Deaf Access to Sport & Health

DASH Report 2024

The DASH Project was funded via the North Tyneside Health Inequalities Fund

 

Project Delivery

The project was delivered by deaf awareness: NE (registered charity 1178549)

 

Project Duration

The practical delivery of the project took place from 8th September 2022 to 31st October 2023 with evidence gathering and report writing taking place up to 31st January 2024.

 

Project Purpose

The project set out to offer Sport and Health based sessions to deaf and hard of hearing people, along with their hearing counterparts, and to assess the specific access issues faced by deaf and hard of hearing people and to put in place mechanisms to reduce these, so that deaf and hard of hearing people received service delivery that was comparative to their hearing counterparts.

 

deaf awareness:NE group members receiving BSL Interpreted information during a Badminton session

 

Delivered Sessions

A total of fifty sessions were delivered across the duration of the project. These included:

 

  • 5 x Health/Food Lectures
  • 6 x Relaxation Sessions
  • 39 x Sporting Activities

 

Sporting Activities included:

 

  • Archery
  • Badminton
  • Basketball
  • Canoeing
  • Carpet Bowls
  • Dry Slope Skiing
  • Gentle Exercise
  • Indoor Climbing
  • Pitch & Putt Golf
  • Squash
  • Tennis
  • Yoga

 

Organisations and venues that were essential to the practical delivery of the project were:

 

  • The Linskill Centre
  • Hadrian Leisure Centre
  • Killingworth Archers
  • Marden Bridge Middle School
  • Cobras Basketball Club
  • Prudhoe Riverside Country Park
  • WinG Outdoor Activities
  • Seaton Sluice Community Centre
  • Silksworth Sports Complex and Ski Slope
  • Whitley Bay Mini Golf & FootGolf
  • North Tyneside Council
  • Tynemouth Squash Club
  • Beverley Park Lawn Tennis Club
  • Yoga with Kerry 
  • Vagus Wellbeing

 

The Project was unable, due to practical and logistical reasons, to provide the requested sporting opportunities of Swimming and Trampolining.

 

Participant Statistics

A total of 46 individual adult participants took part in at least one session.

 

Of these 46 participants 27 were deaf or hard of hearing and 19 were hearing.

 

Of the 27 deaf or hard of hearing participants 12 were male and 15 were female.

 

Of the 19 hearing participants 3 were male and 16 were female.

 

 

Pre-Project information

Before embarking on the project we asked 24 deaf and hard of hearing people which sports or health-based activities they had previously tried or that they currently took part in:

 

Walking 22 people

(including strolling, race walking)

 

Gym 17 people

 

Aerobic Exercise 15 people

(for example zumba, fitness exercises)

 

Cycling 15 people

 

Ball Over Net Games 14 people

(for example table tennis, tennis)

 

Mindful Exercise 14 people

(for example tai chi, yoga)

 

Home Exercise Workouts 12 people

 

Racket Sports 12 people

(for example badminton, squash)

 

Running 10 people

(including road running, cross country running)

 

Swimming 10 people

(including sea swimming)

 

Table Sports 10 people

(for example dominoes, scrabble, card games)

 

Bat and Ball Games 9 people

(for example cricket, rounders)

 

Golf 9 people

(including miniature golf or beach golf)

 

Members receiving some basic instruction prior to gameplay was always useful in helping to make sense of rules

 

Aquatic and Paddle Sports 8 people

(for example canoeing, kayaking, rowing)

 

Athletics 7 people

(including track and field)

 

Climbing 7 people

 

Cue Sports 7 people

(for example snooker, pool)

 

Football 7 people

 

Snow Sports 7 people

(including skiing, bobsleigh)

 

Archery 6 people

 

Catching Games 6 people

(for example dodgeball, frisbee)

 

Combat Sports 6 people

(for example martial arts, wrestling)

 

Darts 6 people

 

Stick and Ball Games 6 people

(for example hockey, lacrosse)

 

Ice Sports 5 people

(for example figure skating, ice hockey)

 

Sports Day Sports 5 people

(for example sack race, egg and spoon race)

 

Board Sports 4 people

(for example snow boarding, surfing)

 

Bowls Sports 4 people

(including curling)

