Ben Bradshaw backs sign language celebration campaign

Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw, is one of many who have joined an online campaign this week, to celebrate British Sign Language (BSL).

The BSL Celebration Week Campaign run by Exeter Deaf Academy, SignUp BSL and Deafinite Interpreters hopes to get as many people as possible filming themselves signing their name.

The organisations have created a video guide to allow everyone to take part and all footage is shared over Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. The week’s events can be followed using the hashtag #loveBSL

The campaign has made the local radio news and other high-profile figures are supporting the campaign such as Matt and Caroline from the Heart Breakfast Show and Deaf lifestyle magazine, SL First, Editor Sarah Lawrence.

Ben Bradshaw, Exeter MP said: “It was fascinating and quick and easy to learn how to introduce myself in sign language to support Exeter Deaf Academy’s BSL Celebration Week. I encourage everyone to share the campaign online and have a go at learning to sign their name and record it in support of British Sign Language Celebration Week”.

There is still time for everyone to take part. All the information about the campaign, including the instructional videos can be found at www.exeterdeafacademy.ac.uk/bsl-celebration-week. It’s really easy to learn and footage can be filmed on any device; phone, webcam, camera etc.

This week marks eleven years since British Sign Language was recognised as an official British Language on 18 March 2003. Other activities across the UK included a Deaf lobby of Westminster on Monday, art projects by the students at Exeter Deaf Academy and a 200 year old mug depicting the BSL fingerspelling alphabet displayed at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum.