14th September 2006
Stand to target politicians at autumn party conferences
Leading disability insurer, UnumProvident, has teamed up with RNID, the largest charity representing the UK's 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people, to launch the next phase of The Workplace of the Future (WotF) campaign, targeting both politicians and employers.
In an ongoing partnership now in its third year, RNID and UnumProvident have created a new Workplace of the Future stand.
This year the stand features a classic red phone box highlighting the availability of RNID’s five-minute telephone hearing check on 0845 600 5555*. There is also a high-tech interactive screen showing a virtual office, which is fully accessible to those with hearing loss. Features in the virtual office include examples of assistive technology such as flashing smoke alarms to alert deaf and hard of hearing people to an emergency.
This week, UnumProvident staff have had the first chance to see the stand at its Milton Court head office in Dorking before the Autumn party conferences of the Liberal Democrats, Labour and Conservative parties during the next three weeks. MPs from all three main parties have been invited to the stand to show their support when it visits their conference.
Dr John Low, Chief Executive RNID, said:
Hearing loss can have a profound impact on our lives leaving many of us isolated and struggling to cope, yet digital technology can transform lives for the better and reconnect people back into society. I urge those of you that think you might have some level of hearing loss to take RNID’s five-minute telephone hearing check on 0845 600 5555. If you do find you have a hearing loss many practical changes can be made to your working environment, including using an amplified telephone, or installing loop systems to help hearing aid users. These simple solutions will allow you to continue performing at your best and help you cope with your hearing loss.
Joanne Hindle, Corporate Services Director at UnumProvident, said:
No employer should underestimate the value disabled and older workers can bring to their businesses. If we are to derive maximum benefit from that talent pool, as well as using all the simple technologies that are readily available, it will be necessary to change the adverse stereotypical attitudes that many employers, and employees, have towards disability and ill-health in the workplace.
The telephone hearing check, available on the stand, is part of RNID’s innovative ‘Breaking the Sound Barrier’ campaign aims to reach out to the four million people in the UK who are losing their hearing, but doing nothing about it. A recent MORI survey shows that 46% of adults in Britain believe that embarrassment about not being able to hear prevents people with hearing difficulties discussing their problem with others, or having a hearing test.
Above: UnumProvident’s Chairman and Managing Director Susan Ring (left) and Corporate Services Director, Joanne Hindle, launching the stand.
ENDS
*Local rates apply.