A not-for-profit video production and communications enterprise, mainly run by deaf people, has opened its new UK headquarters in Barnsley.
Health Deafinitions will produce videos to explain health conditions, medical terms, routine tests and surgical procedures to deaf people. It will also be offering training and consultancy services to the sector.
“We aim to be a flagship for better methods of communication with deaf people in the NHS and across all health and social care providers,” explained managing director, Gohar Nisar.
“Our new headquarters means we now have the studio facilities in-house to step up production of our DVDs and videos which incorporate British Sign Language, 3D animation and graphics.
“And we have the office and meeting space we need to develop services and establish ourselves as pioneers – with our ambition to totally transform the health care experience of deaf people both regionally and nationally.”
The move to Goldthorpe’s Powerpark industrial estate is supported by the Regional Growth Fund and European-funded Enterprising Barnsley programme.
Of the 25 staff employed by the company, 21 are deaf.
“Our products are made by deaf people for deaf people. We are determined to tackle the complex factors which mean many deaf people lack the confidence and knowledge they need to understand and manage their own health and access health services effectively – we aim to offer ground-breaking solutions,” continued Nisar.
Many deaf people have problems reading written English very well, as they don’t use spoken English, which is why leaflets and online help can be confusing.
Going forward, it hopes to extend its training courses to doctors and develop a video call centre for deaf people with health concerns.
