Read: Alim Jayda: Theatres must consider the Deaf community before using sign language (via The Stage)

An article by actor Alim Jayda, who has Deaf parents and is a sign language interpreter, has argued that theatres should stop “tick-box use of sign language, without taking the time to check if an actor can sign to the highest standard possible,” and include Deaf consultants when casting signed parts.

Read it here.

Extract:

While the industry may be moving towards greater inclusion and diversity, recently a growing issue has emerged for the sign language community: hearing actors are being cast in roles that require British Sign Language and they are not up to the job.

The issue is not about Deaf roles going to hearing actors, which should not happen, but about tick-box use of sign language, without taking the time to check if an actor can sign to the highest standard possible.