British Sign Language Society- University of Manchester:
Signature recently reached out to the University of Manchester BSL Society to learn more about the people involved in the society and about their future aims. It is important that Universities across the globe can help to aid their students in learning sign language. Having sign language societies helps to raise deaf awareness and enables individuals to share their love for BSL and communication. As well as this, it is a place where deaf people and hearing people can unite as one.
Here is what those involved with the BSL society had to say:
- What do you aim to get from the society?
We hope to improve and increase BSL and deaf awareness throughout the university and wider community, as well as allowing people to experience BSL in a more and informal setting before committing themselves to formally learning and becoming qualified in BSL.
We also hope to build a network of connections with different organisations such as MDC (Manchester Deaf Centre), Signature, and maybe even British Deaf Association. We are however, a fledgeling society (just coming up on 1 year old!) so we have been building our foundations as a society for that time. We are now ready for our second year to build this network of connections and progress further towards these aims for the society.
2. What advice would you give to someone who is nervous to join the society?
Give it a go! BSL is a truly beautiful language like no other and can be used by anyone. If you are nervous because you are deaf, hard of hearing, nonverbal or rely on BSL for any reason, please don’t worry. Everyone in the society is here because they are interested in your language and culture and will have nothing but support and kindness to show you.
If you are nervous because you are a BSL beginner, a lot of our society members are too! This society is all about breaking down barriers, so if you feel like there is anything preventing you from or making you nervous to get involved, please let us know and we can find a way to help you get involved!
3. Can you give some more information on the society itself, how it is run, and the people involved?
The society is part of the University of Manchester Students’ Union, and as such is run by students at the University of Manchester, and its members are also students at the university. Our members range from deaf students to autistic students who often struggle to communicate verbally, to hearing and neurotypical students – we make it clear that the society is not just for any one group, we are a place for different people to come together and learn to / have a space to communicate with one another in a safe and happy environment – to break down those deaf/hearing and neurodivergent/neurotypical barriers that our members (and committee) may face in their day to day lives.
As we are a new society, we only have five committee members at present:
- Chair: Thomas- founder of the society. He has completed his BSL levels 1 and 2 and hoping to start his level 3 soon.
- Inclusion officer and secretary– Amy is severely Deaf but was not introduced to BSL for communication until she started primary school at 7.
- Social media and events coordinator– Megan started learning BSL a few years ago using an online course and is also passionate about accessibility.
- Events officer– Sakina’s interest in BSL was piqued when she saw a live BSL interpretation at an event. Now she is learning to sign.
- Treasurer– Holly started a BSL course in her second year and now practices using apps and online videos.
4. What sort of BSL levels can be achieved at the Manchester University BSL Society?
As we are students, and thus not qualified to teach BSL, we cannot offer any formal lessons or qualifications. We focus a lot more on some informal ‘teaching’ of basics to help members communicate with each other, but we mostly focus on practice, as unless you are already part of the BSL community, practice can be very difficult to obtain.
5. What are the benefits of joining a BSL society? (What sort of skills can be acquired?)
Joining the BSL society gives you a chance to start your journey of learning BSL, practice with other enthusiastic students, improve your confidence and non-verbal communication skills, and make a real beneficial change happen in and around the university. The BSL society is also a great place to meet new people and make friends!
6. Finally, does the society have any future goals that they would like to reach?
Absolutely! The main ‘big idea’ for the society is ensuring that BSL and deaf awareness are found everywhere in the university without exception, so that students who rely on or use BSL have as many barriers to their learning and university experience removed as possible.
Other more specific goals include:
- Fundraising for interpreters for events around the university- including those of other societies- to ensure that all events are as accessible to those who rely on BSL as possible.
- Supporting students to progress through their BSL levels through providing them a community to practise with and support them throughout, and possibly even helping students to fundraise to pay for their BSL qualifications if they are struggling to cover the cost.
- Having BSL included around the university (e.g., there are a lot of information screens in university buildings, which could have information signed with subtitles mixed in with the written information)
And more…
Thank you to all the society members at the University of Manchester BSL society for giving us an insight to how the society is run and their aims for the future. We hope that the society continues to grow and that more people are inspired to learn BSL.
