What a Sign Language Interpreter on a Cruise Ship Taught Me About Accessibility
Recently, I was fortunate enough to enjoy a cruise holiday with my family. During the trip, I attended a presentation about diamonds in the ship's jewellery shop. The talk itself was fascinating, but something else immediately caught my attention.
Standing alongside the speaker was a sign language interpreter.
As the presentation delved into highly technical topics such as diamond grading, clarity, cut and certification, the interpreter signed confidently throughout, ensuring that Deaf guests had the same access to the information as everyone else in the room. As Director of Give Me Your Word, and someone who has worked in the interpreting and translation industry for many years, I found it genuinely inspiring to watch.
At the end of the presentation, I introduced myself to the interpreter. I wanted to learn more about her role and how the arrangement had been organised. During our conversation, I discovered that she was from Finland and was accompanying a group of Finnish Deaf guests on the cruise.
What surprised me even more was learning that her fees and travel expenses had been funded through Finland's publicly funded interpreter service provision.
It was a fascinating example of how communication support is viewed in different parts of the world. The experience prompted me to reflect on the role of British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters and a broader question about accessibility: should communication support be viewed only as a necessity for essential appointments, or as something that enables people to participate fully in every aspect of life, including travel, leisure and social activities?
A Different Perspective on Accessibility
When most people think about interpreting services, they often picture healthcare appointments, legal proceedings, educational settings or workplace meetings.
These are undoubtedly important situations where communication support is essential.
However, Finland's approach encourages a broader conversation about accessibility. Rather than viewing interpreting solely as a tool for accessing critical services, it raises questions about how Deaf and hard of hearing individuals can participate fully in all aspects of life.
Accessibility is not simply about removing barriers. It is also about creating equal opportunities for people to engage with the world around them.
Communication Access Extends Beyond Essential Services
Effective communication influences almost every aspect of daily life. It affects how people access information, build relationships, develop careers, navigate unfamiliar environments and participate in their communities.
Without appropriate communication support, Deaf individuals may face barriers in situations that hearing people often take for granted.
These include:
• Accessing healthcare services
• Participating in education and training
• Attending legal appointments
• Engaging in employment opportunities
• Taking part in cultural events
• Enjoying leisure and travel experiences
• Participating in community activities
This is why professional sign language interpreting services play such an important role in promoting equality and inclusion.
A Fascinating Example from Finland
One of the reasons this topic resonated so strongly with me was the conversation I had with the Finnish sign language interpreter on the cruise. Learning that she was accompanying Deaf travellers on a leisure holiday, supported through Finland's interpreter service provision, challenged some of the assumptions many of us have about when communication support is needed.
Through Kela, Finland's Social Insurance Institution, eligible individuals who already have the right to interpreter services may be able to receive communication support whilst travelling abroad. Importantly, this can include leisure travel and holiday trips, not just work or study-related journeys. Kela explains that interpreter services for travel abroad can apply when a trip is related to studies, work or leisure activities, including holiday trips and visits to friends or relatives. It can also cover situations where communication support is required during travel, such as guided excursions.
The service can generally be granted for trips lasting up to two weeks and the interpreting hours are taken from the individual's overall interpreting allocation.
For many readers in the UK, this approach may come as a surprise. It reflects a particularly broad understanding of accessibility and raises interesting questions about what full participation in society really means.
If communication support is considered important in education, employment and healthcare, should access to communication end when a person wants to travel, explore new places or enjoy a holiday?
The Valuable Work of BSL Interpreters
At Give Me Your Word, we have enormous respect for the work carried out by qualified BSL interpreters.
Interpreting is about far more than converting words from one language into another. Professional interpreters are highly skilled communication specialists who facilitate understanding between Deaf and hearing individuals.
BSL interpreters regularly demonstrate:
• Advanced linguistic skills
• Cultural awareness
• Professional impartiality
• Excellent judgement
• Strong ethical standards
• Accuracy and attention to detail
Their work supports effective communication across a wide variety of settings, including healthcare, education, legal environments, social services, workplaces and public events.
The contribution of professional BSL interpreters is often underestimated, yet it has a profound impact on the lives of those who rely on accessible communication every day.
What Can We Learn from International Approaches?
Every country approaches accessibility differently.
What makes Finland particularly interesting is the way its system encourages discussion about wider participation and communication rights.
While legislation, funding arrangements and eligibility criteria vary from one country to another, examples such as Finland challenge us to think differently about what genuine accessibility looks like.
Rather than focusing exclusively on essential services, they encourage broader conversations about independence, wellbeing and equal participation.
Supporting BSL Interpreting Across the UK
Give Me Your Word is proud to work with highly qualified BSL interpreters across the UK.
We regularly provide professional BSL interpreting services for:
• Healthcare appointments
• Legal and court settings
• Educational establishments
• Workplace meetings and training
• Local authority services
• Community and public events
Our aim is simple: to facilitate clear, accurate and professional communication whilst supporting accessibility and inclusion for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
We recognise the skill, professionalism and dedication required to work as a BSL interpreter, and we remain committed to supporting the profession wherever possible.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, what struck me most was that the interpreter was not there for a hospital appointment, a legal hearing or a workplace meeting. She was there to ensure that Deaf travellers could enjoy exactly the same holiday experience as everyone else, whether attending a presentation, taking part in excursions or simply engaging with the activities on board.
It was a powerful reminder that accessibility is not just about essential services. It is about enabling people to participate fully in all aspects of life.
Finland's approach offers a fascinating perspective on communication support and accessibility. While every country has its own systems and policies, the underlying principle remains universal: effective communication enables participation, independence and equal opportunity.
As language service professionals, we believe these conversations matter. They help highlight the value of professional BSL interpreters and the positive impact that communication access can have on people's lives.
At Give Me Your Word, we remain committed to supporting Deaf and hard of hearing individuals through access to experienced, qualified and professional BSL interpreters across the UK.
References
British Deaf Association (BDA)
European Union of the Deaf (EUD)
Kela - Interpreter Service for Travel Abroad
Kela - Interpreter Service for the Disabled
Kela - When Can You Get an Interpreter?
National Registers of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People (NRCPD)
SignHealth
World Federation of the Deaf (WFD)
