Limited use for a Deaf Person

[Maryj12]

I have completed the couch to 5k, great app, helped me to get fit, and thoroughly enjoyed all 9 weeks! I have a few friends that are Profoundly Deaf and would love to follow the plan, its such a shame that the app doesnt have a vibrate mode to let you know when to run when to walk, someone missed something here is the design of the app.........

[beatricerose Graduate]

It is a shame! I think some running watches like garmin beep and also vibrate and you can program custom runs into them I believe? Other than that just setting timers on a phone is probably the way round it, but it would be quite fiddly!

[Pinguette Graduate]

To be honest, I didn't use the podcasts at all as I prefer to listen to the countryside as I live in deepest Devon! I took a stopwatch out with me and used that for the intervals; it's not difficult to remember each session or your friends could write each one on their hands (with non-permanent ink!!) as they go out.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Food for thought there.. well done you anyway!!!!! I think my old ipod had a programme on it that vibrated with timings... but not sure..!

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

My Garmin 220 can be programmed for intervals and vibrates as well as bleeps - perhaps something like that?

[boogie991 Graduate]

I have the same Garmin as Ully which would be ideal with the vibration capability.

[rniduserresearch]

Hi everyone! I saw your post and I am aware that a lot of time passed since then. But I still wanted to draw your attention to a survey we are currently running. It is about how we can improve the accessibility of the NHS Couch to 5K app for people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus.

With "we" I mean the Departement of Health and Social Care and RNID (we support people who are deaf, have hearing loss and tinnitus).

Maybe you can share it with your friends who are profoundly deaf. They don't need to have used the NHS Couch to 5K app to take part. We are interested in their general opinion and experience with running or starting to run. The feedback will influence the decisions how to design the app, so it becomes more inclusive and accessible in the future!

That's the link to our website with more information and the survey: rnid.org.uk/2023/04/making-...

Or directly to the survey: surveymonkey.co.uk/r/TV22VSQ

Thanks everyone! And if you have any more thoughts or questions, please drop me a message!