A European Non-Governmental Organisation in official liaison with European Parliament, European Commission and the Council of Europe

Position Paper Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the rights of deaf persons in Europe

INTRODUCTION...... 2

RECOMMENDATIONS...... 4

ANNEX I. RIGHT TO ACCESS INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION IN NATIONAL SIGN LANGUAGES...... 5

ANNEX II. RIGHT TO HEALTH...... 8

ANNEX III. RIGHT TO WORK AND EMPLOYMENT...... 11

ANNEX IV. RIGHT TO EDUCATION...... 13

ANNEX V: PROMISING PRACTICES BY NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS OF THE DEAF.....14

INTRODUCTION

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges globally. After the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic to Europe in February 2020, the rapid spread of the virus triggered containment measures by the government authorities in all the EU Member States that have had as a consequence the limitation of rights and freedoms of all persons in Europe.

Indeed, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone, especially those infected with the virus. Throughout 2020, a variety of measures have been taken at different levels of governance to prepare, respond and manage the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, they have not been adequate and/or sufficient enough to ensure the safety of persons with disabilities, as required by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) under Article 11 on situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies.

Deaf users, as linguistic minorities, have encountered new communicational and environmental barriers as a result of the measures adopted in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In light of this, the European Union of the Deaf (EUD), as the only supranational organisation representing the rights of deaf people at the European level, has produced this position paper to provide recommendations to policy makers across Europe. These recommendations tackle key aspects so that preparation, response and management of a crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, fully respects, protects and fulfils the rights of deaf persons. The recommendations focus on the right to access information and communication in national sign languages (Articles 9 and 21 UN CRPD), the right to health (Article 25), the right to education (Article 24 UN CRPD), and the right to work and employment (Article 27 UN CRPD).

Annexes I to IV provide a summary of how and whether the abovementioned rights were ensured in Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Annex V provides a list of promising practices that were carried out during the pandemic by National Associations of the Deaf (NADs). The information of these annexes is included in the Report on EUD consultative virtual regional meetings with the National Associations of the Deaf in Europe in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. This report is the result of four regional consultative meetings in Europe at the end of May on the possible human rights violations and disproportionate impact of the pandemic on deaf persons in Europe. During the meetings, EUD collected information from its member organisations (NADs), in 31 countries in Europe.

Finally, EUD would like to emphasise that all human rights discussed in this document are strongly interconnected and mutually reinforcing, which means that full realisation of one right needs the realisation of all other rights. For deaf persons across Europe, barriers to the right to access communication and information have meant barriers in the exercise of other rights. For instance, a breach of the right to access information and communication in national sign languages (Articles 9 & 21) ______2 President : Markku Jokinen – Executive Director : Mark Wheatley European Union of the Deaf – Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 26/15 – 1040 Brussels – Belgium www .eud.eu translates in the breach of other rights such as the right to education (Article 24) or health (Article 25). EUD also highlights that while this document focuses on the UN CRPD, all other European and international human rights instruments also apply to deaf persons in Europe.

______3 President : Markku Jokinen – Executive Director : Mark Wheatley European Union of the Deaf – Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 26/15 – 1040 Brussels – Belgium www .eud.eu

RECOMMENDATIONS

• European countries must place National Associations of the Deaf (NADs) and other representative organisations of persons with disabilities at the core of the decision-making in relation to preparedness and crisis management in situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. As laid down in Articles 4(3) and 33(3) of the UN CRPD, States Parties have the obligation to ensure the effective and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities through their representative organisations, when preparing for or responding to situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies, as established in Article 11 of the UN CRPD. For NADs, meaningful consultation must be guaranteed in national sign languages. Organisations of persons with disabilities, including NADs, are the best suited bodies to assess whether the policies that address situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic, are UN CRPD compliant and prevent a disproportionate impact on the rights of persons with disabilities;

• European countries must ensure that all the relevant information and communication in relation to situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, is accessible in national sign languages immediately with no delay and to the same extent as it is accessible in written and spoken languages of a country, in line with Articles 9, 11 and 21 of the UN CRPD. This must be done at all levels of administration, including regional and local levels, and across all policy areas. NADs must be at the centre of assessing the quality of accessibility, and information and communication in national sign languages must be provided automatically, without the need for NADs to make an official request for accessibility;

