Association of Leading Visitor Attractions

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29 Dec 2013

Scotland’s attractions ‘failing the deaf’

Major tourist attractions in Scotland are failing to cater to the deaf, according to a charity.

Action on Hearing Loss Scotland (AHLS) – formerly the RNID – carried out spot checks on 21 Scottish venues and discovered that only three had working hearing loops at their main ticket or information point.

Working loops amplify speech over background noise for people who wear a hearing aid and the charity said it was “absolutely essential” for the equipment to be maintained.

The three attractions which had working hearing loops were Stirling Castle, McManus Museum in Dundee and St Mungo’s Museum in Glasgow.

The three highest-ranked deaf-friendly attractions were Sterling Castle, the National Museum of Scotland and Holyrood Palace.

As Scotland prepares for major high profile events in 2014, it is crucial that tourist attractions are fully accessible for the one in six in Scotland who have hearing loss as well as those coming from overseas,” said AHLS director Delia Henry. “People who are deaf or hard of hearing have the legal right to enjoy the same level of service as other customers so it is absolutely essential that tourist attractions ensure that equipment such as loops at main information points are installed, maintained and switched on and that staff are trained in deaf awareness.”