Deaf students take the lead in delivering deaf awareness training across Devon (BSL)

Deaf students from Devon are working with some of the UK’s most prestigious organisations to help their staff develop a deeper understanding of the Deaf community.

The work by the young people, who attend the Exmouth-based Deaf Academy, is being carried out as part of interactive Deaf Awareness sessions which are being delivered to staff at the Met Office, University of Exeter, National Trust, NHS and the Police.

All of the content has been tailored for each organisation’s particular need, ranging from explaining to the police how handcuffing a Deaf person takes away their ability to communicate, to adapting medical terms used in the NHS’s breast screening clinic.

The sessions are being delivered as part of the Deaf Academy’s mission to help people to better understand the needs and capabilities of Deaf people, with an aim of achieving better integration amongst Deaf and hearing communities across Devon.

Mark Stocks, Partnership and Community Manager at the Deaf Academy, said:

“Part of our Academy’s mission is to help the public to develop a greater understanding of the needs of the Deaf community. Sometimes people don’t communicate with a Deaf person, as they are afraid of getting that communication wrong, so through these sessions, we aim to reassure people and give them the tools they need to take away that fear.

“It’s been important for us to involve our students, balanced of course with their studies, as another of our aims is to provide our young people with opportunities to be involved and be part of the wider community. The sessions will also help to promote independence and build their confidence.”

Mark added:

“Our wider charitable ambitions have always been to go beyond being a provider of outstanding quality education, care and support for Deaf young people. We aim to support the wider business community and general public in their understanding of the culture and language of the Deaf Community through this type of Deaf Awareness training.“

Hugh, 24, who is a student at the Academy stated how he felt it was important to teach Deaf Awareness to hearing people in order to help them understand Deaf culture and to improve communication between the hearing and Deaf communities.

Timothy, 19, also studies at the Academy and is chair of the Academy’s Student Council. He and his fellow students regularly campaign to raise Deaf Awareness, through the Academy’s partnerships with regional and national organisations.

Timothy said how he feels the work is so important as the Deaf community needs to feel included in a hearing world. Timothy added that by working to spread awareness, this helps ensure the two communities are more integrated.

Susan Ward-Rice, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Specialist Partner at the Met Office who are receiving training from the deaf students added:

“We are continuously striving to be as inclusive as possible with everyone we engage with, whether that be through our recruitment or the content we produce. We are excited to be working with students from the Deaf Academy and our recent deaf awareness session was engaging, educational and informative.

“We are thrilled to welcome students during British Sign Language Week to help make our communications even more accessible and inclusive to members of the D/deaf community.”

The Deaf Academy also offers training to any organisation’s staff when they are considering taking its young Deaf adults on for a work placement, to help break down the barriers in the workplace.

For further information or to find out more about The Deaf Academy and the work they do you can view their website here.