• European countries must ensure that all alternatives to guarantee the right to communication of deaf persons, including face shields and/or transparent masks, safeguard the highest standard of safety during situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. When governments implement measures that create barriers for communication of deaf persons (i.e. obligations to wear face covering masks during the COVID-19 pandemic), they must offer alternatives that guarantee the right to communication of deaf persons. These alternatives, such as face shields and/or transparent masks, shall ensure the highest standard of safety of deaf persons, in line with Articles 9, 11 and 21 of the UN CRPD;

• European countries must ensure access to in-person and/or remote communication with medical professionals in national sign languages during situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Deaf sign language users must be able to communicate with medical professionals either through safe, free and high quality in-person sign language interpreting and/or video remote interpreting (VRI) services. When VRI services are in place, deaf sign language users must not carry the burden of organising and/or covering the costs of the interpreting services. This should be done in line ______4 President : Markku Jokinen – Executive Director : Mark Wheatley European Union of the Deaf – Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 26/15 – 1040 Brussels – Belgium www .eud.eu

with Article 25 of the UN CRPD, with the aim to ensure that every deaf person has equal access to health care services without discrimination;

• European countries must ensure that all deaf learners have access to education in national sign languages while ensuring the highest standard of safety in exceptional situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies such as the COVID- 19 pandemic. When distance education is put in place, European countries must ensure that this does not discriminate against deaf learners, including deaf learners living in poverty and/or in disadvantaged areas, and guarantee, when possible, safe in-person education to those who lack the adequate equipment, technology and/or internet access for those unable to follow distance education on an equal basis with others;

• European countries must ensure that measures to respond to exceptional situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic do not have a disproportionate impact on deaf persons in employment. All information about work and employment, including exceptional employment income support schemes, must be accessible in national sign languages, so that deaf sign language users benefit equally from the measures put in place by different State authorities;

• European countries must ensure that deaf persons in employment are provided and/or continue to be provided with reasonable accommodation during exceptional situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies, such as the COVID- 19 pandemic. When new employment settings are introduced as a result of a risk and humanitarian emergency (i.e. telework), European countries must ensure that deaf sign language users are provided with reasonable accommodation. New platforms and/or working methods must be accessible in national sign languages. This should aim at allowing deaf sign language users to continue to carry out their employment responsibilities on an equal footing with others;

______5 President : Markku Jokinen – Executive Director : Mark Wheatley European Union of the Deaf – Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 26/15 – 1040 Brussels – Belgium www .eud.eu

ANNEX I. RIGHT TO ACCESS INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION IN NATIONAL SIGN LANGUAGES

The right to access information and communication in national sign languages is enshrined in Articles 9 and 21 of the UN CRPD. Throughout the spread of the COVID- 19 pandemic, the right to access information has become yet even more prominent than ever before, as European governments take unprecedented decisions that limit freedoms in an effort to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Access to information and communication in national sign languages allow deaf persons to stay up to date on the rules and guidelines that apply at any given time, and on this basis, make informed decisions on an equal basis with others. This section highlights the main developments in Europe regarding the access to information and communication in national sign languages by deaf persons during the COVID-19 pandemic, including information about the outbreak, containment measures, the spread of the pandemic, exceptional recovery measures and income support schemes.

At EUD, we recognise the efforts put forward by countries in Europe to increase the provision of information in national sign languages during the COVID-19 pandemic. As showcased in a new section of EUD’s website with information on the accessibility of information on COVID-19 in different European countries, it becomes clear that all the governments of the EU Member States as well as the governments of Iceland, Norway, and the United Kingdom have provided sign language interpretation during key press conferences and public hearings throughout the pandemic. However, EUD notes that while the increase of information in national sign languages has been certainly positive, this has only been done upon continuous efforts and requests by deaf persons through NADs. Likewise, despite the clear obligation to ensure accessibility under Articles 9 and 21 of the UN CRPD, an equal and comprehensive access to all the information provided by national authorities and at all levels continues to be insufficient, and many deaf persons in Europe fear that the increase in provision of information and communication in national sign languages will not continue after the pandemic.

EUD also notes that many measures put in place by many European governments to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the obligation to wear face covering masks, has created new barriers to the right to access communication for deaf persons. Moreover, alternatives to enable communication of deaf persons such as face shields and/or transparent masks, have not been made available, affordable and/or have not ensured the highest standard of safety for deaf persons during the COVID-19 pandemic.

