Over 240 UWE Bristol students have engaged with a new Sign Language Course organised by UWE’s British Sign Language Society. The Students’ Union at UWE were delighted to fund this project through our joint Student Experience Fund (hyperlink: https://www.uwe.ac.uk/courses/funding/uwe-bristol-fund/student-experience-grant

The British Deaf Association (BDA) recently called for compulsory training of frontline workers after paramedics were unable to tell a deaf woman her husband had died.

The courses have been led by members of the deaf community. Mark Gill, the sign language instructor, has taught 240 student nurses, paramedics, midwives, radiographers, optometrists, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists since the course began in January.

This accomplishment has gained national recognition, please find the BBC News coverage here: Sign language course at UWE Bristol 'could save lives' - BBC News

The British Sign Language (BSL) society supports the training, and the courses are provided by the Centre for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People, a non-profit organization based in Bristol. Promoting inclusion and diversity is a core value for The Students’ Union and to mark Disability History Month, Students’ Union staff have also learnt beginners sign language. If, you want to see the Instagram Reel click here.

If you are a UWE Bristol student or staff member and would like to join the BSL Society, please visit their webpage on The Students’ Union website here.