Local MP backs call for better provision of livesaving community equipment

6.00.00pm GMT Mon 14th Nov 2005

Deaf and hard of hearing people would benefit by specially adapted equipment such as smoke alarms

Mid Dorset and North Poole MP, Annette Brooke, has pledged to back RNID's call for local authorities to ensure better provision of lifesaving community equipment for deaf and hard of hearing people. RNID research reveals that too many deaf and hard hearing people aren't getting the full range of equipment they need to live safely and independently at home.

RNID, the largest charity representing the 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK, has been campaigning for improved community equipment services across the country. Annette Brooke MP, attended a Parliamentary Reception held by RNID at the House of Commons on Thursday 10th November 2005, to hear about RNID's proposed solutions to the problem.

Annette Brooke MP, says: "It is vital that deaf and hard of hearing people have access to the equipment they need to live safely and independently in the community. Currently, too many deaf and hard of hearing people are not being provided with essential equipment such as flashing and vibrating smoke detectors, amplified telephones, vibrating baby alarms and flashing doorbells."

In response to the problems identified, RNID, in partnership with RNIB and the British Red Cross, have set up a revolutionary new online store www.communityequipment.com. The site will help deliver major improvements in getting community equipment to thousands of disabled people.

The "swapshop" style website acts as a hub for equipment managers and health professionals within local authorities, allowing them to buy and sell surplus items of adult and children's equipment and making it easier to get vital, high-quality community equipment to older people and those with disabilities. Not only that, the site has the potential to save local authorities thousands of pounds.

Drawing on their extensive experience in the field of equipment provision, the charities are helping to integrate community equipment services and to spend public money more efficiently on supporting disabled and older people.

John Low, Chief Executive of RNID, says: "Local authorities will be vastly helped by the new www.communityequipment.com service. It will revolutionise the provision of community equipment to people that really need it and I urge local community equipment providers to make use of this free, web-based service. Recycling much-needed equipment will reduce costs, free up resources and cut waiting times.

"RNID aims to transform everyday life for large numbers of people living in Mid Dorset and North Poole by getting a wider choice of higher quality equipment to them more quickly."

Annette Brooke MP, continues: "This is a great example of charities working successfully with the public sector. I congratulate RNID on their role in this exciting initiative and I hope more people in Mid Dorset and North Poole get the equipment they need as a result."

The web-based initiative enables a piece of equipment no longer needed by a person in one local authority to be passed on to someone else that needs it in another area.

The website is only intended for use by professionals. People in Mid Dorset and North Poole who have had problems getting community equipment are encouraged to contact their local Social Services department and suggest they visit the website.

<ENDS>

For more information please contact Anna Hollis, Senior Media Relations Officer, RNID on Tel/textphone 020 7296 8229 or email anna.hollis@rnid.org.uk

Notes to editors:

Photo caption: Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, promotes RNID's smoke alarm

Facts and figures on Equipment Services

1. RNID found that 40 per cent of deaf and hard of hearing people surveyed had no idea they were able to obtain community equipment through their local authorities.

2. 95 percent of people RNID surveyed said they needed help in making their homes safe, living independently and making their home lives easier.

3. RNID also surveyed people with sensory or physical disabilities that had not used community equipment. Four in ten said that it would be important to ease home life while one in five said home safety concerns them. One in six people wanted to live more independently.

4. Overall, there are an estimated 50,000 to 70,000 people with a profound hearing loss whose preferred language is British Sign Language (BSL). RNID's closeness to the user ensures that communication issues do not get in the way of delivering appropriate equipment.

RNID is the largest charity representing the 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK. As a membership charity, we aim to achieve a radically better quality of life for deaf and hard of hearing people. We do this in the following ways:

• Campaigning and lobbying to change laws and government policies.

• Challenging negative perceptions around deafness and hearing loss.

• Providing information and raising awareness of deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus.

• Training courses and consultancy on deafness and disability.

• Communication services including sign language interpreters.

• Training of interpreters, lipspeakers and speech-to-text operators.

• Seeking lasting change in education for deaf children and young people.

• Employment programmes to help deaf people into work.

• Care services for deaf and hard of hearing people with additional needs.

• Typetalk, the national telephone relay service for deaf and hard of hearing people.

• Equipment and products for deaf and hard of hearing people.

• Social, medical and technical research.

• Being a member of RNID is essential if you are at all affected by deafness, hearing loss, or tinnitus. To find out more, visit www.rnid.org.uk/membership or call on telephone/textphone 0845 634 0679.

• For more information about RNID, visit: www.rnid.org.uk or contact RNID's Information Line on 0808 808 0123 (freephone) or 0808 808 9000 (textphone) or email: information@rnid.org.uk