______6 President : Markku Jokinen – Executive Director : Mark Wheatley European Union of the Deaf – Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 26/15 – 1040 Brussels – Belgium www .eud.eu

In relation to the right to access to information, NADs in 16 countries have reported an increase in the provision of information in national sign languages1, including an increase in the quality of the sign language interpretation. For instance, the Lithuanian Deaf Association reported that a sign language interpreter stood beside the President for the first time.

The increase in provision of information in national sign languages has resulted in a larger number of sign language interpreters working with the government and public authorities. As reported by the Federation of Flemish Deaf Organisations, deaf interpreters have been used for the first time to provide daily interpretation in Belgium. NADs in 12 countries have also informed about an increase in the visibility of national sign languages2. The Danish Deaf Association informed about an increase in the number of persons enrolled in classes during the pandemic.

As reported from NADs in 12 countries, information did not become accessible by default despite the urgency of the situation, however it took a lot of advocacy work by deaf persons through NADs to gain an equal access to information. In the Netherlands, information only became accessible after a deaf man carried out his own campaign and stood behind a reporter with a sign that read ‘where is my sign language interpreter?’.

Despite the increase in provision of sign language interpreting, 9 NADs have reported that accessible information about COVID19 remains insufficient or of poor quality3. The German Association of the Deaf reported that information about COVID-19 became accessible two months after important press conferences started to be held. Moreover, the Estonian Association of the Deaf reported that accessible governmental videos on YouTube were of poor quality.

During COVID19, it has become clear that there are important gaps in awareness about accessibility between different ministries and political domains. In France, the National Federation for the Deaf informed that, while press conferences by the Prime Minister became accessible, this was not the case for information coming from other Ministries, such as Education. The Maltese Deaf People’s Association informed that ‘relations with Ministries such as Finance or Tourism have been really poor’.

There have also been gaps between different levels of administration, with local and regional governments often providing for less accessible information. The Austrian Deaf Association explained that ‘while the federal government’s announcements are accessible, the accessibility of regional press conference depends on regional policies’.

In 4 countries, the claims put forward by NADs were overlooked. In Denmark, the Department of Health has only provided written information despite the efforts of the Danish Deaf Association. In , the Latvian Association of the Deaf has struggled to

1 NADs in Austria, Belgium (FL), Belgium (W), Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, , Ireland, , , Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, , Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, United Kingdom (Scotland). 2 NADs in Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Ireland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland. 3 NADs in Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Malta and Slovakia. ______7 President : Markku Jokinen – Executive Director : Mark Wheatley European Union of the Deaf – Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 26/15 – 1040 Brussels – Belgium www .eud.eu raise the budget for more sign language interpretation and subtitling on tv announcements.

In relation to the right to access communication, 9 NADs have clearly indicated that the obligation to wear face covering masks has significantly reduced the access to information and communication in their countries4. The Croatian Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing reported that rules to wear masks have limited the access to communication and information. The Spanish National Confederation of Deaf People reported that while groups of volunteers were making transparent masks, there has been a lack of clarity whether transparent masks meet requirements to be certified as ensuring the highest standard of safety.

The Union of the Deaf in Bulgaria that transparent masks do not provide a good solution, as they do not ensure a good level of safety. In Luxembourg, the Luxembourgian Association of the Deaf and hard of hearing promoted the use of face shields through a nationwide campaign as an alternative to face covering masks. 7 NADs reported not to have strict requirements to wear masks in their countries5.

The arrival and the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe has created an unprecedented unstable situation, with a constantly evolving situation. In this context, making informed decisions requires the full access to information and communication about all aspects of the COVID-19 and the containment measures. However, European governments have been unable to guarantee an equal access to information and communication in national sign languages for deaf sign language users. This has also become apparent regarding the alternatives to face covering masks, as most of them have not proved available, affordable or safe.

4 NADs in Austria, Belgium (FL), Belgium (W), Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Ireland, Slovakia, Spain. 5 NADs in Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland,

______8 President : Markku Jokinen – Executive Director : Mark Wheatley European Union of the Deaf – Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 26/15 – 1040 Brussels – Belgium www .eud.eu

ANNEX II. RIGHT TO HEALTH

The COVID-19 virus, classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the 11th of March, has reinforced the paramount importance that all countries around the world ensure that every human enjoys the highest attainable standard of health without discrimination6. Undoubtedly, a core element is the equal access to health care services. As laid down by Article 25 (a) of the UN CRPD, ‘States Parties shall provide persons with disabilities with the same range, quality and standard of free or affordable health care and programmes as provided to other persons’.

