Fórsa’s SNA branches have had early success with an initiative to include sign language interpretation in their video call information meetings. The initiative is designed to enhance the experience for SNAs from the deaf community.

Noreen O’Mahony chairs the union’s Munster SNA branch and explained the branch decided to include a sign language interpreter on their 1^st July meeting following a request from a member in Waterford.

“We decided to arrange a meeting specifically for SNAs from the Deaf community and we asked the chairs of all the SNA branches to inform members in their area about the meeting,” she said.

A total of 17 members attended, with a very positive response from participants, who have asked for the inclusion of a sign language interpreter at future meetings.

“While these members do receive email communications from us, they felt they missed out being able to ask questions and hear from fellow SNAs. I feel it would be a fantastic thing to keep on into the future and it worked really well, and brought together a group of SNAs from different areas,” said Noreen.

Fórsa’s head of education, Andy Pike, said the initiative showed how SNA branches continued to embrace innovations and new ways to reaching out to members during the Covid-19 crisis.

“Initiatives like this improve equality of access at union meetings, and shows how we can overcome the limitations of video calling and actually enhance the experience of members. All credit is due to those who made this happen, and I look forward to seeing this approach continue,” he said.

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