Joanne Woodhouse-Roberts: Rose’s ‘Sign for Change’ documentary inspired me to offer a BSL course (BSL)

I along with many others sat down recently to watch Rose Ayling-Ellis’ documentary.

I thoroughly enjoyed viewing a documentary produced by a Deaf presenter, a Deaf director and producer. It was very well constructed, hard hitting but equally positive at times. I grew up in the 80s attending a Unit, in an oral setting, the ‘norm’ for that time.

My parents were like many others who received very little information or advice about Deafness, nor were they encouraged to learn BSL.

‘Oralism’ ruled life for many who were Deaf, which in turn has left them deprived emotionally, mentally and academically.

I was sad and disappointed to see the parents of little Alvie in the programme who were struggling with the most simple things like getting advice and BSL tuition.

I had always hoped in 2023 things would be vastly improved for parents of Deaf children, having modern technology to diagnose newly born babies we should be in a much better position today, shouldn’t we?

It has been well documented that Deaf children often have delays in their language, reading and writing.

Language is not a ‘luxury’, it’s an essential part of life, in terms of expressing emotions, needs, desires, relationships, schooling, and making sense of the world. The Deaf community is all too aware organisations like RAD, NDCS, BDA for instance, are on the front line doing their very best to persuade the’ majority’ of hearing society to meet their legal obligations.

However, hearing parents who have never met Deaf people may not have the confidence to approach an organisation to ask for advice or support, and those who do have the confidence are often met with barriers such as having to pay hundreds and sometimes thousands of pounds to learn to sign to communicate effectively with their child.

My parents also watched the programme and my mother was asking lots of questions, she was flabbergasted that very little seems to have changed from her time, when she was told in 1979 her daughter was profoundly Deaf.

Rose is absolutely right that families should be able to access free sign language tuition. Of course they should! In the same way we’re able to access free speech therapy today.

There are plenty of BSL courses available with exams starting at level 1 rising to level 6 and beyond.

These courses are vital for those who wish to work with Deaf people or teach Sign Language; for example I have self funded these courses and exams and can see the benefit.

Likewise, I am all too aware of just how expensive it can be. This was part of my job as I’ve taught BSL on and off over the past 30 years and I’ve also worked for NDCS working with families in their homes, so these qualifications were essential for my roles and rightly so.

However for a family wishing to communicate effectively, they do not need a certificate.

They have an urgent need to hold a signed and visual conversation, therefore should they be paying for the course at this elementary stage and having to endure an exam at the end? I don’t think so!

Validation can come later in their journey of discovery, if that is what they want to do!

After seeing Rose’s documentary I felt that with my experience as an instructor, I could contribute in a small way in offering a BSL course for fun, friends or family on zoom with minimal cost with NO exam.

This is purely for parents, grandparents, siblings, family and friends who wish to learn BSL or improve their signing skills, thus I put a flyer on social media offering my services.

The response from social media has been phenomenal, beyond my wildest dreams..or fears!

I have been overwhelmed with enquiries, the majority from parents, grandparents and carers expressing their interest and thanks.

Whilst very heart warming, it demonstrates an unmet need. As Deaf mother I cannot sit back and watch this go on.

A mother once said to me, I really want my daughter to ‘say’ my name ‘Mummy’ with tears in her eyes. I understood she needed that as a hearing mum. I recall replying, that she would be just as proud, just as pleased and just as emotional when her daughter signs ‘ Mummy’ and guess what, she was over the moon and they never looked back and have thrived as a BSL family.

Every child, parent, uncle, aunt, brother or sister deserves that very moment of joy. See details of my BSL course below:

Joanne is a profoundly Deaf BSL user based in Essex and has worked as a BSL tutor and Language Aide. She recently wrote and was involved in the production of ‘Give Us The Sign’. She is passionate about sharing ideas, Deaf issues and supporting one another.