For deaf persons, especially those infected by COVID-19 virus, a truly equal access to health care services includes the access to communication with health care professionals in national sign languages. During lockdown, access to hotlines has also been key to safeguard both physical and mental health, as in-person provision of health care services has been restricted.

Throughout the impact of the COVID-19, EUD has noted positively the increase in accessibility of hotlines in national sign languages in some countries in Europe, which has taken place as a result of the strong advocacy efforts of deaf persons through NADs in partnership with key stakeholders. However, unprecedented rules to contain the virus have not taken into account the possible impact on deaf persons, and as a result, new barriers to access health care have arisen, such as limitations to communicate with health care professionals in national sign languages.

NADs from 8 countries in Europe have reported that the number of accessible hours of hotlines in their national sign language have increased and/or made accessible for the first time7. For example, the Portuguese Federation of Associations of the Deaf reported that the COVID-19 health hotline became accessible through video-relay services.

The NADs in Belgium and Spain reported a positive engagement with national UN CRPD monitoring bodies. The Spanish National Association of the Deaf informed that an accessible COVID-19 hotline has been put in place with a video interpretation platform of the Spanish Disability Council8. In Belgium, the Federation of Flemish Deaf Organisations liaised with the Belgian Equality Body, and this body contacted hospitals to remind them that lack of provision of sign language interpretation is discriminatory and against national law, although the NAD also informed the implementation of this has proved problematic.

6 UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Article 12, General Comment No 14: ‘The Right to the Highest Attainable Standard of Health’, see https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/treatybodyexternal/Download.aspx?symbolno=E%2fC.12% 2f2000%2f4&Lang=en 7 NADs in Austria, Belgium (FL), Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy and Spain. 8 SVIsual Platform, see http://www.svisual.org/SvisualCERMI/VideoWeb-CERMI.aspx ______9 President : Markku Jokinen – Executive Director : Mark Wheatley European Union of the Deaf – Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 26/15 – 1040 Brussels – Belgium www .eud.eu

The right communication while receiving treatment at hospitals and health care facilities has been hindered by unprecedented measures to contain the virus. In many countries, strict rules forbidding persons to accompany patients have not allowed sign language interpreters to accompany deaf persons inside health care facilities and hospitals. As a result, many deaf persons have relied on technology to communicate with medical professionals through video remote interpreting, however some NADs have reported that video remote interpreting does not equal the quality of in-person interpreting. The Norwegian Association of the Deaf informed that remote interpreting cannot be seen as a valid alternative to in-person interpreting, as technology poses challenges to the quality of communication.

Some countries have put in place strict regulations which do not allow sign language interpreters to accompany deaf persons inside hospitals, in these countries, NADs have strongly advocated for remote interpreting to be enabled, with sufficient quality to guarantee full communication. In other countries, authorities allow for sign language interpreters to provide for in-person interpretation, so long the sign language interpreter wears a transparent mask and/or follows social distancing in order to protect the safety of themselves and others.

In Ireland, the Health Service Executive approved guidelines to enable communication between deaf persons and health care professionals through remote interpreting or directly in Irish Sign Language9. NADs from 12 countries informed that sign language interpreters are allowed to accompany deaf persons so long they respect social distancing rules10. The Czech Republic Union of Deaf and Hard of Hearing informed that up to two sign language interpreters can accompany a deaf person if they wear a transparent mask.

However, in many countries across Europe strict rules and guidelines continue to hinder the right to communication with health care professionals of deaf sign language users. The British Deaf Association informed that lack of communication in hospitals continues, as sign language interpreters are denied entry and/or medical personnel does not accept to communicate with deaf persons through video remote interpreting.

These environmental barriers, in addition to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic itself, has indeed affected the mental health of many deaf persons, with elderly deaf persons at special risk. Many NADs have reported an important digital gap between younger and elder persons, the latter being less familiar with video remote interpreting services and technology. This has created a situation in which lockdown measures have translated into forced isolation of deaf elderly.

