I READ a very interesting article in the Bolton Evening News by David Crookes, regarding NHS Direct, which said deaf people are now able to communicate with this service using their minicoms.

This is very good news, but I wonder if local taxi companies and the local Indian and Chinese take-aways will also take note.

Deaf people are unable to use any of these services except by using typtalk, a service that enables the deaf to communicate with hearing people, but is quite a long-winded affair.

All the deaf people I know use fax machines now in preference to minicoms because they are fast and much cheaper to use.

If these local companies would have a fax telephone, then deaf people would be able to order a taxi or a meal. I am sure it would increase turnover for these companies, as the cost of a fax telephone is around £100.

Ernest Pendlesbury

Timsbury Close

Bolton