 

Equestrian Sports 4 people

(sports using a horse)

 

Gymnastics 4 people

Orienteering 4 people

 

Team Ball Sports 4 people

(for example rugby)

 

Acrobatic Sports 3 people

(for example gymnastics, figure skating)

 

Basketball 3 people

 

Contact Sports 3 people

(for example boxing)

 

Diving 3 people

 

Sailing 2 people

 

Shooting Sports 2 people

(for example clay pigeon shooting, crossbow)

 

Strength Sports 2 people

(for example tug of war, callisthenics)

 

Weightlifting 2 people

 

Wind Sports 2 people

(for example kite flying, parachuting)

 

Fishing 1 person

 

Air Sports 0 people

(for example hang gliding, gliding, bungee jumping)

 

Handball 0 people

 

Motorised Sports 0 people

(using a car, bike or boat)

 

Aquatic and Paddle Sports 8 people

(for example canoeing, kayaking, rowing)

 

Athletics 7 people

(including track and field)

 

Climbing 7 people

 

Cue Sports 7 people

(for example snooker, pool)

 

Football 7 people

 

Snow Sports 7 people

(including skiing, bobsleigh)

 

Archery 6 people

 

Catching Games 6 people

(for example dodgeball, frisbee)

 

Combat Sports 6 people

(for example martial arts, wrestling)

 

Darts 6 people

 

Stick and Ball Games 6 people

(for example hockey, lacrosse)

 

Ice Sports 5 people

(for example figure skating, ice hockey)

 

Sports Day Sports 5 people

(for example sack race, egg and spoon race)

 

Board Sports 4 people

(for example snow boarding, surfing)

 

Bowls Sports 4 people

(including curling)

 

Equestrian Sports 4 people

(sports using a horse)

 

Gymnastics 4 people

Orienteering 4 people

 

Team Ball Sports 4 people

(for example rugby)

 

Acrobatic Sports 3 people

(for example gymnastics, figure skating)

 

Basketball 3 people

 

Contact Sports 3 people

(for example boxing)

 

Diving 3 people

 

Sailing 2 people

 

Shooting Sports 2 people

(for example clay pigeon shooting, crossbow)

 

Strength Sports 2 people

(for example tug of war, callisthenics)

 

Weightlifting 2 people

 

Wind Sports 2 people

(for example kite flying, parachuting)

 

Fishing 1 person

 

Air Sports 0 people

(for example hang gliding, gliding, bungee jumping)

 

Handball 0 people

 

Motorised Sports 0 people

(using a car, bike or boat)

 

From this list we noted that many of the sports that deaf and hard of hearing people had taken part in were activities that were suited to an individual rather than a team (for example walking, gym, cycling).

 

The exceptions to this were racket and ball over net games and the increased attendance of these might partially be down to deaf awareness: NE holding regular existing sessions of badminton and tennis prior to the DASH project.

 

Though many of the listed sports had been tried by fewer people than others, we noted that almost all the sports listed (with the exception of three) had been tried by at least one deaf or hard of hearing person at some point in time.

 

This gave significance to our findings of what deaf and hard of hearing people welcomed as adjustments for their better inclusion, as much of this information was broad and could be applied to most sporting settings.

 

In terms of who our group took part in sport or physical activity with we also observed a slight trend that aligned with deaf and hard of hearing people favouring individual rather than group activity.

 

Alone 16 people

 

With a Friend/Partner/Family Member 12 people

 

With an Organised or Officially Registered Club or Group 8 people

 

With a Casual Group 7 people

 

With a Support Worker 1 person

 

The trend of favouring individual rather than team activity was also notable in where our deaf and hard of hearing group said they preferred to take part in their sport and physical activity.

 

Outdoors 16 people

 

Indoors/At Home/Privately 8 people

 

Community Centre 7 people

 

Leisure Centre 6 people

 

Swimming Pool 5 people

 

At an official Club or Group premises 3 people

 

Private gym 3 people

 

School/College/University 2 people

 

Council Building 1 person

 

We also asked our 24 deaf and hard of hearing people how often they took part in sport or physical activity:

 

A few times a week 13 people

 

Every day 5 people

 

A few times a month 4 people

 

About once a week 2 people

 

Less than once a month 2 people

 

Once a month 1 person

 

While it does appear that deaf and hard of hearing people want to attend sport and physical activity with some regularity, the feeling of exclusion while participating does persist in places.