An increasing amount of NADs have paid specific attention to mental health, ensuring accessibility to mental health hotlines in national sign languages. At least 8 NADs have expressed concern about the mental health of deaf persons, together with efforts to

9 ‘Approved Communication Support for Deaf Patients in health care services’ see https://www.irishdeafsociety.ie/2997-2/ 10 NADs in Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Sweden. ______10 President : Markku Jokinen – Executive Director : Mark Wheatley European Union of the Deaf – Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 26/15 – 1040 Brussels – Belgium www .eud.eu increase accessible hours in national sign languages of mental health hotlines. The French-speaking Federation of the Deaf Belgians has coordinated a group of volunteers to provide mental health support and support to victims of domestic violence during lockdown. The British Deaf Association reported that the mental health of the deaf elderly is a concern, due to isolation, loneliness, lack of family members and/or lack of adequate equipment to benefit from technology.

During the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the right to health as well as physical and mental wellbeing has been at stake for everyone. However, the lack of awareness of accessibility for deaf persons, sign languages and consultation with NADs to address the response to the pandemic has created new barriers in Europe in the realisation of the right to health by deaf persons, especially in relation to the access to health care services on an equal basis and the right to communication with health care professionals.

______11 President : Markku Jokinen – Executive Director : Mark Wheatley European Union of the Deaf – Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 26/15 – 1040 Brussels – Belgium www .eud.eu

ANNEX III. RIGHT TO WORK AND EMPLOYMENT

The measures adopted to contain the spread of the COVID-19 have had socioeconomic implications that have already impacted the right to work and employment of persons in Europe, with higher unemployment rates and an increase in levels of poverty and social exclusion. According to Eurostat, the unemployment rate of the European Union went from 6.5% in February to 7.2% in July 202011. The increase in unemployment figures is more likely to have a disproportionate impact on persons with disabilities, as indicated by the European Disability Forum in their 2020 report on poverty and social exclusion12. Despite data on unemployment rates for deaf persons in Europe being under reported and/or inaccurate, NADs have already reported a worrisome increase in unemployment for deaf persons.

In light of the anticipated socioeconomic impact of the pandemic, many countries in Europe have put in place income support schemes to prevent an increase in poverty and guarantee that persons can maintain an adequate standard of living. Access to information has proved essential to access these income support schemes, however, it has become apparent that while information about the COVID-19 pandemic in national sign languages has increased, information about more specific measures such as income support schemes has been insufficient, leaving many deaf sign language users at risk of being excluded from financial support.

Some NADs already expressed concern about the increase in unemployment for deaf persons. The Union of the Deaf in Bulgaria reported that unemployment for the deaf has increased significantly, with mental health implications. The Slovak Association of the Deaf explained that many deaf persons have lost their jobs and reported that it is expected that it will be difficult for deaf persons to find new employment opportunities. The Austrian Deaf Association reported that deaf self-employed have suffered a loss of 80-90% of their income.

When strict lockdown measures were enforced, telework became the rule for many workers, and communication went from in-person communication to digital communication. In this regard, the Irish Deaf Society reported that not everyone has benefitted equally from telework. Indeed, many deaf workers in Europe have lost access to sign language interpreting when new work employment settings such as telework have been introduced.

11 ‘Eurostat: News release euro indicators’ see https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/10568643/3-01092020-BP-EN.pdf/39668e66- 2fd4-4ec0-9fd4- 4d7c99306c98#:~:text=In%20July%202020%2C%20a%20month,from%207.1%25%20in%20June%202 020. 12 European Disability Forum, 2020 European Human Rights Report: Poverty and Social Exclusion of Persons with Disabilities, see https://mcusercontent.com/865a5bbea1086c57a41cc876d/files/ad60807b-a923-4a7e-ac84- 559c4a5212a8/EDF_HR_Report_final_tagged_interactive_v2_accessible.pdf ______12 President : Markku Jokinen – Executive Director : Mark Wheatley European Union of the Deaf – Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 26/15 – 1040 Brussels – Belgium www .eud.eu

Telework during the COVID-19 has also impacted work-life balance, as many parents have had to find time for care responsibilities while delivering on their work commitments. In this regard, the Lithuanian Deaf Association reported that many parents have struggled to find a balance between home schooling of their children and employment obligations during lockdown.

