When silence isn’t golden: Accessibility in laboratories
Deaf people are a diverse group, from hard-of-hearing to profoundly deaf, and they use a range of communication methods, including British Sign Language (BSL), lipreading, and Signed Supported English.
Here, I use “deaf” to include all people with hearing loss, rather than “Deaf,” which refers to a culturally and linguistically defined community. Laboratories are often designed with hearing in mind, creating barriers that can make communication, safety, and participation challenging.
From my experience as a profoundly deaf biomedical scientist, verbal instructions, sound-only alarms, and fast-paced discussions can create real barriers. Simple adaptations, like visual alerts, written instructions, and inclusive communication, benefit deaf scientists and improve safety, efficiency, and teamwork for everyone in the lab.
Lab Accessibility Challenges for Deaf Scientists
Reducing noise
Labs are very noisy, with analysers running, audible alarms, fans, and ventilation systems, making it difficult for deaf and hard-of-hearing staff to distinguish sounds or block out noise.
This can also be overwhelming for some autistic scientists. Options to accommodate deaf scientists include visual alarms that differentiate issues and moving noisy equipment to soundproofed rooms where possible, which, admittedly, is not always feasible in some NHS labs.
Alarms
Many labs lack visual flashing fire alarms. This means deaf staff cannot work alone as pagers are not always available. Dual fire alarm systems (sound and visual) or mobile phone apps could help, though apps cannot differentiate between other alarms.
Visual fire alarms reassure staff, keep us independent, reduce reliance on others, and enable deaf scientists to work safely and contribute effectively.
Shifts and working patterns
Some laboratories restrict deaf staff from working certain shifts (e.g., night shifts) due to telephone work and Health and Safety considerations, limiting effective utilisation.
For example, a “buddy system” exists where Band 3/4 staff support deaf scientists with telephone work. Video relay interpreters or text relay cannot be used because of patient confidentiality and GDPR. Ideally, a secure web chat would allow deaf employees to manage results or advise independently.
Some deaf or hard-of-hearing people turn off hearing aids or cochlear implants to get relief from overwhelming noise. This provides temporary relief but increases the risk of missing verbal instructions, alarms, or discussions, while adding cognitive load and fatigue.
Flexible breaks or quiet spaces are essential for recharging and maintaining focus.
Accessibility Considerations for Training/Meetings and Communication
Using interpreters
There are a lot of things that should be considered by line managers when making accommodations for meetings. For exmaple if a laboratory is using sign language interpreters and lip-speakers, then they should be fully qualified and registered with recognised bodies, including:
- National Register of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People (NRCPD)
- Scottish Register of Lipspeakers and Communication Professionals (SRLPDC)
Where possible, live captioning should be considered, but automated captions are unreliable for some technical topics. Another option is to hire a palantypist through NRCPD, which ensures accurate, live text.
Coming prepared
Before meetings, topic lists or scripts of talks should be shared in advance, especially when scientific or technical terms are used. This would be helpful to both deaf and hearing colleagues, as it prevents time from being wasted at the start of meetings and ensures all attendees are prepared.
Training or meeting materials should be provided in advance. Deaf and hard-of-hearing scientists should have the option to ask questions in advance or to receive one-to-one sessions to ensure full understanding.
Understanding fatigue
Hard-of-hearing and deaf scientists may struggle with long sessions due to the extra effort required to lipread, use BSL, or process spoken/written information.
During my Biomedical Sciences degree, I could lipread effectively for about 15 minutes nonstop before fatigue set in, and consequently missed important information during longer sessions. Continuous comprehension of complex material can be mentally taxing.
Strategies to reduce fatigue include keeping on topic, providing paper copies of slides, offering notetakers if required, scheduling regular breaks, and checking in to confirm understanding.
Some deaf people have BSL as their first language, which can make written English more challenging.
Not all deaf scientists with English as a first language are fully proficient; rephrasing, clarification, or extra time may be needed to grasp technical content.
Inclusive Laboratory Culture
Laboratories seeking to become more inclusive of deaf colleagues should offer basic sign language or deaf awareness training for staff, if needed. Leadership should encourage colleagues to check that communication methods work for everyone and be mindful of fatigue when repeating instructions. Don’t say “Never mind” or “It wasn’t important” when it is important and relevant to our work.
It is also important to acknowledge the diversity of needs within the deaf/HOH population, including neurodivergent or additional sensory challenges, so labs can plan inclusive approaches. Alongside physical adaptations and training, systemic support from schemes like Access to Work is vital to ensure deaf scientists can perform their roles effectively.
Access to Work – Current Challenges1
Access to Work can help cover the cost of workplace adjustments, including lip-speakers, BSL interpreters, equipment, and so on, but the scheme is currently undergoing drastic changes.
Recent caps and budget reductions are having a detrimental impact on deaf employees. Removal of key contact emails, constant shifting of rules and delays adds further stress and anxiety, making it harder for disabled staff to secure the support they need.
As a result, line managers need to be proactive: they should understand the Access to Work process, advocate for their deaf employees, and support applications or liaise with caseworkers when necessary.
Research shows this reduces the ‘deaf burden/load’, the extra administrative workload on employees, which otherwise takes time away from their work and can negatively affect mental health due to ongoing barriers within Access to Work.
Conclusion
Creating truly inclusive laboratories requires more than equipment and visual alerts; it depends on awareness, proactive support, and flexible practices that respect the diverse communication needs of deaf biomedical scientists. Combining practical adaptations with an inclusive culture ensures safety, efficiency, and full participation for everyone.
