Points to be considered

1. Access to Public Health Information
   
   At the onset of the pandemic, Deaf ISL users were frequently excluded from essential public health
   updates. Government briefings were either not provided in ISL or interpreters were displayed in small
   windows at the bottom of a screen. This conflicts with Article 9 and Article 21 of the UNCRPD, which
   obliges states to ensure access to public information in accessible formats, including sign languages.
   Further, Article 11 explicitly requires States to take all necessary measures to ensure the protection and
   safety of persons with disabilities in situations of risk, including public health emergencies. The failure to
   provide timely and accessible health information in ISL during COVID-19 placed Deaf individuals at
   disproportionate risk by excluding them from life-saving guidance. Additionally, Section 5 of the ISL Act
   2017 requires public bodies to provide their services and information through ISL. States also have
   obligations under the Public Sector Duty to eliminate discrimination and promote of equality.
   Although the government eventually introduced ISL interpreters in some broadcasts, the absence of
   early and effective communication in ISL put Deaf people at greater risk and prevented full participation
   in public health measures.
2. Access to Healthcare
   Deaf ISL users encountered multiple barriers to healthcare during the pandemic. Many healthcare
   services including GP consultations, consultant consultations and outpatient appoints were being
   conducted via telephone. This excluded Deaf people and added barriers to access in a time of crisis.
   Also, mask-wearing eliminated the possibility of reading facial expressions and lip patterns, critical
   aspects of language and communication. These experiences violate Article 25 of the UNCRPD, requiring
   that persons with disabilities receive health care on an equal basis with others. Access to State
   healthcare via ISL interpretation is also covered under the ISL Act 2017 and the Public Sector Duty,
   however the State failed to uphold these completely. Such failures not only jeopardised Deaf people’s
   access to care but also risked misdiagnosis, mistreatment and delays in urgent situations.
3. Social Isolation and Mental Health
   The social distancing measures and lockdowns, while necessary for public health, disproportionately
   impacted Deaf individuals. Many relied on face-to-face communication, which was disrupted by mask-
   wearing and physical distancing. Elderly Deaf people in particular were isolated from both Deaf and
   hearing communities due to limited access to technology. Mental health supports, including helplines,
   were generally not accessible to Deaf people. This conflicts with Article 25 of the UNCRPD, which
   guarantees equal access to health care. Very few mental health professionals are fluent in ISL, and the
   absence of culturally and linguistically appropriate services left many without support during a time of
   crisis.
   Research conducted in 2022(1) on mental health service provision during the COVID-19 pandemic and
   Deaf ISL users revealed that while participants generally rated their mental health as good or very good
   prior to the pandemic, this changed significantly during the COVID-19 crisis. Many described their
   mental health at that time as fair or poor, indicating a clear decline in wellbeing. Mandatory mask wearing and lack of information in ISL were major negative influences on mental health along with
   lockdown restrictions and social isolation. Just 21% accessed formal mental health services during the
   pandemic, and of those, over half reported that the services were not useful for reasons including lack
   of ISL interpreters, inaccessible or culturally inappropriate services and reliance on text communication,
   which can be difficult as English is not the first language of the Irish Deaf community.
4. Evaluation of the Government Response
   There were some positive developments in terms of government response to the needs of Deaf people
   in the COVID-19 pandemic such as the introduction of ISL interpreters at some government press
   briefings, however it was far from sufficient. Also, ISL interpreters were rightfully designated as essential
   workers. However, these came after significant advocacy and pressure from the Deaf community. The
   initial lack of ISL provision suggests that the State did not adequately anticipate or plan for the needs of
   linguistic minorities despite their obligations under the UNCRPD, the ISL Act, and the Public Sector Duty.
   There was also little evidence of structured consultation with Deaf organisations in the planning and
   implementation of emergency communication strategies, which breaches Article 4.3 of the UNCRPD,
   requiring involvement of persons with disabilities in decisions affecting them.
5. Recommendations
   IDS make the following recommendations for any future public health emergencies based on the
   experiences of our members during the COVID-19 pandemic:

1. Guaranteed and highly-visible ISL interpreting: All government communications should feature
   clearly visible ISL interpreters on all platforms (TV, online and social media), in full compliance
   with the ISL Act 2017, UNCRPD and Public Sector Duty.
2. Accessible health services: Healthcare, including mental health and social services must provide
   access to ISL interpretation in both virtual and physical settings.
3. Inclusive emergency planning: Establish formal mechanisms to include Deaf organisations in
   national emergency and crisis planning, fulfilling Article 11 and 4.3 of the UNCRPD.
4. Awareness and training: Ensure all public bodies understand their duties under the ISL Act 2017
   and Public Sector Duty and that they receive Deaf Awareness Training, provided by IDS.
   
   Conclusion
   The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and deepened already existing inequalities experienced by Deaf ISL
   users. While some progress was made during the crisis, the Irish Government’s response often fell far
   short of its national and international obligations. Going forward, a rights-based and inclusive approach
   must be embedded in all public policy, crisis communication, and service delivery, not only to comply
   with legal duties, but to uphold the dignity, safety, and full participation of the Deaf community.
   
   Supporting Documents
   IDS Strategic Plan 2023-2026: https://irishdeafsoc.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/IDSStrategy-2023-2026-Web-Download-1.pdf (1)McAra, R. (2022) An Unheard Voice; Mental Health Service Provision and Irish Sign Language Users During the Covid-19 Crisis. Masters thesis (unpublished).  
   
   For more information on any of the above, please contact ceo@irishdeafsociety.ie.