The increase in unemployment, coupled with the reality that deaf persons face more discrimination to enter the open labour market on an equal basis with others, showcases that deaf persons are more likely to be disproportionately affected by the socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

______13 President : Markku Jokinen – Executive Director : Mark Wheatley European Union of the Deaf – Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 26/15 – 1040 Brussels – Belgium www .eud.eu

ANNEX IV. RIGHT TO EDUCATION

As a result of COVID19, learners and education authorities have had to adopt teaching methodologies to online platforms to continue education while preventing the spread of the virus. Education, especially during lockdown measures, went online, keeping millions of learners across Europe at home, far from from their teachers and classmates.

As reported by NADs in Europe, deaf learners have not benefited equally from distance education. There have been delays in arrangements for sign language interpreting online which have impacted negatively on deaf learners. For young children, many European countries have provided educational programs on public broadcasters, and many of these programs have not been interpreted into national sign languages, and when they have been interpreted, this was done only upon request of the NADs and with important delays.

Moreover, a digital and technological gap has become yet more apparent during distance education, as the broader access to technology and adequate equipment has been certainly unequal. Deaf learners, and especially those living in poverty, have not had the adequate equipment or devices to follow education at home, and many people living in rural areas and disadvantaged communities were not able to access Internet connection to follow their education on the same level as others.

9 NADs in Europe reported that the right to education has been disrupted for deaf learners during the hit of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Romanian National Association for the Deaf reported that remote education does not work for everyone, especially those without adequate equipment and/or internet access. Likewise, the Swiss Federation of the Deaf explained that there has been an unequal access to distance education due to the digital divide.

In the case of young children, many families received guidance from education professionals on how to provide basic education at home. However, this impacted severely on the right of deaf children to a sign language environment, as many parents and family members do not use sign language(s) and/or are not aware of the importance of learning in sign language(s). The Spanish National Confederation of Deaf People explained that some schools terminated the employment contract with sign language interpreters. The Maltese Deaf People’s Association reported that there has been a lack of awareness about national sign languages among parents.

In relation to additional inequalities as a result of distance education, the Hellenic Federation of the Deaf reported that even when distance education was accessible in , it was still not accessible for deaf learners with multiple disabilities and/or at risk of poverty. The National Federation of France for the Deaf expressed that education, in general, had not been accessible as teachers lacked adequate materials, many deaf students have been isolated and it has been challenging due to the lack of sign language at home.

______14 President : Markku Jokinen – Executive Director : Mark Wheatley European Union of the Deaf – Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 26/15 – 1040 Brussels – Belgium www .eud.eu

ANNEX V: PROMISING PRACTICES BY NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS OF THE DEAF DURING COVID19

NADs in Europe have played an essential role in the realisation of the rights of deaf persons during the COVID-19 pandemic. EUD recognises this role, and would like to emphasise that NADs in Europe have advocated for deaf persons to access - information about the COVID-19 outbreak and containment measures, as well as COVID-19 income support schemes; - distance education in national sign languages, especially for deaf children. Many NADs in Europe have worked with public authorities and audio-visual broadcasters to ensure that TV educational programs are accessible in national sign languages; - communication in healthcare, either through in-person interpreting or through video remote interpreting; - devices and upskilling programmes to fight isolation, especially of deaf elderly; - hotlines on COVID-19, mental health and domestic violence in national sign languages;

In addition to the above, many NADs across Europe have carried out promising practices that have the potential of improving the human rights and equality of deaf sign language users in Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of these practices are listed below:

• Deaf Flanders (Belgium) informed the Flemish federation of hospitals about the possibility to use software to enable video remote interpreting in and advised deaf people to download software in advance (before going to hospital) so they could use video remote interpreting while at the hospital. • Deaf Flanders (Belgium) requested the Belgian and Flemish governments to ensure that provision of sign language interpretation and deaf interpreters would remain in important government communication and announcements, also after the COVID-19 pandemic. • Deaf Flanders (Belgium) requested the consortium in charge for COVID-19 contact tracing to hire a (deaf) person who is a fluent sign language user for outreach to and contact tracing in the deaf community. • The French-speaking Federation of the Deaf Belgians (Belgium) created a hotline for mental health support in SL with a group of psychologists and social workers; • The Union of the Deaf in Bulgaria met with the Minister of Health to highlight the communication barrier of face-covering masks for deaf persons, and the Government of Bulgaria lifted the obligation to wear masks to facilitate the communication of deaf persons. • The British Deaf Association received funding from the Scottish Government to provide daily culturally appropriate sign language information presentations of the official briefings from the Scottish Government. These were written and presented by Deaf people along with emergency updates, and, Covid-19 myth-busting information clips from the WHO. This service included a weekly Live Stream session on different topics such as Deaf children’s education at home, caring for deaf people with dementia, mental health and wellbeing, `Deaf Clubs, the Scottish

