Deaf Awareness Training 2024

Earlier in the year, colleagues here at Watson Moore IFA took part in ‘Sign Language Week 2024’, where they learned more about the history of British Sign Language and attended a BSL Lesson, offered by the British Deaf Association to UK companies. The lesson was hosted by none other than celebrity chef Yvonne Cobb and colleagues enjoyed learning more about the language, as well as a few basic signs.

Following on from this, colleagues have recently attended Deaf Awareness Training, which focused on raising awareness around what it’s like to live as a Deaf person here in the UK. “I really enjoyed the training. Initially, we broke out into groups and reflected on some of the challenges we thought Deaf people might face in their everyday lives. It really made me think about it and put myself in a Deaf person’s shoes” explains Mella.

The Deaf Awareness Training was hosted by Daniel Watts, one of the Directors here at Watson Moore. Daniel has been learning BSL for more than 5 years and recently passed his exams, achieving the Level 3 Certificate in BSL. “As my knowledge of the language has deepened, so has my involvement with the Deaf Community. I now regularly attend Deaf events and get chatting to people, learning about their lives. It’s made me more and more passionate about supporting the Deaf community” says Dan.

Colleagues ran through a variety of group activities, watched two short documentaries and learned more about how evolving technology has impacted the community too. “I came away having learned way more than I thought I would,” says Joe, “I’d never heard of a CODA before (Child of Deaf Adults) or thought about the access issues Deaf people face every day, such as using an alarm to wake up in the morning or speak with their GP, let alone using a baby monitor with a newborn or even needing to dial 999 in an emergency”

Watson Moore IFA is working to make our services more accessible to members of the Deaf community and BSL users. This Deaf Awareness Training with our staff is just one of the ways we are working to achieve this. We are also exploring ways to improve our website, our processes, plus being able to offer client meetings in British Sign Language, without the need for an interpreter. More details will be announced as we progress here.