Making healthcare accessible for the deaf community
There are around 150,000 British Sign Language (BSL) users in the UK. For many deaf people, BSL is their first language, not English. Yet most healthcare information is still given to them in a language that they may not be comfortable with. This can result in missed appointments, misunderstood diagnoses and health inequities that are entirely preventable. At Blue Lozenge, we want to change that.
What is BL Interpreter?
BL Interpreter is our dedicated BSL interpretation and translation service for health and care organisations. We bring together healthcare communication expertise and specialist BSL capability to ensure deaf people can access health and social care information in their own language.
Accessibility-first campaigns and content
- We design campaigns with BSL from the start. Our team works with qualified Deaf translators to produce campaign content, public information videos and digital communications that are culturally accurate and meaningful for BSL users.
On-demand and scheduled interpreting
- We provide qualified BSL interpreters for online meetings, clinical appointments, conferences, and events, via Microsoft Teams, Zoom or in person. Our secure video portal requires no software downloads and works across any internet-enabled device.
Communications audits
- We review your existing communications to identify where Deaf and BSL-using patients may be excluded or underserved. We create clear, practical reports with recommendations to help your organisation meet its accessibility requirements and improve the experience of deaf people in the health and care system.
Our interpreters
- BL Interpreter offers access to qualified British Sign Language interpreters registered with the national governing body NRCPD. Our language professionals are DBS checked, with our BSL interpreter team also baseline security cleared, enabling them to work with the health and care system.
Who we work with
We support
- NHS trusts
- Integrated care boards (ICBs)
- Local government and councils Government
- Public sector health teams