______15 President : Markku Jokinen – Executive Director : Mark Wheatley European Union of the Deaf – Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 26/15 – 1040 Brussels – Belgium www .eud.eu

Ethnic Minority Deaf Association and other areas of interest and concern to Scotland’s Deaf population. • The Croatian Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing has submitted a suggestion about obligatory face covering masks to the Central Medical Institution of Public Health. The suggestion was taken into account and deaf persons, when communicating, are not obliged to wear a mask but have to keep the recomended physical distance. This also includes sign language interpreters. • The Croatian Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing works closely with the Croatian Union of Associations of Persons with Disabilities (SOIH) as well as the Ombudswoman for persons with disabilities Mrs Anka Slonjšak on increasing the awareness on specific needs of deaf and hard of hearing persons. The Croatian Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is satisfied that the President of the Republic of Croatia Mr Zoran Milanović, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Mr Andrej Plenković, and other government officials participated in the Global Leaders Challenge organised by the World Federation of the Deaf during the International Week of the Deaf. • The Croatian Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing provides information to all its members through its social media channels about the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic. • The Czech Republic Union of Deaf and Hard of Hearing successfully advocated for communication to be enabled through in-person interpreting, with interpreters wearing certified transparent masks, this was approved. • The Czech Republic Union of Deaf and Hard of Hearing successfully advocated for the provision of interpretation and subtitling of live television broadcasts during the coronavirus crisis. • The Danish Deaf Association established a new hotline for deaf people during the COVID-19 pandemic in co-operation with the Danish Red Cross. • The Finnish Association of the Deaf circulated small-scale survey with 100 participants on the impact of COVID-19, with deaf persons saying that accessibility has increased. • The Finnish Association of the Deaf organised remote access to volunteers for deaf persons suffering from isolation during lockdown measures and distance courses for deaf persons who belonged to risk groups of COVID-19 to increase knowledge and wellbeing during the pandemic. • The German Association of the Deaf requested the Government to provide technological equipment (i.e. tablets) at hospitals to allow for video remote interpreting and allow communication of deaf persons with medical professionals. • The German Association of the Deaf also requested that press conferences and announcements by the government should be accompanied by sign language interpreters, shown on screen during the regular television programme. After an intervention by the German Association of the Deaf, there has been success in making available sign language interpreters for the online live streams of said conferences, and there is hope it will become available during regular television airings. • The German Association of the Deaf is following negotiations with government agencies regarding a misleading sign language webcam hotline which does not, in fact, provide interpreted access to medical professionals as it suggests. This is ______16 President : Markku Jokinen – Executive Director : Mark Wheatley European Union of the Deaf – Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 26/15 – 1040 Brussels – Belgium www .eud.eu

especially important as there is no free Video-Relay services for telephones in Germany. • The Hellenic Federation of the Deaf successfully requested the use of a deaf sign language interpreter at the daily school program on the public broadcaster, playing the role of a deaf role model. • The Hungarian Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing increased the flexibility of payment of membership fees by members; • The Hungarian Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing made video tutorials for deaf workers about changes in labour law during the state of emergency. • The Hungarian Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing provides for free Video-Relay Services. • The Icelandic Association of the Deaf has a good cooperation with Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management to ensure that all press conferences have a sign language interpreter, including the website www.covid.is. They also review the quality of the interpreting. • The Icelandic Association of the Deaf has good cooperation with Directoreate of Labour to ensure that deaf do not lose their jobs, as deaf people are particularly at risk of unemployment during the COVID-19 pandemic. • The Icelandic Association of the Deaf made a video about COVID-19 for deaf elderly, explaining the situation of the pandemic, the current cirumstances in Iceland, what they can to do if they have symptons. They also remind them of their rights to access sign language interpreting services. • The Irish Deaf Society engaged with the Irish Health Services Executive (HSE) to ensure all Department of Health Covid-19 television briefings included an Interpreter and were available to watch on social media following live broadcasts. • The Irish Deaf Society engaged with the Irish Health Services Executive (HSE) to translate a series of key information documents about Covid-19 symptoms, testing, isolation and cocooning and a set of guidelines for healthcare staff about how to communicate with deaf people and booking/working with interpreters. • The Irish Deaf Society distributed free phones donated by telephony company (Huawei) with call credit from a mobile phone operator (Vodafone) to enable access to technology for deaf persons. • The Italian Association of the Deaf (ENS) has interpreted into the press conferences of the Government, the bulletins of civil protection and the provisions and regulations provided across the Italian regions for the containment of the COVID-19 pandemic. • The Italian Association of the Deaf (ENS) cooperated with a mobile phone operator to allow deaf patients access communication with their families and doctors through remote Italian Sign Language interpreting services. • The Italian Association of the Deaf (ENS) interpreted into Italian sign language and all laws and provisions issued by the Government and regions to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is published on the website of the Italian Association of the Deaf. • The Latvian Association of the Deaf has worked with social workers to assist families for deaf children to receive education in . • The Latvian Association of the Deaf set up regional groups with members via Skype and Facebook to exchange information, education video recordings were ______17 President : Markku Jokinen – Executive Director : Mark Wheatley European Union of the Deaf – Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 26/15 – 1040 Brussels – Belgium www .eud.eu

