{"id":70015,"date":"2022-12-19T19:15:40","date_gmt":"2022-12-19T19:15:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=70015"},"modified":"2023-02-06T16:22:17","modified_gmt":"2023-02-06T16:22:17","slug":"the-barriers-that-are-leaving-wales-deaf-population-behind","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2022\/12\/19\/the-barriers-that-are-leaving-wales-deaf-population-behind\/","title":{"rendered":"The barriers that are leaving Wales\u2019 deaf population behind"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Up to 50% of deaf adults in the UK experience mental health issues &#8211; with the numbers who suffer from anxiety and depression almost double that of non-disabled adults<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>British Sign Language (BSL) users repeatedly experience barriers in their daily lives, especially when accessing education and healthcare services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lack of support for Welsh deaf people begins in childhood &#8211; 80% of the 2,500 deaf children in Wales attend mainstream schools with no specialist facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This may not be an issue for many of us, but for the 22,000 people in England and Wales who consider BSL as their main and preferred language, it is a stress that leaves them feeling isolated and alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"772\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-17.52.47-1024x772.png\" alt=\"Statistics from Sign Health and 2021 Census\" class=\"wp-image-70211\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-17.52.47-1024x772.png 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-17.52.47-300x226.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-17.52.47-770x581.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-17.52.47-293x221.png 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-17.52.47.png 1066w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"772\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-17.52.47-1024x772.png\" alt=\"Statistics from Sign Health and 2021 Census\" class=\"wp-image-70211\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-17.52.47-1024x772.png 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-17.52.47-300x226.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-17.52.47-770x581.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-17.52.47-293x221.png 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-17.52.47.png 1066w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Research shows that deaf people are repeatedly experiencing poorer mental health as a result of daily prohibitive barriers.(Statistics <a href=\"https:\/\/signhealth.org.uk\/resources\/research\/\">SignHealth<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.signature.org.uk\/census-2021-british-sign-language\/\">2021 Census<\/a>, Credit: Eirian Jones)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-transform:none\">Both Scotland and England have passed laws to ensure BSL access &#8211; why is Wales so far behind?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>Mark Isherwood, MS, is the chair of the Senedd\u2019s cross-party group on deaf issues and has <a href=\"https:\/\/record.assembly.wales\/Plenary\/11180?lang=en-GB#A64785\">repeatedly called on the Welsh Government to introduce a BSL bill<\/a> that improves access to education, health, and public services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With two children who have hearing loss and himself a hearing-aid-wearer from a young age, Mr Isherwood believes that the current statutes in place for deaf people are too general and do not require public bodies to provide the condition-specific support that is necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;We need to stop defining people by the medical model and start recognising that people are disabled not by their impairments but by the barriers that society places in their way,\u201d he said. \u201cWe must work together to access inclusion for all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignright is-light\" style=\"min-height:393px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-40 has-background-dim\"><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-70110\" alt=\"Member of the Senedd Mark Isherwood has put forward 2 legislative proposals for a BSL bill\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/mark-2_11zon-1.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/mark-2_11zon-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/mark-2_11zon-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/mark-2_11zon-1-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/mark-2_11zon-1-770x770.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/mark-2_11zon-1-293x293.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/mark-2_11zon-1-390x390.jpg 390w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/mark-2_11zon-1-585x585.jpg 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/mark-2_11zon-1-900x900.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-70110\" alt=\"Member of the Senedd Mark Isherwood has put forward 2 legislative proposals for a BSL bill\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/mark-2_11zon-1.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/mark-2_11zon-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/mark-2_11zon-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/mark-2_11zon-1-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/mark-2_11zon-1-770x770.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/mark-2_11zon-1-293x293.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/mark-2_11zon-1-390x390.jpg 390w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/mark-2_11zon-1-585x585.jpg 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/mark-2_11zon-1-900x900.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/noscript><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">&#8220;We must work together to access. inclusion for all.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color\">-MS Mark Isherwood<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Both brought forward by Mr Isherwood, this is the second legislative proposal the Welsh Parliament has passed &#8211; the first was in February last year. However, further stages must be passed in the Senedd before it can become law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe Welsh Government has highlighted what it has done in the past, but not its ongoing failure to acknowledge the need to legislate in this way,\u201d said Mr Isherwood in response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Working alongside the <a href=\"https:\/\/bda.org.uk\/\">British Deaf Association<\/a>, the proposed bill would also establish a \u201cBSL Commissioner\u201d and a \u201cBSL Advisory Panel\u201d along with requiring the Senedd to publish an annual report on what they have done to promote BSL.