RNID highlights availability of support for young hard of hearing

Date: 29th May 2008

The Royal National Institute for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People (RNID) has noted the possibility that young individuals who are hard of hearing may be able to obtain levels of support from their employer.

According to Ruth Pollard, audiology information officer for the RNID, employers could offer such employees a degree of flexibility, making reasonable adjustments that would allow them, for example, to take time off to attend lip reading classes.

Ms Pollard said: "attending lip-reading classes could be one of the reasonable adjustments made by employers - so the young person, if they are employed, could be given time off work to do the course."

Moreover, Ms Pollard also stressed that it may be possible for an employee who is hard of hearing to obtain financial support for the meeting of the costs of such a course.

With a history going back to 1911, the RNID is a UK-orientated charity representing the country's hard of hearing and deaf population.