Deborah shows signs of being someone special

Story from The West Briton (Truro) – A sign language student from Cornwall College Camborne has been nominated for a national award.

Deborah MacDonald, from Camborne, who also works at the college as a life skills tutor and learning support practitioner, has been nominated for the 2010 Signature Awards for her dedicated approach.

"I nominated her for the outstanding and innovative work she has done in partnership with her tutor this year," said Stephen Roberts, curriculum area manager for community education. "She has worked to build up a video resource of the tutor signing words to help learners increase their vocabulary."

The Learner of the Year category consists of 20 nominees from all over the country and the winner will be announced next week.

Ms MacDonald said: "I decided learn sign language as we have many students in our faculty that have hearing problems and I wanted to be able to communicate with them."

The Signature Annual Awards aim to acknowledge people’s dedication to overcoming barriers in communication between deaf and hearing people and those whose contribution moves towards achieving a society in which deaf people have full access.

"I started filming myself signing on my video camera to help me learn because when practising in the mirror, I couldn’t take notes or see what I was doing wrong at the same time. I was not expecting to be nominated for any award, so was surprised and honoured. The videos I’ve created from the sessions are for the rest of the group as well as myself."

Dave Linnell, principal of Cornwall College, said: "This is wonderful recognition for Deborah. She has shown tremendous dedication and our learners will truly benefit from her new skills."

Deaf Awareness Week next month will see organisations working with deaf people to improve understanding of the different types of deafness.

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