I WAS very concerned about the remarks made by the council social services officer John Hughes, when he stated that the department does provide adaptions for deaf people in their homes, and that deaf people have the same difficulties as other groups.

This really highlights the gross lack of understanding of the needs of deaf people.

The notion that deaf people are hearing people that can't hear is a total myth and it is this kind of attitude that prevents services to deaf people becoming equal to those of other services.

It is nowhere near enough to provide equipment or an interpreter. Deaf people have a way of life, a culture and a way of using language that is unique to deafness and it is this which makes providing services for this group harder and more expensive. I suspect this is the main reason no social worker has been in place for two years.

CHRIS GOULD

Tutor of deaf studies and sign language

Swindon College