Nominations for the 2010 Signature Annual Awards for excellence in communication with deaf people open today.
People and organisations that have excelled in improving communication between deaf and hearing people can, from today, be nominated for an award on a dedicated website www.signature.org.uk/awards/.
The awards, inaugurated last year to great acclaim, aim to recognise those who have, in their own way, made a significant contribution towards a society in which deaf and deafblind people have full access.
The first ever Signature Annual Awards took place last November in London and saw winners from across the UK scoop a variety of regional and national awards. Those honoured included Hertfordshire Constabulary for its work to support deaf people on its patch; Sara Scanlon, a professional lipspeaker from Reading; and Lynn Delfosse, who has worked wonders for the deaf community in Wales.
The 2010 awards include two brand new categories (Young Learner and Centre of the Year), making seven in all:
- The Joseph Maitland Robinson Award for Outstanding Contribution
- Communication Professional of the Year
- Organisational Achievement
- Teacher of the Year
- Learner of the Year
- Centre of the Year
- Young Learner of the Year (Under 16)
Both Teacher of the Year and Learner of the Year are, initially, awarded on a regional level, with winners progressing to the national awards ceremony, which will take place in November in London.
Jim Edwards, Signature Chief Executive, said: “The quality and diversity of the nominations that we received last year speaks volumes about the amazing work that is undertaken all over the country.
“We are looking forward to hearing about more people and organisations that are really making a difference for deaf people.”
For more details about the 2010 Signature Annual Awards, or to make a nomination, vist www.signature.org.uk/awards.
