deaf

Devon County Show to introduce signing for the first time

As part of its commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, Devon County Show is to introduce British Sign Language (BSL) to cater to the Deaf Community on Thursday 16th May - the first day of the 2024 show.

Two BSL interpreters will sign in tandem with commentaries for events across both the Main Arena and the Countryside (Phil Greed) Arena.

The signing in the main arena will take place from the dedicated disability platform. The signing in the Countryside Arena will take place to the side of the commentary box and an area will be cordoned off in front of the...

Deaf customers get British Sign Language interpreter at Jurassic Fibre customer service centre

Authored by Program
Posted: Mon, 03/27/2023 - 7:14pm

Deaf customers who use British Sign Language (BSL) are now able to use a video link interpreter when they contact the customer service centre for broadband provider Jurassic Fibre.

The company, which is rolling out an ambitious programme of ultra-fast broadband connection to homes across the South West, has introduced the innovative service via Sign Solutions, providing InterpretersLive! via the App or website.

Sarah Howells, Chief Customer Officer from Jurassic Fibre, said: “People are at the heart of everything we do at Jurassic Fibre. Our business is to connect...

Just one in 25 of teachers in South West thinks the current education system fully supports deaf children 

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 10/12/2022 - 7:45pm

Just one in 25 of teachers in the South West of England think the current education system allows deaf children to hit their full potential, a new survey from the National Deaf Children’s Society reveals.

The poll, of around 5,700 primary and secondary school teachers from across England, released today, found around six in ten teachers in the South West believe deaf children will continue to underachieve at school without changes to the current system.

Even though deafness is not a learning disability, deaf children already achieve less than their hearing classmates at...

Teachers and experts join forces for major new research network to support Deaf children’s achievement at school

Teachers, researchers and British Sign Language interpreters have joined forces for a major new research network which will seek to understand why Deaf pupils are more likely to underperform at school.

Educators and academics hope their collaboration will support new teaching approaches and boost children’s wellbeing and language development.

The partnership, between the University of Exeter, the Deaf Academy in Exmouth in Devon and the University of Central Lancashire, will allow those involved to share theory and practice.

Most Deaf children are educated in...

Boots, hearing test

Brits could be enduring unchecked hearing loss, here are the signs you need to look out for that could show someone you love is missing out 

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Mon, 02/08/2021 - 2:54pm

Boots Hearingcare , the leading private hearing care provider in the UK, is calling on Brits to improve the quality of their life, with the business estimating that as many as FOUR MILLION people are enduring the early signs of hearing loss unnecessarily.

An early 2020 study showed that there were 11 million people with hearing loss in the UK - a number that is estimated to grow to 14.2 million by 2035 - while approximately 8.8 million of that figure already are seeking support and help, either through the public or private sector.

RNID - the national hearing loss charity...

Deaf Awareness Week sees free sign language classes launched for thousands of families

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Fri, 05/08/2020 - 12:54pm

Families across England will get the chance to learn British Sign Language in the comfort of their own homes with free online classes launched today (Friday, May 8th).

The series of classes will be run by the National Deaf Children’s Society every Friday for 12 weeks as part of its Family Sign Language programme. The date was picked to mark Deaf Awareness Week (May 4th-8th).

Each class will cover a different topic, including vocabulary and conversation related to family life so parents and children can learn together.

Classes are running in England, Wales,...

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Your Questions Answered

Authored by ClaireRowe
Posted: Tue, 05/05/2020 - 8:40pm

Are you classed as extremely vulnerable and at risk to the coronavirus? Do you have a long-term health condition or disability? Are you part of the Deaf community? Do you use British Sign Language? If you are struggling to get the information you need, or need more help to live your day to day life independently, charity Living Options Devon is offering free support and advice with its confidential listening service, Time to Talk.

Living Options Devon is a disabled persons’ user led organisation - run by, and for, disabled people and Deaf people. The charity has gathered together...

Seaton Wetlands

British Sign Language tours introduced at two top Devon heritage attractions

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 10/31/2019 - 9:04pm

Seaton Tramway and Lundy Island, two very different and unique heritage attractions in Devon, have now introduced special tours aimed explicitly at Deaf British Sign Language (BSL) users.

The new filmed tours feature a BSL signer, to help BSL users get a better understanding of the information presented at both attractions, and help them feel engaged with the history of the sites.

Many Deaf BSL users in the UK use BSL as their first language and may struggle with large panels of written English. By introducing the filmed BSL tours, Deaf visitors can receive information in a...

Killerton helps Deaf visitors uncover the family story

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Sat, 06/16/2018 - 10:18pm

The National Trust has developed a series of British Sign Language videos (BSL) to give the Deaf community better access to the history of Killerton House and the Acland family that once lived there. The videos take visitors on a journey around the home, explaining key Acland figures and the history behind each room. The BSL videos have been created and presented by a Deaf volunteer from Heritage Ability. Heritage Ability is a scheme helping over 20 heritage places across the South West to become more accessible to disabled people and Deaf people. It is one of many services offered by user...

Heritage destinations in Devon now accessible for deaf people

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Tue, 05/15/2018 - 10:19am

For the first time ever, a cluster of tourist destinations in Devon have developed British Sign Language videos (BSL), enabling the Deaf community to have meaningful and engaging experiences with their heritage like never before.

Just in time for Deaf Awareness Week, Seaton Wetlands, Seaton Jurassic, Kents Cavern and National Trust Killerton are the four Devon locations that have so far created the videos in partnership with Heritage Ability.

Heritage Ability is a project helping over 20 heritage places across the South West become more accessible to disabled people and...

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