Newcastle MPs Catherine McKinnell and Chi Onwurah joined up recently to learn more about the challenges and opportunities facing the city’s Deaf community.

Catherine and Chi were invited to meet with Deaf constituents by local charity Becoming Visible, which works to raise the profile of Deaf people as well as providing an extensive range of British Sign Language (BSL) services.

Held at Becoming Visible’s MEA House office with the support of BSL interpreters, the event saw the MPs being grilled on their work, and the difficulties for Deaf people in participating in politics and the democratic process.

Deaf constituents – many of whom do not read English – were also able to raise their concerns about the significant challenges facing many Deaf people in Newcastle in accessing employment, basic services such as health appointments, and information online when BSL translation is frequently not provided.

The coffee morning was organised after Catherine and Chi attended a Lobby of Parliament with Becoming Visible’s Director Dawn Marshall earlier this year, and is now set to become a regular fixture in the months to come.

Catherine said: ‘This session was profoundly valuable in helping me understand the issues facing many Deaf people across Newcastle.

‘I was also deeply troubled by the significant difficulties encountered when Deaf people try to access services that most of us take for granted – whether a GP appointment, or information online. I will certainly be taking this up in Parliament and look forward to continuing this conversation with Newcastle’s Deaf community.’

Chi said: ‘Meeting the Becoming Visible group really helped me to better understand the challenges facing so many Deaf people and the importance of British Sign Language in helping them engage with the world.

‘What really struck me was how keen they were to engage – to get jobs and to contribute to society – and how little help there was. I will certainly be conveying that message to this Government.’

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