UK: Govia Thameslink Railway says it received eye-opening feedback from representatives of the Cambridge Deaf Association and the British Deaf Association, whom it took on a return trip from Cambridge to Stevenage to gain greater understanding about what needs to be done to make independent travel easier.
At Stevenage ticket office, the group tried out the use of the Convo app which enables passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing to dial up a trained agent on their smartphone who then uses British Sign Language to interpret what staff are saying.
The trip ‘was a real eye-opener’, said Vincent Duffy of GTR. ‘For example, people who use British Sign Language may not readily understand the message screens that describe trains “calling at” or “terminating at” stations because these aren’t phrases used in BSL. “Stopping at” or “finishing at” would be easier.’
Damian Brewer of the British Deaf Association said ‘inclusive communication is vital, and innovations like BSL smart screens and Convo show what’s possible when opinions from deaf signers are truly listened to.’
Further feedback sessions are planned with deaf passengers at Brighton and London Blackfriars.
