Dear Editor,
Deaf Awareness Week
The first week in May is Deaf Awareness Week, when we celebrate Deaf culture and raise awareness about what we can do to make society more deaf-friendly.
Did your readers know that a GCSE in British Sign Language (BSL) is being developed, so young people can learn it in school? Here at the National Deaf Children’s Society we’re working hard to make that happen as soon as possible – we expect students to be able to study it from 2025.
BSL is a fantastic language and great fun to learn, but there are many other ways you can become more deaf-aware too. Here are just a few really simple deaf awareness tips that anyone can do anywhere right now (there are more on our website):
1. Speak clearly and naturally, it makes lip-reading much easier
2. Don’t cover your mouth or turn away and make sure your face is fully visible, and avoid eating or chewing. All these things can make understanding very difficult
3. Be visual. Try pointing, using gesture, writing things down or typing on your phone – there are even apps now
4. Never give up and say “It doesn’t matter” – because it does!
The National Deaf Children’s Society supports the UK’s 50,000 deaf children and young people. For anyone needing advice, support or information about deafness, please call our free Helpline on 0808 800 8880 or visit our website, www.ndcs.org.uk
BECCY FORROW,
Deputy Director, Campaigning and Advocacy,
the National Deaf Children’s Society
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