Smart Energy GB and Action on Hearing Loss team up to provide tailored information for deaf and hearing-impaired people

Smart Energy GB and Action on Hearing Loss have joined forces in a new partnership to help people with hearing loss to access information on the benefits that smart meters bring.

The partnership with Action on Hearing Loss has already facilitated specialised content for the organisation's 50,000+ members and supporters. Smart meter information and resources have been published across the Action on Hearing Loss website and newsletters, including videos using subtitles and British Sign Language. There will also be a number of outreach events and specialised advice available at Action on Hearing Loss service centres, as well as information in the organisation's membership magazine.

As the modern alternative to old-fashioned energy meters, smart meters could be particularly helpful for people with hearing loss because the new meters are designed to communicate automatically. Not needing to submit meter readings or contact your energy supplier about confusing estimated bills is a great perk, but this could make a particularly big difference for people who face challenges in communicating with their energy supplier via the usual channels.

In addition, people using smart prepay won't only have the option of taking a key or card to the shops to top up their energy credit. Smart prepay makes life much easier by giving people the option of topping up from the comfort of their home, via an app or online.

Sacha Deshmukh, chief Executive of Smart Energy GB, said:

"Smart meters provide immediate benefits to every household across Great Britain, but the role they play in communicating automatically with your energy supplier could be particularly significant for people with hearing loss.

"Smart Energy GB's nationwide campaign is designed to reach everyone, so we are committed to ensuring every group has the opportunity to learn about smart meters and how the new technology could change the way they manage energy at home.

By working with Action on Hearing Loss, the country's leading charity for people living with deafness, tinnitus and hearing loss, we can deliver advice and information in an accessible format to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to upgrade to a smart meter."

David Steadman, Executive Director of Engagement, Action on Hearing Loss said:

"We welcome Smart Energy GB's commitment to ensuring that people who are deaf or have hearing loss have equal access to as accurate and up to date information on the modern way to manage household energy as their hearing peers."

The partnership with Action on Hearing Loss commenced on the 21s^t August 2018 and follows previous successful partnerships with Age UK, The National Housing Federation and The Royal Horticultural Society.

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About Smart Energy GB

Smart Energy GB is the voice of the smart meter rollout. It’s our task to help everyone in Great Britain understand smart meters, the national rollout and how to use their new meters to get their gas and electricity under control. Our national campaign is reaching households and microbusinesses in England, Scotland and Wales.

About smart meters and the rollout

Smart meters replace the traditional meters we currently have in our homes. They enable accurate bills, near real time information on energy use in pounds and pence, and greater control over the way we buy and use energy. The smart meter rollout is an essential technology upgrade, unprecedented in its scale, to improve Great Britain’s energy infrastructure.

There are already over 12 million smart meters installed in homes and microbusinesses across Great Britain. Every household in England, Scotland and Wales will be offered one at no additional cost. Contact your energy supplier about getting your free smart meter.

Smart Energy GB media contacts

For more information including interview requests, case studies of smart meter users, infographics, photography and video content please contact the Smart Energy GB media team:

[email protected]; 0203 019 1056