Ms Sonya Felton:

I believe consideration is being given to having an interpreter for people in the courtroom in order that they can understand what is going on. Obviously, there is a cost attached to this but it is one that would be valuable in providing greater equality in the legal system. Moreover, it is not just people who are deaf as often it would be stated automatically that a person with other kinds of disabilities did not need to come or they could telephone to say they do not wish to come. The culture has very much been that disability has excluded one or allowed one to get off jury duty.

I am not sure that is the culture we would want. Obviously, if people are unwell, sick or for whom it would be very difficult, we need a way for them to say "I cannot do this", but somebody should not be disregarded for jury duty simply on the basis of his or her disability.