- Conference
- 2022 National Disabled Members' Conference
- Date
- 8 July 2022
- Decision
- Carried as Amended
Conference notes that drug and alcohol addiction can happen to anyone. Disabled and Deaf people can also become addicted to drugs and alcohol. However, for many Deaf people who become addicted, there is nowhere to turn for help. The services that exist are already overstretched and underfunded, but added to this they are very unlikely to be accessible to Deaf people.
Those services and charities that do exist often don’t provide information in British Sign Language and don’t offer counselling or other interventions in BSL
This leaves many Deaf people to struggle alone with their addiction. This can of course have a knock-on impact on their working life, whether through sickness absence, performance issues or disciplinary action.
Conference therefore calls on the National Disabled Members Committee to:
1. Campaign for increased funding for accessible drug and alcohol addiction services
2. Raise awareness of the impact of addiction in the workplace, review existing guidance and consider whether there is scope for further resources for our stewards who may be supporting Deaf and disabled members experiencing drug and alcohol addiction.