Deaf Unity helps first responders break down communication barriers

Picture this: it’s late at night on a busy road. A serious crash has brought all three emergency services racing to the scene. Blue lights flash, sirens wail, radios crackle. Officers shout instructions over the chaos. In the middle of this noise and confusion, you learn one of the passengers is deaf.

They watch you – tense, wide-eyed – but don’t respond to your words. How do you reassure them? How do you get the information you need? In that critical moment, would you know what to do?

For millions in the UK, this is reality. The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) reports that one in three adults is deaf, has hearing loss, or experiences tinnitus – around 18 million people. More than half of those aged over 55 have some degree of hearing loss. According to the 2021 Census, about 22,000 people in England and Wales use British Sign Language (BSL) as their primary language – a language with its own grammar, entirely separate from English.

Now imagine being in an emergency and not being able to call for help. Research shows it happens far too often. Joint RNID and SignHealth findings show almost one in ten deaf or hard of hearing people have avoided calling an ambulance or visiting A&E because of communication barriers, and one in four have delayed seeking help for new health concerns.

It’s not just healthcare. In 2019, the British Deaf Association found many police officers were confident in booking interpreters for foreign languages but unsure how to arrange a BSL interpreter. Sheffield Hallam University’s 2020 study revealed that access to qualified BSL interpreters in police stations remains inconsistent, despite legal protections.

Fire services have learned hard lessons too. In Cheshire, a deaf couple called 999 to report a fire but hung up before giving details. The call was dismissed as a hoax until the father reconnected directly with the fire station. That incident prompted Cheshire Fire and Rescue to hold deaf awareness events and introduce text-based access – simple changes that can save lives.

When communication breaks down in an emergency, the risk is not just inconvenience – it can be the difference between safety and tragedy. While the Equality Act 2010 requires “reasonable adjustments” for disabled people, this is about more than compliance. It’s about ensuring help is accessible to everyone, instantly.

Some solutions are simple. Deaf Awareness Training equips staff to handle these situations, highlighting common barriers, teaching practical communication techniques, and showing how to access professional support like BSL interpreters.

Learning even basic BSL can make a real difference. Written notes may help, but not everyone reads English fluently, and in a crisis they can be slow and stressful. A few key signs – “safe,” “help,” “wait,” “OK” – can calm fears, build trust, and convey vital information fast. Deaf Unity offers a range of Deaf Awareness and British Sign Language training for emergency services, in various formats to suit different needs. We’ll be demonstrating the power of BSL at The Emergency Services Show, with a free taster session in the Exhibitor Zone on Wednesday 17th September 2025 at 3pm. You can also come along to our stand CZ38 and try your hand at BSL and learn more about the work Deaf Unity does.

Breaking down these barriers is not just the right thing to do – it’s essential for an emergency service that works for everyone. Because in those moments when every second matters, the ability to connect and communicate can change everything.

If a deaf person needed your help tonight, would you be ready?

Deaf Unity is a London-based, deaf-led charity working to remove barriers that stop deaf people from living on equal terms with their hearing peers. Their mission is to ensure deaf individuals have the tools, resources, and support to take control of their lives and thrive.

Join us on 17-18 September at the NEC, Birmingham for The Emergency Services Show, co-located with The Emergency Tech Show, register for your free pass here.