Deaf social club is a no-go due to wrong fire alarms
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DEAF people claim they have been locked out of the "lifeline" Saturday evening social club they have been attending for 30 years - because NHS Highland has not yet managed to fit specially-adapted flashing fire alarms.
"Very disappointed" members of Inverness Deaf Club claim they have been unable to meet for six weeks after being told they would have to shift from their former city centre Kenneth Street building into a new site at Beechwood near Raigmore Hospital.
Deaf woman Libby Cameron said it felt like "discrimination".
NHS Highland said new flashing fire alarms would be installed "imminently", but some of the Deaf Club members say they resent how they have been treated.
Mother-of-two Jean Pentland claimed some of the older members "were close to tears" when they heard the news about the move and claimed the Beechwood base would be a kill-joy, believing their customary birthday parties would probably become a thing of the past as she claims alcohol is not allowed and thre are rules forbidding food unless it has been prepared by someone with a food hygiene certificate.
The former British Deaf Association North of Scotland advocacy worker, who lives at Ardersier said: "When we were told about this move to Beechwood some of our older members were close to tears. There’s a lot of older people who will just accept what they are being told but I’m stubborn. I won’t let this go because I know this will lead to a poor affect on members’ mental health. There are no proper fire alarms in the new premises which also houses an alcohol rehabilitation facility and there is a long list of rules for us now."
She also said many deaf people suffer from Ushers Syndrome which causes night blindness, potentially making the darker out-of-town site a no-go area in the wintertime.
NHS Highland insisted "it is not the case that the area is not safe" and that some members of The Deaf Club checked out access and lighting before they agreeing to the move.
But Mrs Pentland said: "The confidence among the deaf community has just gone after this. This is our lifeline, it is the heart of the deaf community."
Member Dawn Murray (31) from Inverness, said: "Kenneth Street was perfect for deaf people because there is special equipment there."
And Libby Cameron (34) claimed: "It’s been six weeks without a group and it’s totally discriminating for deaf people. I feel that we are confused and lost because there’s no date when we can restart."
A spokeswoman for NHS Highland said the Kenneth Street base was owned by Highland Council who needed it for another group.
She said: "Following meetings and discussion it was agreed that they move to the Sight Action office in Beechwood, which Sight Action have also agreed will be free of charge.
"New flashing fire alerts are to be installed imminently. Beechwood is close is a bus stop and has ample parking for those who do drive."
