Banks are failing deaf customers, charity says

Published on Wednesday 22 February 2012 01:42

Banks and building societies are leaving people with hearing loss feeling “financially excluded”, campaigners have claimed.

Deaf customers are not receiving equal access to services and lenders’ increased reliance on technology such as telephone banking means they have an even tougher time, Action on Hearing Loss argued.

Campaigners said half of those with hearing problems surveyed were unhappy with the communication methods used by their bank or building society.

The charity found from its 6,000 members that some three-quarters visited their branch in person, although less than half would prefer to communicate in this way.

A third of respondents had experienced difficulties relating to hearing loss or deafness when communicating with their bank or building society.

Roger Wicks, a director of the charity, said: “Some banks are failing people, which can leave them frustrated and isolated, and can lead to them feeling financially excluded.

“We strongly believe that people with a hearing loss should have equal access to their banking services.”

The study said that bank staff did not always understand the “text relay” system for phone communication, which allows customers to type a message that is relayed through an operator.

Action on Hearing Loss, formerly known as the RNID, surveyed 152 bank and building society branches and found that in more than half (52 per cent) there was no induction loop or the loop was not available, switched on or working.

The charity said one anonymous bank customer had told it: “[They] try to speak with me through a glass screen.

“They have the counter loop sign, but staff don’t know what it is or how it works. There is no deaf awareness.”

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6

Never A Fake

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 08:44 PM

Whut?

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ENDBUREAUCRACYBULLIES

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 09:34 AM

NEW - https:www.youtube.comwatch?v=jtWCcCkBeYo NOT THAT IT IS GERMAN OR EUROPEAN UNION'S FOLD FOR WHAT IS TAKING PLACE, BUT INSTEAD LIBERALCOMMUNIST BUREAUCRACY BULLIES IN INDIVIDUAL EUROPEAN STATES WHO LOVE TO PICK ON SMALL PEOPLE WITH IDEA TO TURN THEM INTO DISSIDENTS FOR THE SAKE OF THEIR POLITICAL AGENDA (anti German-European sentiment is used or stereotyping = exactly why we see Greece in flames and numerous people are incarcerated throughout German prison system) WITH USE OF GENOCIDE PROCEDURES WHILE BEHIND OUR BACKS, CRIMINALS ARE SUGGESTING TO THE REST OF COMMUNITY DURING THEIR BOGUS FINANCIAL CRISES WHICH THEY HAVE CREATED, HOW IT'S RIGHTISTS FOLD FOR EUROPEAN UNION TO FALL APART AND EVEN HOW THERE IS STILL HOPE(because YOUR hope people, dies last if you remember)...WE CAN STILL SAVE EUROPE(after they have screwed Europe with third world population flood and cheap Chinese imports = all with INTENTION to turn you in jobless trash for the sake of NWO, they dare to talk to you about hope - imagine this). As far as America, see for yourself on video(truth about chameleon Ron Paul, other presidential candidates, and manipulated voting pols)... NEW - https:www.youtube.comwatch?v=jtWCcCkBeYo

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4

Flakey

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 07:36 AM

Pardon?

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EmilyJones

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 05:45 AM

Do you want to meet deaf, ASL and HOH singles and friends? DeafMatching,com is the most trusted and largest community for deaf, ASL and hearing-impaired singles to meet and find love, friends, relationships, romance, dating. Here you can meet new friends, share stories, make friends in your local area. I’m glad if this is useful to you.

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antiparasite

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 02:22 AM

Banks are evil...........

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Charles Linskaill

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 02:03 AM

Banks fail Everyone, It's Disgraceful, Banks a Law unto themselves, Why do we put up with their more than, 'terrible practice'!

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