Like us on FacebookLynn Delfosse's Story
Seeing the exclusion faced by Deaf people motivates many to become sign language interpreters, for Lynn it was only the beginning.
After qualifying in 1996, she persuaded RNID to extend its services to Wales, and helped establish RNID Cymru in 1997 offering a wider range of services to the deaf community of Wales.
Discovering that the shortage of interpreters in Wales was more pronounced than anywhere in the UK, Lynn approached the Welsh Assembly Government who provided £2.7 million. This led to the BSL Futures Project, the biggest sign language interpreter training project in Europe, where Lynn played a leading role and quadrupled the number of interpreters in Wales.
Lynn's hard work has made a huge impact and was awarded the Joseph Maitland Robinson Award for Outstanding Achievement recognising her remarkable achievements.
Lynn commented, "I'm thrilled and honoured to win such a prestigious award. I hope the award highlights the need to continue in investing to grow the quality and quantity of communication professionals in the UK. I'd like to thank the many deaf professionals, interpreters and teachers I've worked with over the years."
Now working across the UK, Lynn's drive and commitment has helped one in ten of all UK registered interpreters to qualify, greatly improving access for the Deaf community.
Click here to read about the other winners at the 2009 Signature Annual Awards.