 

We asked the group if they ever felt left out by others, because of their deafness, before, during or after sport or physical activity? 

 

Sometimes 15 people

 

Always 4 people

 

Never 3 people

 

Rarely 2 people

 

The most popular answer to this question, that most deaf and hard of hearing people sometimes felt left out, coupled with the fact that four other people always felt left out, aligned very clearly with the reasons that our deaf and hard of hearing group gave for not participating in some sports.

 

The quotes below were gathered from BSL Deaf signers, hard of hearing people and deaf people.

 

‘I wouldn't put myself in a team sport knowing I'm unlikely to hear people calling out.’

 

‘Anxiety that I can’t hear instructions or miss things. I would love to do yoga but I'm not sure how with not being able to lipread instructor.’

 

‘Being hard of hearing I tend not to join lots of activities as it just becomes too difficult to communicate.’

 

‘It is hard to hear even with hearing aids when in a large hall where there are echoes.’

 

‘Group sessions where following detailed instruction is important. I have to feel comfortable within the group before I can participate.’

 

‘It excludes me from conversation with other group members because I cannot hear what they say.’

 

‘Very difficult to interact with groups.’

 

‘I had to stop doing yoga in a face-to-face live environment because I damaged one of my big toes and sprained my shoulder. As a newcomer to yoga, I’d spent most of the first few sessions having to twist my body to lipread/see demonstration of moves because I couldn’t hear. Caused unreasonable pressure on big toes (balancing) and also twisted my shoulder. Online instruction I find much easier to follow as I can hear through Bluetooth and can position the keyboard to suit where I’m exercising.’

 

‘My balance problems affect my ability to do some exercises.’

 

‘I'd like to learn to swim but because I can't hear without aids and I don't sign I'm excluded.’

 

‘I would prefer small group activity but hearing problems make this almost impossible.’

 

‘Being Deaf especially up north climbing my fave sport, so going alone and finding a partner is hard.’

 

‘Sports like running and cycling I go by myself, so I tend to feel less motivated.’

 

‘Watching sport (with subtitles) is another negative issue.’

 

Other reasons that our deaf and hard of hearing group gave for being reluctant to join sport or physical activity included ‘Dizziness’, ‘Noise’, ‘Lack of Deaf Awareness’ and ‘Being deaf blind and having physical issues.’

 

During the DASH project we included a range of support mechanisms to support the inclusion of deaf and hard of hearing people, and we then assessed the effectiveness or otherwise of these via feedback from our BSL Deaf signers, hard of hearing people and deafened people both during the project and at the close of the project.

 

The following paragraphs indicate the level of effectiveness of each.

 

Having written handouts and written information, including signage explaining where an activity was taking place, for instance in which room, and what time it was starting and finishing, was viewed as 81.5% important by our deaf and hard of hearing group. 

 

Receiving some basic written information ahead of our Archery session helped members know what to expect during gameplay

 

This strongly indicates that deaf and hard of hearing people prefer the communication at the point of accessing an activity to be as stress free and as uncomplicated as it can, along with an appreciation of having some written information on hand explaining anything pertinent to the content of the session, for instance any rules to follow, any safety issues to be aware of, or anything external that could potentially happen, for instance the likelihood of a fire alarm going off.

 

Having a sports coach, tutor or trainer who had a high level of deaf awareness was viewed at an average of 70.85% important by our group members, with 4 people rating the deaf awareness of the coach, tutor or trainer at 100% important and one person giving an importance rating of 99%.

 

This is a strong indication that deaf, hard of hearing and deafened people appreciate that a coach, tutor or trainer has taken time to consider their needs and that they have made practical steps to help inclusion, as well as being prepared to learn more about the communication and access needs of deaf and hard of hearing people.

 

Having a deaf aware skiing instructor for our visit to Silksworth Ski Slope was especially important to our members

 

Having other deaf people In attendance at a sport or physical activity session was given an average importance rating of 67.42% by our group, with two people regarding this as 100% important.

