Fire Safety is essential, both in teaching areas and residential accommodation. 

The Royal National Institute for the Deaf estimate 8.7million people in the UK are affected by deafness and hearing loss. Statistics show this figure is steadily increasing; by 2005 it is expected to be in the region of 10.2 million. The probability that everyone who reads this will be affected by deafness at some point during his or her life, either directly or through someone close, is virtually unavoidable. 

Safety for deaf and hard of hearing people has long been an afterthought. More than 90 per cent of deaf children and young deaf adults are educated in mainstream education facilities. A major concern is the inadequate provision of fire safety for those with sufficient hearing loss as to not be able to hear the building's fire alarm.

The Special Educational Needs Act (SEN) and Disability 2001 amends the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995, enforcing civil rights for disabled pupils and students to education including higher education. Effective 1st January 2002, SEN makes it unlawful to discriminate against disabled people or students by treating them less favourably.

Education providers will be required to make reasonable adjustments to provisions where disabled students/people are placed at a substantial disadvantage. It is discriminatory not to provide deaf or hard of hearing students or teachers with the same access to fire warnings that a hearing person receives. 

Assigning a 'Buddy' to inform and evacuate a deaf student or teacher is life threatening to both; for the deaf or hard of hearing it is degrading, denies independence and discourages participation. In a fire, where life safety becomes an issue, liability for the welfare of deaf or hard of hearing people rests with the education provider. Needs are anticipatory, an institute must not wait until a deaf person enrols, facilities must be readily available.

Deaf Alerter® is the market leading fire alarm warning and messaging system for deaf and hard of hearing people. The radio-based system connects to the building's existing fire alarm and when triggered, sends a signal to an alerter, worn by a deaf student or teacher.

Deaf Alerter provides complete building coverage with equal opportunity to fire alarms and audible warnings for all, including public address announcements and other information that hearing people receive audibly.

With the help of Deaf Alerter; children, pupils and teachers can successfully be included in education. Inclusive schooling cannot be achieved until the needs of deaf and hard of hearing people have been accommodated.

Education providers who actively seek to remove barriers clearly demonstrate a caring attitude. Including deaf and hard of hearing people into your safety plan fulfils statutory requirements. For pupils and their families, knowing everything possible has been done to ensure safety, provides a learning environment with equality. 

Local Authority and Public Access Buildings committed to good practice have installed Deaf Alerter to benefit students, employees and members of the public. The recognised Deaf Alerter symbol can be seen in public places giving reassurance to thousands of deaf and hard of hearing people.

It is an infringement of human rights not to have access to the fire alarm. Failure to be made aware of a fire situation can have devastating effects! 

For further information please contact Deaf Alerter plc, 
Enfield House, 303 Burton Road, Derby, DE23 6AG

Tel 01332 363 981 
Fax 01332 293 267 
Minicom 01332 291 921
info@deaf-alerter.com
www.deaf-alerter.com