done with recreational activities were created for the deaf to watch during lockdown. • The Latvian Association of the Deaf put forward the ‘Providing campaign’. This campaign aimed at mobilising deaf persons to contact State authorities, such as Parliament, the Ombudsperson or the Cabinet of the Prime Minister, whenever sign language interpreting services would be denied due to lack of resources. For instance, when the press conferences about the COVID-19 pandemic were launched, the Latvian Association of the Deaf contacted the Cabinet of the Prime Minister and sign language interpreting was provided. • The Lithuanian Deaf Association requested the government for interpretation of information into , as a result, press conferences and announcements of government officials (president, prime minister, ministers, and other specialists) were interpreted in Lithuanian Sign Language, which was not the case before the pandemic. Also, during the pandemic, Lithuanian sign language interpreting services were launched 24/7. Since then, their provision has always been guaranteed. • The Luxembourgian Association of the Deaf and hard of hearing active in highlighting that face covering masks posed a communication barrier to deaf persons. In Luxembourg, a social service centre distributed face shields, and a countrywide information campaign released at the beginning of May informed about the need to wear face shields due to the negative impacts of covering the mouth and nose on deaf and hard of hearing persons. • The Romanian National Association of the Deaf offered interpretation in of official press releases by the presence of an interpreter with the strategic communication group and by posting on the official Facebook page of video materials of general interest with interpretation in Romanian Sign Language. • The Slovak Association of the Deaf provided transparent mask to sign language interpreters, and deaf people were provided with masks with the sign of an ear, which has improved communication. Deaf and Hard of hearing persons could be recognised more easily. Deaf and hard of hearing persons actively participated in sewing masks for others. • The Slovak Association of the Deaf provided deaf and hard of hearing persons with cards with key phone numbers and, with information stating that the person is deaf or hard of hearing. We also cooperated with Regional Department of Public Health and produced a Guide for health care workers with information about how to communicate with deaf persons when infected by COVID 19 and how to ensure that deaf will understand the procedures. • The Slovak Association of the Deaf made informative videos in Slovak Sign Language and subtitles to ensure that deaf and hard of hearing persons access all the important information about COVID-19, situation and measures. Videos were made by deaf and hard of hearing persons. • The Slovenian Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing informs the deaf community on a daily basis with up to date information on the measures in place to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is available on their website: www.spletnatv.si and their Facebook page (SpletnaTV). • The Slovenian Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing employed consultants within a Counseling Centre in Slovene Sign Language. Counseling is ______18 President : Markku Jokinen – Executive Director : Mark Wheatley European Union of the Deaf – Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 26/15 – 1040 Brussels – Belgium www .eud.eu

provided through a digital platform so that anyone can turn to a counsellor in Slovene Sign Language, as well as in written communication. • The Spanish National Confederation of Deaf People has published specific guides for deaf women victims of domestic violence and has translated and disseminated all relevant information from the Ministry of Equality. • The Spanish National Confederation of Deaf People has created an educational care network with regional deaf organisations, together with psychologists to disseminate accessible videos on mental health during lockdown.

______19 President : Markku Jokinen – Executive Director : Mark Wheatley European Union of the Deaf – Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 26/15 – 1040 Brussels – Belgium www .eud.eu