‘Learn your ABC’ - Doncaster Deaf Trust’s heartfelt call to the town

Pupils from Doncaster School for the Deaf and students from Communication Specialist College Doncaster are calling on people from all walks of life to learn to sign the alphabet using British Sign Language (BSL).

Doncaster Deaf Trust which manages the school, has a free online BSL course that has attracted more than 15,000 people to learn to sign over the past year. The alphabet video from the course is being shared during Deaf Awareness Week to encourage people to learn to sign.

Alexis Johnson, executive principal at Doncaster Deaf Trust said: “Our pupils and students are hoping to see lots of people taking the time to learn to sign the alphabet this Deaf Awareness Week.

“Learning this new skill will mean that more people will be able to communicate with our pupils as they go about their daily lives. If people in shops, on buses, entertainment places and at health care providers can fingerspell the alphabet it is a great start in being able to have a conversation.

“Doncaster School for the Deaf has been educating Deaf children in the town for more than 190 years and as a charity we looking to raise funds to improve our facilities.

“We’re asking people to get sponsored for their efforts and donate to our special Deaf Awareness Week fund.

“Thank you to those businesses who have already pledged to take part and if you’d like to join in with us please donate via the justgiving page link below.”

Alexis added: “Our pupils and students try and live their lives as independently as possible, but if they experience communication problems while they’re out and about, it can make normal, day-to-day tasks such as getting a bus or going shopping much more difficult.

“We want Doncaster’s businesses and residents to come together and help us try and change this for them.

“Simple steps, such as being deaf aware, looking at a Deaf person when you are talking to them, and taking the time to learn some of the basics of British Sign Language, can make all the difference to the lives of Deaf people here in Doncaster.”

To donate please visit https://www.justgiving.com/Deaf-Trust

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