People who are Deaf or hearing-impaired now have better access to health care services thanks to the efforts of the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes said today.
Commissioner Innes congratulated the hospital on its efforts, on the eve of a Deafness Forum event to recognise the work of the hospital.
“Currently one in six Australians is Deaf or hearing-impaired, and by 2050 that figure is likely to increase to one-in-four largely due to our ageing population,? Commissioner Innes said.
?It is critical that community services such as hospitals provide their information and services in a way that people who are Deaf and hearing-impaired can access.?
Princess Alexandra Hospital has introduced facilities such as visual fire-safety alarms, televisions with caption capabilities, telephones with volume controls, sign language interpreter booking services, captioned education videos, telephone typewriters, personal listening devices and staff training on communication.
?The systems the hospital has put in place are relatively simple to provide and they have a significant effect on the quality of service to people who are Deaf or have a hearing impairment,? he said.
“This hospital has recognised the need to ensure that no Australian receives a second-class service because of a disability and I congratulate them on these initiatives.?
Commissioner Innes urged hospitals and other service providers throughout Australia to follow this example.