Improving access for D/deaf people
What this work was about
We brought D/deaf people and partners together in two workshops, in Carlisle and Whitehaven. The aim was to understand what actually gets in the way when people try to access information and support, based on real experience, not just what processes say should happen.
What people told us
People said the biggest problem wasn’t a lack of services. It was not knowing what support was available, how to ask for it, or what would happen next. When support was requested, people said processes were not always clear or consistent.
“Inspiring… where people felt safe and included. Engaging with the deaf community offered a unique opportunity to understand what life is like in their shoes…”
National Institute for Health and Care Research Champion for North Cumbria
What changed
Partners agreed practical improvements, including clearer routes to access support, better booking of interpreters, and more deaf awareness training. This learning is now shaping how services are described and planned.
Why this matters
Support only works if people can access it when they need it. This work helps make access clearer, more consistent and more reliable.