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<p>The ‘Market review of British Sign Language and communications provision for people
who are deaf or have hearing loss’ was a review of the present state of the market
for support that facilitates communication for people who are deaf, deaf-blind or
have hearing loss and those that need to engage with them.</p><p> </p><p>DWP worked
with a wide range of stakeholders to develop the review’s parameters and criteria.
These partners included other government departments; organisations that work for
and with people who are deaf, Deafblind or have a hearing loss; and individuals from
the communication and language professions. However, as was stated in the Report,
it was not within the scope of the review to make policy recommendations based on
the evidence received.</p><p> </p><p>The review aimed to look at provision in the
UK as a whole, covering all forms of language and communication support. Interested
organisations and individuals were publically invited to make a submission to the
review. As was explained in the report, DWP did not undertake field research during
the course of this work and the accuracy of information submitted during the review
has therefore not been further assured by the department.</p><p> </p><p>This report
published in July 2017 was a summary of the responses received. The report highlights
current available evidence relating to the areas under review, including relevant
published statistical data, and summarises common themes that were evident in the
wide range of submissions that were received.</p><p>The review was designed to be
a useful information resource, which would allow commissioners across both the public
and private sector to make more informed decisions. The review is also a resource
for policymakers. We have not assessed its impact across the public sector, but we
can say that findings from the review informed DWP’s decision to increase the Access
to Work Cap from £43,100 p.a. to £57,200 p.a. with effect from April 2018. Access
to Work is also increasingly supporting the use of video relay services to complement
support from face-to-face BSL Interpreters and allow for greater flexibility.</p><p>
</p><p>Recruitment levels among British Sign Language interpreters are influenced
by a range of market factors, including demand for their services in social and personal
situations, which DWP does not directly influence. However, DWP works closely and
on an ongoing basis with people who are deaf of or have hearing loss, as well as relevant
stakeholder groups, to ensure their needs are understood and that initiatives like
Access to Work help to meet those needs.</p>
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