The Rainbow Fund’s Independent Grants Panel has agreed to fund a package of measures to support deaf people to attend Pride events this year.
The bid, submitted by the LGBT Community Safety Forum Accessibility Matters group will, for the first time make Brighton Pride fully accessible to LGBT people with hearing loss.
A £3,000 Rainbow Fund grant will pay for a programme of signed performances and services around the park and parade with British Sign Language interpreters forming part of a wider package of support co-ordinated by Accessibility Matters.
The BSL interpreters are highly skilled (level 6) and are a vital part of the service Accessibility Matters will deliver on the day to older people, disabled people and deaf people.
Billie Lewis, Chair of the Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum, said: “We consulted with the deaf community in the city earlier this year and they were adamant that access for deaf people to Pride had been problematic or non-existent in the past.
“We listened and developed a plan to facilitate the delivery of a service that would empower the LGBT deaf community not only to access Pride but to feel connected to the wider community and the groups and services offered within it.
“Through the generosity of the Rainbow Fund, The LGBT Safety Forum and leaders of the deaf community are delighted that it is possible for the deaf members of our community to have proper access to participate in Brighton Pride 2014”.
Paul Elgood, Rainbow Fund chairman added: “The Rainbow Fund’s Independent Grants Panel unanimously supported this proposal to extend access at the Pride event. Pride themselves have a huge task in organising this national event and cannot be expected to do everything themselves. This kind of innovative project can help every single person access Pride and ensure that all are included regardless.
“This is a fantastic project for us to help support the LGBT deaf community to attend Pride, and try to help ensure that all feel included.
“We are proud that the Rainbow Fund can help use the money donated to it by the community for such an exciting piece of work, which underlines our total commitment to equality for all.”
“All grant funding decisions are decided by the Rainbow Fund’s Independent Grants Panel, which has an open appointment process in terms of new members. The money for this grant was raised during the year by groups, venues and events put on in aid of the Rainbow Fund and we are grateful to all of our supporters who have helped to make grants such as this possible.”
To view Accessibility Matters access video for deaf people, CLICK HERE:
For more information about Rainbow Fund, CLICK HERE:
For more information about Brighton & Hove, LGBT Community Safety Forum, CLICK HERE:
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