 

The trend seems to follow that having more deaf, hard of hearing and deaf people in attendance improves the likelihood that their access and communication needs will be better met, in a way that does not always follow if a deaf person turns up independently at a session populated only by other people who are hearing.

 

The use of Speech To Text Reporting was given an average importance rating of 64% by our group, with one person rating this at 100% and three others giving this a 90+% rating.

 

Speech To text Reporting was mainly used for lectures and detailed instruction giving and was less practical during actual sports gameplay. For those who did require Speech To Text Reporting it was an essential service to aid inclusion, with one person commenting, ‘because of the presence of the speech to text operator the other things were not important.’

 

 

The environment, room size and venue was given a 61% average importance rating from our group, with one person giving this a 100% importance rating and another person rating this at 90% important.

 

This suggests that an ill conceived or inaccessible environment plays a major part in whether a deaf or hard of hearing person will attend the venue and, also, whether they will stay there if environmental factors are not suitable for them.

 

Attending activity as part of a small group rather than a larger group was given a 61% importance rating by our group members, with one person giving this a 100% importance rating and another rating this at 98% important.

 

Time and again we heard from deaf and hard of hearing people about how they felt more excluded the bigger the group became, as more voices tended to lessen the effect of any communication strategy that was implemented to better include them.

 

Having a British Sign Language (BSL)/English Interpreter present at sessions was given a 45.2% importance rating by our group, with three people giving this an importance rating of 100% and one person giving this a 91% importance rating.

 

Though BSL/English Interpretation was not required by every deaf or hard of hearing person attending our sessions, for those who did require a BSL service, this service was essential for their full inclusion.

 

A British Sign Language/English Interpreter was essential to our group for accurate instruction given during our Canoeing session prior to the group venturing out onto the water

 

 

The use of a hearing induction loop at our sports and health-based activities was given a 21.9% importance rating by our members.

 

This relatively low percentage might be put down to many sports sessions being held outdoors or in big sports halls, rendering the use of the hearing induction loop relatively ineffective.

 

Those activities that did take place indoors or in smaller spaces were ordinarily supported by Speech To Text Reporting, which seemed by our members to be the more preferred communication strategy than that of relying on a hearing induction loop.

 

Accessing Live Transcribe via a mobile phone was given a 20.72% importance rating by our group, with one person rating this at 85% important.

 

Although this average importance rating appears to be relatively low within our group, this is likely because of the other communication support strategies taking preference (for example the presence of Speech To Text Reporting and British Sign Language Interpretation), along with the impracticalities of using a mobile phone during sports gameplay.

 

Also, culturally the use of Live Transcribe via mobile phones is not yet quite fixed into the consciousness of the general population and, as such, coaches, leaders and teachers may not have always been comfortable with this strategy for communicating with deaf and hard of hearing attendees.

 

Some of the additional comments from our group members strongly indicated the importance of advancing such generic deaf awareness to sports coaches, tutors and trainers, to help support improved inclusion.

 

‘If there is an instructor who is aware of peoples hearing impairment and has some deaf awareness then this makes the activity easier and takes some of the responsibility from the person with hearing impairment.’ 

 

‘It is helpful to have some deaf awareness in an organised group or class situation to fully benefit from the class.’

 

‘Useful if more people are aware of Deaf people and British Sign Language, to include us in sports and physical activities more often.’

 

The very visual nature of Carpet Bowls was welcomed by our deaf and hard of hearing members

 

 

At the conclusion of our project we asked our deaf and hard of hearing group how much did taking part in sports and health-based activities give them an improved sense of inclusion and the average rating for this was 73%.

 

Of the same group we asked how much did taking part in sport or physical activity give them an increased sense of being physically healthy and the average rating for this was 74%.

 

Finally, we asked the group how much taking part in sport or physical activity gives them an increased sense of mental wellbeing and the average rating for this was 73%.

 

There is little doubt that taking part in sport or physical activity is extremely beneficial for deaf and hard of hearing people and that, with some forethought given about how deaf and hard of hearing people might be included at a comparative level to their hearing peers, they will be far more likely to attend such sports sessions.

 
END OF REPORT