New bid for students to aid the deaf

A CHARITY for the deaf today launched a recruitment drive in a bid to enlist students as electronic note-takers.

The RNID, which represents around nine million deaf and hard of hearing people across the UK, is urging students to work part-time in the role during their university or college studies.

Electronic note-taking is useful for deaf people in lectures or meetings. The note-taker summarises the spoken conversation and types it on to a laptop, which then appears on the deaf person’s laptop through special software.

It works well when a deaf person uses English rather than British Sign Language and finds lipreading difficult.

Joanne Armour, RNID senior co-ordinator for Scotland, said students can earn 15 an hour if they are able to type at least 65 words per minute.

She added: "By providing good electronic note-takers in the local communities throughout the UK, we are improving the quality of life for deaf and hard of hearing people. They can help with access to services and facilities that many hearing people take for granted."