Shopping and travelling

Newly deafened people may find shopping and travelling alone quite a challenge. If there are problems it may be difficult to ask a stranger, who may not know that you are deaf, for help. It is important to watch out for visual information.

Shopping in the supermarket may not pose many problems as goods are clearly displayed and the total sum due can always been seen on the till. Some supermarkets identify specific checkouts as being suitable for people who are deafened or hard of hearing. This means that there is likely to be a loop installed for use with the T-switch on a hearing aid, the display on the till is large and easily read and the operator is trained to be easy to understand by lip-reading.

Transactions that require some communication with the shop assistant are more problematic. This may happen where there is an element of choice affecting style, quality or price, like buying a pair of shoes, going to the greengrocer or, in a supermarket, the delicatessen counter. If you are in small shops, you may be able to get to know the proprietor or manager. It is wise to make it clear at the outset that you are deaf and will not understand unless the assistant looks at you and speaks clearly. You need to try very hard to make sure that your choice of goods is not restricted because your deafness makes it easier to just put the first item in the trolley without having to speak to anybody.

Several large supermarket chains operate a home delivery system where you place your order from your computer via the internet and pay by credit or debit card. The main purpose of these systems is to attract shoppers who don't have the time to visit the store, but they also mean that deaf customers don't have to engage in any spoken conversation.

All service providers must now meet obligations under the DDA, which includes making reasonable adjustments for deafened people.

Travelling can also be difficult. Many deafened people have a lot of stories about finishing up at destinations other than the one intended through boarding the wrong train or bus. It is important to use your eyes and check all the indicators and visual information systems. However, it is also useful to watch your fellow passengers - if you are waiting on the platform and everyone leaves for another platform the best plan is to ask the station staff or another passenger what is happening. If you explain that you are deaf and do not hear the public address system most people will relay messages and help you to find the right train or bus.

If you use a train station regularly, you may find that there are particular locations on the platform where the audio announcements are clearer than at others.

On-train announcements seem to suffer from particular problems of inaudibility. You may need to ask fellow passengers, or staff from the Train Operating Company (TOC), who should be in uniform and readily available, to explain what is happening. The most modern trains have visual displays indicating the final destination, the next stop and the length of time until the stop is reached.

Tickets can be purchased at manned stations, where information is also available on prices and travel restrictions. There should always be at least one booth with the "deaf aware" symbol, meaning a loop is installed. As with any loop, you may have to remind the operator to turn it on. An internet based company, Trainline exists to buy tickets on line. National Rail Enquiries, owned by a consortium of TOCs, operates a website and telephone enquiry line providing information about train times and service alterations. They can transfer you, by computer or telephone, to an authorised retailer who will sell you a ticket. See Factsheet 1 for addresses, telephone numbers and websites.

In general, rail tickets are available for use on the services of any TOC, but sometimes a particular company will make a special offer, sometimes in association with a particular promotion, and the ticket is only available on that company's services.

If you are registered with your local authority as being deafened, or if you receive the care component, middle or upper band, of Disability Living Allowance, you are entitled to a Disabled Person's Railcard. This allows you and one companion to a discount of one third on the price of most single and return rail fares, but not on all special offers.

Registration with the local authority or receipt of DLA may also entitle you to concessionary or free travel on buses.

Car driving should not be particularly difficult for the deaf driver, although it can be frustrating, not being able to hear the engine or communicate with passengers. A driver can't lip-read. It is important to make good use of all your mirrors as any good driver should. Installation of a loop system in a car is possible, giving more opportunity for a deaf driver to hear what is being said through a hearing aid or cochlear implant.

One great fear of all deaf drivers is suffering a mechanical failure and being unable to summon help. On the hard shoulder on a motorway, or on other high speed roads where parking is restricted, simply stop, off the carriageway if possible, and turn on the hazard warning lights. If there is a CCTV link to a control room, you will be noticed very quickly and a police car despatched to find out what is wrong. If there is no CCTV, you may have to wait until the next police patrol comes past. Emergency roadside telephones which incorporate a text facility are being installed throughout the country on motorways and major trunk roads. Some motoring breakdown organisations can now be contacted by texting from a mobile phone if you are deaf and are a member. The number to call is 07900 444 999 for the AA and 07855 82 82 82 for the RAC.

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