Support for deaf and hard of hearing people to access Home Office services
Published 5 February 2014
© Crown copyright 2014
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-for-deaf-and-hard-of-hearing-people-to-access-home-office-services/support-for-deaf-and-hard-of-hearing-people-to-access-home-office-services
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The Home Office, Police and non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) are subject to the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) under the Equality Act 2010. However, for the Home Office, Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) has achieved the “Louder than Words” accreditation which required the training of staff to communicate with customers and to provide communication support whenever requested which would include BSL interpreters. Other Home Office operational areas may consider following this accreditation route, they currently provide individual support based on customer needs. This includes the use of an interpreter, palantypist, lip speaker or providing information in writing.
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The main supplier for communication support is The Big Word and 90% of their deaf and hard of hearing interpreters are registered with the NRCPD.