Where Deaf British Sign Language (BSL) users who live across Wakefield District with a low income or receiving benefits can obtain free, confidential legal advice via a webcam with a broadband connection. Caseworkers are fluent in BSL, and provide specialist advice at Community Legal Services Specialist Quality Mark level. Advice is currently available in the areas of welfare benefits, employment, housing and debt.
Wakefield District Community Legal Advice Service/Wakefield District Citizens Advice Bureau is now an ‘Access Point’ for this service. We can now give clients who require this service access to a computer and webcam and appointments can be set up for them through us direct with the Royal Association for Deaf people.
This project is funded by Wakefield District Primary Care Trust and started at the beginning of February 2009. It is based at The Tieve Tara Medical Centre in Airedale, Ash Grove Medical Centre Knottingley, Rycroft Primary Care Centre Havercroft and The Grange Medical Centre in Hemsworth. This service is for patients of these medical centres. Clients can make appointments at their medical centres and also be referred by a medical practitioner.