InterTIZNA

interTiZNA – Interpreting in einer Taub-inklusiven Zentralen Notaufnahme

People with disabilities have a right to "equal access to communication" and "free or affordable healthcare of the same range, quality, and standard [...] as other people [...]" (UN CRPD 2009). The approximately 200,000 sign language users in this country should therefore have access to German Sign Language (DGS), which has been recognized as an official language since 2002, as a permanent means of communication (BGG (§6 (1)) 2002). However, it has been proven on several occasions that this is not being adequately implemented, that those affected repeatedly encounter communication barriers, and that deafness as such affects access to healthcare (Höcker 2012; Cüre 2020; Pilot Intervention Study 2023; Rannefeld et al., 2023).

As part of the student research project "Barriers in everyday hospital life for deaf people – a pilot intervention study" (2023-2024), it was found that awareness-raising discussions about deafness and DGS can make a significant contribution to breaking down these communication barriers. Furthermore, it was found that the smooth treatment process was ensured in particular by the use of interpreters. The extent to which trained sign language interpreters and in-depth awareness-raising programs can now help improve access to healthcare, especially to the central emergency room (ZNA), was investigated in the interTiZNA project – "interpreting in a deaf-inclusive central emergency room."
It was found that awareness-raising work on the subject of deafness and DGS was very well received by healthcare workers and should be further expanded. Based on the reports of deaf and hearing interpreters for DGS and German, the need for a central interpreting service for acute situations became clear

Student research project

Research team:

Lara-Sophie Isernhagen

Alina Hinrichs

Jana Gmelin

Mentors:

Alexander Eisenzimmer

Britta Harms

Prof. Dr. Annika Herrmann

Andrea Schaffers

Duration:

2024 – 2025

Third-party funder:

University of Hamburg, funded by the UHH as part of the Excellence Strategy