For those who do not know who I am, my name is Graham Johnston, and I am 46 years old. I’m profoundly deaf, living in Portsmouth.
At the moment, I run an online fashion business, buying and selling fashion clothing from home (keeping the stock in a storage space nearby).
I sell my goods via my website and also via eBay. Since eBay has changed a lot, I have sold less goods in the past year, so now I want to learn new skills while running a ‘slow’ business.
So recently, I have looked to go on short courses which can help me gain better knowledge and more confidence when running my online fashion business. But I’ve run into problems.
When Deaf people go to university or college, they can get Disabled Students Allowance and funding for communication support and equipment – for example, an interpreter or a notetaker. That’s great!
But, what if you wish to attend a short course, or go to a non-government funded college (run by private companies), for example?
I have made contact with a number of fashion and/or photography schools/academies, but none of them are willing to fund BSL interpreters or note-taking services.
I wanted to attend a 1 year professional photography school. But I can’t get Disabled Students Allowance because it is not run by a designated higher education course provider.
I had received numbers of e-mails from them:
Letter 1: “Our school does not offer special support for deaf persons. Nevertheless, if you have speech reading ability, it might be possible to attend the courses which are very practical”
Letter 2: “We would be delighted to enrol you in our 32-week program in London, but we just think from our past experience as a school who taught photography to deaf students that it is impossible if you don’t use the services of a translator”
This is also true of many other private companies I have contacted, including a 3-month full time Event Management Diploma course followed by 3 months placement I looked into several years ago, and other courses I have looked into for fashion merchandising.
The new skills I could learn on the photography course would help me take my own photos of models for my online fashion business rather than putting them up on mannequins or photo given by my supplier.
I could also develop my photography skills in case I close my online business in the future.
In conclusion, I believe Deaf people are still very much at disadvantage when it comes to further learning.
I would like to see DSA and funding for interpreting / note-taker services in any courses, regardless of whether they are run by government-funded companies or not.
Graham Johnston is 46 and lives in Portsmouth. He has been profoundly deaf since he was 3 years old (caused by meningitis). He attended Burwood Park School (1980-1985). His interests include sports (horseracing, tennis, football, cricket, road cycling), travelling, photography and fashion.
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Tim
October 8, 2014
So it’s not deafness that is the barrier but the non-inclusive actions/omissions of those who run the courses?
Angela Lindsay
October 8, 2014
Unfortunately, small institutions that offer short courses are not funded adequately to provide an inclusive environment for everyone. You could meet up with the director of the institution to ask if the lecturers would be prepared to make some accommodations in their teaching to meet your learning needs that wouldn’t incur any additional expenses for them. For example, you could ask if the lecturers would be willing to share their notes with you before each lecture and if they would be prepared to use visual media like PowerPoint presentations, giving visual step-by-step instructions/directions, simple explanations in clear language or visual graphic organisers to present their notes during lessons. You could also ask friendly students to volunteer to be your “buddy” to support you through the lessons and share their notes with you, in return for some favour, e.g. free sign language lessons or discount clothing for example. By taking some initiative and showing them how to to accommodate your needs, you’ll be doing favours for your career and for future deaf and hearing-impaired students, plus you’ll be raising deaf awareness not only in the class but also at the institution!
Cathy
October 8, 2014
Oh dear Graham what a disappointment for u. But guess what? Your problem is nothing new!! I knew this problem existed more than 25 years ago and your situation has sadly proved that there has been neither change nor improvement in all these years!!!
So much for Deaf Awareness or inclusivity of deaf people eh?! One would’ve expected this type of “deaf problem” to have been consigned to the dustbin yonks ago! But oh no, it still rears its ugly head seemingly worse than ever!
Small institutions barely give the time of day to deaf people, let alone a board meeting to resolve funding problems for such people!
I have thought, if you are in receipt of DLA you could pay for support with it, but I know you may not have it. The fact this benefit is about to change next October does not bode well for any deaf person who desires to improve on their life chances and prospects.
I, for one, certainly fear for many of us in this kind of dire situation as the years go by.
I doubt, somehow that we will be making progress in the coming years but digressing further and further backwards……………
Lana
October 8, 2014
Hello Graham, I know some Deaf photographers forming a group with a professional Deaf photographer in West Sussex. I have forwarded your article to this person who is involved with this group. Good Luck
Linda Parkin
October 8, 2014
Hi Graham, the Skills Funding Agency is supposed to fund the kind of courses you are talking about – but their funding is never enough for interpreters as well as tutors. We have tried explaining this to them, I don’t know how many times. Maybe if enough excluded learners contacted them directly, they would start to listen?
I see on their website they are talking about their “success in supporting equality and diversity developments”: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/skills-funding-agency
Liz Thomas
October 8, 2014
Hi Graham, I’m wondering whether you might be able to get Access to Work funding to pay for an interpreter for your course. After all the course you want to do is related to your work. It might be worth asking AtW about this.
Liz Brading
October 8, 2014
Graham, very frustrating I know! However, it is NOT “deafness” that is the barrier (like Tim said). Those who provide the courses are the ones that set up the barriers and need to change to make courses accessible to everyone.
Hana Laurie
October 17, 2015
I work at Basingstoke College of Technology as a Photography lecturer and currently have Level 1 in BSL, though I’d love to improve!
We’re looking to run a range of Art and Design courses for Deaf, and wonder if this is something which would be of interest?
We currently run BTEC Courses in Art and Design which include specialisms in Photography, Ceramics, Glass, Metalwork, Woodwork, Life drawing, Painting, Screen Printing, Fashion Textiles and Graphic Design etc. I have also taught A Level in the past, and would consider running the program again.
We could also run short courses without accreditation if that’s something that people would benefit from.
Lets get making art and signing!