Deaf people will be now able to serve on juries in the UK & Wales

A new law will permit British Sign Language interpreters inside England and Wales jury rooms.

Pauline Latchem was rejected from jury service when she asked for a sign language interpreter. She told inews:

“I think it is about time. Deaf people have been marginalised and excluded from community involvement and public duty for far too long. Far too often deaf people are expected to argue for or resolve issues of access for themselves, which can be lonely, demoralising and physically and emotionally exhausting. Changes like this benefit everyone, not just deaf people, but they lead to a more inclusive society for deaf, deafened people and those experiencing age-related hearing loss. Changes like this benefit everyone, not just deaf people, but they lead to a more inclusive society for deaf, deafened people and those experiencing age-related hearing loss.”

inews has more here.