1st February 2012

BRIDPORT: Council to screen signed information films

FILMS with sign language giving important information about council services will be shown in Bridport tomorrow (Thursday).

Deaf and hard of hearing residents can ensure they are kept up to date on the latest council announcements during a showing of the film at Bridport Deaf Club.

The films will cover a range of topics including libraries, adult social care, highways, how to make a complaint, leisure centres and benefits.

A total of 21 films giving information about vital services have been published on the joint council website, Dorsetforyou.com

The project began after the Dorset Equality Partnership identified that more had to be done to help deaf people access council services. The project is being led by West Dorset District Council (WDDC).

The district council worked with Sonus, a charity that supports deaf people, to create the films.

Sonus helped identify what information should be featured in the films and translated the scripts into British Sign Language (BSL).

Paul Kirby, Sonus community development and co-ordination manager, said: “We are delighted to have been part of this project, which provides access to the council’s website, allowing BSL users to access information on council services in their first or preferred language.”

The project is funded by WDDC and Dorset County Council and supported by all Dorset district and borough councils.

Robert Gould, leader of WDDC, said: “We want to make it easier for all our residents to find out about the services that we and other councils offer.

“We are committed to making services more accessible which is why I am pleased that we were able to lead this fantastic project.”

The films at www.dorsetforyou.com/britishsignlanguage have already attracted dozens of hits, said a WDDC spokesman. A presentation of the films will be given to members of Bridport Deaf Club at 11am on February 2nd at Mountfield, Rax Lane, Bridport.

BRIDPORT: Council to screen signed information films

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