NEWS FOR MAY 2013

DCAL Briefing: The need for a specialist national neurology service for deaf people

Added 30 May 2013

What currently happens when deaf people acquire a neurological disability as a result of stroke, head injury, tumour or neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia or Parkinson's disease?

New Bar for Deaf People Opens

Added 29 May 2013

A bar for deaf people where all the staff are trained in British Sign Language has opened in London.

Zip and Friends Create a Buzz

Added 24 May 2013

There was much excitement when Signature exhibited our new product SignSpell at this week's Nasen 2013 Leadership conference.

The product was very well received by teachers and special educational needs co-ordinators attending the conference, particularly those working with dyslexic children.

Signature Call for HMRC's Tax Advice Service to be Accessible for Deaf People

Added 23 May 2013

Signature urge Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to make their new specialist telephone service accessible for deaf people.

Signature Annual Awards Shortlists Announced

Added 22 May 2013

We are pleased to announce the shortlists for the Teacher of the Year and Learner of the Year categories in the 2013 Signature Annual Awards.

British Sign Language Should Qualify as a GCSE Foreign Language Option

Added 20 May 2013

National Charity Urges Educational Reform as Part of Government Consultation.

British Sign Language (BSL) should qualify as a GCSE foreign language option under the new national curriculum, urges leading deaf charity Signature.

End the Communication Breakdown for Deaf People Urges Deaf Charity

Added 17 May 2013

One of the UK's leading deaf charities believes Ofcom's consultation on live TV subtitling provides a chance to improve the everyday communication experiences of deaf people.

Spit the Dummy Meeting Campaigns for Change

Added 17 May 2013

The Spit the Dummy campaign offers exciting opportunities for the deaf community.

Signature recently attended a meeting of the campaign group in London. The aim of the campaign is to establish a British Sign Language (BSL) Act to safeguard the rights of Deaf people.

Signature Aim to Make Apprenticeships Accessible for Deaf People

Added 16 May 2013

Deaf accessible apprenticeships are the way forward according to Signature's response to a government consultation.

Moving on

Added 15 May 2013

After nearly six years as Director of Communications at Signature, Paul Parsons has announced that he is to leave the charity.

New Level 3 Certificate in British Sign Language/Irish Sign Language to be Unveiled

Added 14 May 2013

Following the review of our Level 3 qualification in British Sign Language, we are excited to tell you that we have developed a new qualification.

New Level 3 Qualification

Added 13 May 2013

In January 2013, we shared with you the outcome of the Level 3 NVQ Certificate in British Sign Language/Irish Sign Language review.

Scared, abandoned and ignored: public services for deaf people

Added 13 May 2013

Following on from last week's article in the Guardian, Lack of British Sign Language interpreters putting deaf people at risk, see Signature Chief Executive, Jim Edwards, by-lined opinion piece in the Guardian Professional section.

Signamic's 4th Annual Graduation Ceremony

Added 10 May 2013

Signature Chief Executive, Jim Edwards, was pleased to attend the fourth Signamic Annual Graduation Ceremony.

See Signature on BBC See Hear

Added 09 May 2013

You may remember we recently told you about the Parliamentary Reception which was organised by Signature, the British Deaf Association and Royal Association for Deaf People. The reception took place on 18 March to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Recognition of British Sign Language.

A call for ideas on HMRC's services for deaf people

Added 09 May 2013

A government consultation gives Deaf people the chance to have their say on the communication support they need to deal with tax queries over the phone.

Lack of BSL interpreters putting deaf people at risk

Added 08 May 2013

As part of the Signature campaign calling for the government to make the provision of regulated, SignSafe BSL interpreters a legal requirement across the public sectors, our chief executive, Jim Edwards, talks to the Guardian.

I-Sign Continues to Move Forward

Added 07 May 2013

On 29 April an I-Sign project strategic meeting was attended by consortium members from Signature, Action on Hearing Loss, UCLan, NDCS, Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Children, the BDA and NatSIP.

British Sign Language Improves Communication for Staff at Children's Home

Added 03 May 2013

Staff from a West Yorkshire children's home are praising the impact Deaf awareness training has had on them being able to communicate with young Deaf people who live there.

A Chance to Improve Services for Deaf Children

Added 03 May 2013

A government contract provides a golden opportunity to improve Deaf children's access to communication.

The Department for Education recently issued a tender for a two year contract to provide services for sensory impaired children. Successful bidders have been asked to show that they are able to work with children with all types of sensory impairment. The tender includes a special requirement to demonstrate skills in British Sign Language (BSL), ensuring that Deaf children and BSL are a key element of the government's services for sensory impaired children.

Tell us what you think about BSL Homework

Added 02 May 2013

Our online BSL Homework package is an excellent resource for anyone studying towards the Signature Level 1 Award in British Sign Language or Signature Level 2 Certificate in British Sign Language qualification.

One Week until Nominations Close

Added 01 May 2013

You have only one week left to nominate in the categories of Teacher of the Year and Learner of the Year in this year's Signature Annual Awards. Regional winners will be announced on 19 June.