Signature announces 50 shortlisted nominees for Hall of Fame event (with BSL video)

Rose Ayling-Ellis, Lynn Stewart-Taylor, Daniel Jillings and Kevin Buckle are among the 50 nominees shortlisted to be part of Signature’s Hall of Fame, it has been announced.

Watch this in BSL below, or scroll down to continue in English.

The organisation, which awards British Sign Language (BSL) qualifications, received more than 250 nominations for people, charities or companies to enter the Hall of Fame, which recognises the deaf community and “those who have helped with the progression of deaf communication”.

Lindsay Foster, Signature’s executive director, said: “During the nomination phase we’ve read over 250 inspiring stories of people and organisations doing incredible things to improve access for Deaf people, with the calibre of nominees being incredibly high. We’re now excited to be able to share our shortlist and look forward to bringing everyone together for an evening celebrating this achievement.

“In what is such a landmark year for the Deaf community, with the passing of the BSL Act, we look forward to getting together with those who have helped develop the foundations of deaf communication in the UK.”

Campaigners involved with the push to pass a BSL Act – including British Deaf Association chair David Buxton and Labour MP Rosie Cooper – are also featured on the list, as well as lecturer Dr Paddy Ladd, Deaf Identity founder Luke Christian and Sense Sign School’s Tyrese Dibba.

In the world of media, presenters Ahmed Mudawi and Clive Mason received nominations, alongside The Limping Chicken’s Charlie Swinbourne and Liam O’Dell. The BBC’s See Hear programme and ITV SignPost Productions – who produce the programme This Is Deaf – are also listed.

Elsewhere, organisations such as 999 BSL, City Lit, Deafinitely Theatre, Lipspeaking UK and Stagetext have also made the shortlist.

The full list can be found on Signature’s website, with 10 of the 50 nominees shortlisted being inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The event will take place at the National Football Museum in Manchester on 18 November 2022, with tickets on sale from Monday to Friday 28 October.

Photo: Signature.

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is an award-winning Deaf freelance journalist and campaigner from Bedfordshire. He can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.