BSL streaming platform, LumoTV’s new investigative docuseries Open Your Eyes is to air on Channel 4 this May, following its debut on the LumoTV platform.
Open Your Eyes: Maternity in Crisis airs on Channel 4 on 11th May 2026 and Open Your Eyes: The Battle for Education airs on Channel 4, 25th May 2026, respectively.
Open Your Eyes highlights the significant inequities many deaf people experience when accessing UK’s public services and the lack of accountability in providing service inclusion to address their family’s health needs or their child’s education support requirements. While centred on the experiences of deaf individuals, the series raises broader questions around informed consent, communication, and the safeguarding of fundamental rights.
It is produced by deaf-led independent TV production company, Flashing Lights Media alongside factual producer, Rare TV, and is led by deaf journalist Erika Jones, who has over a decade of experience in broadcast current affairs, having worked on a range of programmes including See Hear, Points West, Newsnight, and Countryfile. Alongside her broadcasting career, Jones has been an active screen industries trade union representative and is the lead researcher and co-author of one of the first reports for Birmingham City University focusing on the experiences of deaf professionals working behind the scenes in the industry.
Camilla Arnold, CEO of LumoTV comments: “Open Your Eyes is about more than just deaf experiences. It’s about universal rights, dignity, and being heard – issues that affect everyone, because they reveal how systems work, or fail, for those who need them most. If services are not accessible, safe, and accountable for deaf people, then they are not truly working for anyone.”
Emma Glassar, Creative Director at Flashing Lights Media says: “It’s concerning that deaf mothers are at the sharp end of maternity failings, especially when the whole system is clearly on its knees. Unfortunately, our investigation proves that this is indeed the case and signals a dire need for duty of care to be re-evaluated.”
Emma Barker, Director of Content at Rare TV adds: “We’re proud to be part of this important investigative series shining a light on the systemic failures in support in two key services. We believe storytelling has the power to drive real change, and this project brings urgent, often unheard experiences to the forefront. The series aims not only to expose gaps in provision, but to challenge institutions to do better.”
Lucy Warnes, CEO of SignHealth comments: “No one should go through pregnancy, childbirth or loss without understanding what is happening to them. For some, this has meant enduring traumatic maternity and emergency care without explanation or support. Accessible communication is not a ‘nice to have’. It is fundamental to safe, dignified healthcare. Until the NHS treats it as such, deaf patients and their babies will continue to pay the price with their health and wellbeing.”
Open Your Eyes: Maternity in Crisis airs on Channel 4 on 11 May 2026 and Open Your Eyes: The Battle for Education airs on Channel 4, 25 May 2026, respectively.
Jon Creamer
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