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star this property human indexable true more like this
star this property published true more like this
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property answer date less than 2019-02-25more like thismore than 2019-02-25
star this property date less than 2019-02-11more like thismore than 2019-02-11
star this property date tabled less than 2019-02-11more like thismore than 2019-02-11
star this property ddp created less than 2019-02-11T22:05:45.963Zmore like thismore than 2019-02-11T22:05:45.963Z
star this property answering body
The Senior Deputy Speaker more like this
star this property question status Tabled more like this
star this property answering dept id 204 more like this
star this property answering dept short name
star this property answering dept sort name Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL) more like this
star this property ddp modified
remove filter
less than 2019-02-25T17:53:02.270Zmore like thismore than 2019-02-25T17:53:02.270Z
star this property hansard heading House of Lords: Disability more like this
star this property house id 2 more like this
star this property identifier HL13620 more like this
star this property legislature
25277
star this property pref label House of Lords more like this
star this property parliament number 57 more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2019-02-25T17:21:43.01Zmore like thismore than 2019-02-25T17:21:43.01Z
star this property question text To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker whether he is satisfied that the present arrangements in the Chamber and Committee Rooms meet the needs of those with hearing or visual impairments. more like this
star this property session
2017/19 (57) more like this
star this property session number 1 more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Lord Trefgarne more like this
star this property title House of Lords Tabled Parliamentary Question 2017/19 (57) HL13620 more like this
star this property type
WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
star this property uin HL13620 more like this
star this property version 1 more like this
star this property written parliamentary question type Ordinary more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property answer text <p>The House of Lords provides support for Members, staff and visitors to Parliament affected by hearing loss through the use of audio loop and infrared systems that help to amplify sound for hearing aid users. Loop systems are installed in the Chamber and all Committee rooms, with infrared systems additionally available within Committee rooms 1 to 4, 2A, 3A and the Moses Room. Handheld radio transmitters are also available to hearing-aid users when in the Chamber, to reduce interference from electrical equipment and improve the quality of sound provided by the audio loop.</p><p> </p><p>We are currently exploring options to provide an audio description service for Chamber and Committee proceedings. This will provide blind and partially sighted members, committee witnesses and members of the public with a voiced description of which member or witness is currently speaking, transmitted directly via an audio service. A feasibility study was commissioned in January 2019 and will report back later this year.</p><p> </p><p>Further microphones are due to be added to the Chamber this year, which will improve the quality of service provided to hearing aid users. A greater number of microphones situated closer to the people speaking minimises background noise and gives a cleaner sound on the audio which is sent directly to hearing aids via the loop system. The large number of microphones used in Committee meetings, whether automated or operated by an engineer, help to keep the sound clear and maximise the quality of sound experienced by hearing aid users.</p><p> </p><p>For those with hearing impairments which do not require the use of a hearing aid, overall audibility in Committee Rooms 2A, 3A and 4A is generally good. In Committee rooms 1 to 4, however, factors such as high ceilings and furniture arrangements mean that the current acoustic set-up is sub-optimal. A facilities upgrade is currently being trialled in House of Commons Committee Room 6 and, subject to approval, House of Lords Committee rooms will also benefit from these improvements in due course. There are also plans to replace the speakers embedded in the benches within the Chamber next year, which should deliver improvements to general levels of audibility.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The business of the House is of course dependent upon Members, staff and visitors such as committee witnesses being able to hear and be heard, although the capacity to deliver improvements can sometimes be limited by the nature of operations in a building with heritage restrictions. Equality Impact Assessments will be carried out as part of the Restoration and Renewal process, during which extensive works are likely to offer the potential for further improvements to facilities. In the interim, the Director of Facilities would be happy to speak to any member with specific suggestions for improvement.</p>
star this property question first answered
less than 2019-02-25T17:21:43.01Zmore like thismore than 2019-02-25T17:21:43.01Z
unstar this property answering member 4148
star this property creator
1813
star this property label Biography information for Lord Trefgarne more like this
star this property publisher
25277
star this property pref label House of Lords more like this
unstar this property tabling member
1813
unstar this property label Biography information for Lord Trefgarne more like this