaf and deafblind people became trainers and delivered over fifty A2D workshops.
Case study
Margaret is a Deaf Sign Language user from Glasgow. Before her retirement in late 2007, Margaret worked for Deaf Connections and was involved in many projects to help Deaf Sign Language users access information about health, community care, democracy, leisure services, etc. Because of this past working experience, she applied to be one of the project's A2D trainers.
Before taking part in this project Margaret did not fully understood how votes were counted in different voting systems and other aspects of electoral systems. Through her participation as an A2D trainer and her work translating resources for the project, she finally understood how the different voting systems worked.
Margaret is now very keen to empower Deaf people with better understanding and knowledge of the democratic processes. Since attending the ‘Training of Trainers’ workshop in December 2008 she has said: ‘I did not vote in 2007 as I was not sure who to vote for and did not fully understand my options. But now I will be proactive in seeking information about all the parties and encourage others to do the same.’