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s about improving lives so that people can live independently with voice, choice, and control rather than live in a state of continual crisis because too many barriers are still stopping them living the lives they can and should,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s also addressing issues raised by young deaf people and the ongoing work by the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ndcs.org.uk\/\"> National Deaf Children&#8217;s Society Cymru<\/a> who have been highlighting, for as long as I&#8217;ve been a member [of the Senedd], and that&#8217;s nearly two decades, the gap in GCSE and school attainment amongst deaf pupils.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBoth in law and practice, we should be revising the support for those young people,\u201d he added. \u201cFrankly, it&#8217;s disgraceful that we haven&#8217;t.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-plain is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600\">\n<p>Both in law and practice, we should be revising the support for young people. Frankly, it&#8217;s disgraceful that we haven&#8217;t.\u201d<\/p>\n<cite>&#8211; MS Mark Isherwood<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-heading\"><strong>But what, exactly, are these barriers?<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.robwilks.com\/\">Dr Rob Wilks<\/a> is a lecturer in law at Cardiff University. He is also a BSL user and teaches through the medium of BSL. Having recently published a <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ed.ac.uk\/deafeducation\/\">report<\/a> comparing the role of the Scottish and Welsh education systems in supporting BSL, he is very keen for the attitude towards BSL in Wales, especially within education, to change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both Dr Wilks and his wife are deaf BSL users who went through mainstream education. \u201cWe\u2019ve reflected a lot on what\u2019s been good and bad, but we have two deaf daughters who are currently going through the education system,&#8221; he explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe things that I have seen that have given me cause for concern are very similar to the experiences myself and my wife went through. Not much has changed in 30 years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Dr Wilks\u2019 eldest daughter is in Year 6 and requires a learning support assistant who has attained BSL Level 3 or higher. The two LSAs in her school are working towards their Level 3 but have not yet passed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s better than nothing. However, if one of them is off sick, you\u2019re down to one \u2013 who\u2019s going to provide that cover?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s been an issue for some time now. The support isn\u2019t always there, and she will struggle,\u201d Dr Wilks added. &nbsp;\u201cShe isn\u2019t able to understand the information without that additional support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cShe is struggling quietly. She\u2019ll come home and tell us that she hasn\u2019t had her LSA with her today, but there\u2019s a limit to what we can do.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover aligncenter\" style=\"min-height:396px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\"><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2552\" height=\"1418\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-70068\" alt=\"Dr Rob Wilks explains how nothing has changed in Welsh Deaf education in 30 years.\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-15.18.41_11zon-1.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-15.18.41_11zon-1.jpg 2552w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-15.18.41_11zon-1-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-15.18.41_11zon-1-1024x569.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-15.18.41_11zon-1-770x428.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-15.18.41_11zon-1-1536x853.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-15.18.41_11zon-1-2048x1138.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-15.18.41_11zon-1-293x163.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-15.18.41_11zon-1-1400x778.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2552px) 100vw, 2552px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2552\" height=\"1418\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-70068\" alt=\"Dr Rob Wilks explains how nothing has changed in Welsh Deaf education in 30 years.\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-15.18.41_11zon-1.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-15.18.41_11zon-1.jpg 2552w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-15.18.41_11zon-1-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-15.18.41_11zon-1-1024x569.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-15.18.41_11zon-1-770x428.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-15.18.41_11zon-1-1536x853.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-15.18.41_11zon-1-2048x1138.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-15.18.41_11zon-1-293x163.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/Screenshot-2022-12-16-at-15.18.41_11zon-1-1400x778.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2552px) 100vw, 2552px\" \/><\/noscript><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">\u201cNot much has changed in 30 years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-white-color has-text-color\">-Dr Rob Wilks<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although <a href=\"https:\/\/www.qualificationswales.org\/english\/\">Qualification Wales<\/a> claim that Level 1 and 2 BSL qualifications are available for LSAs, the exam must be sat in England, as nowhere in Wales has the facilities to deliver it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr Wilks added: \u201cThere are lots of barriers; nothing is changing, and nothing is improving.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From his research, Dr Wilks has highlighted medical influence as a prominent barrier to accessing BSL. The best years for language development are 0\u20135 years old. However, most deaf children are born to hearing parents who will, usually, be unaware of the benefits of BSL until later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHearing parents won&#8217;t automatically think about BSL,\u201d he explained. \u201cThere&#8217;s not enough information out there for them and they&#8217;re highly influenced by the medical professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMedical professionals are in contact with those hearing parents firstly so they will focus on what technology or what they can do from a medical perspective that will help the child\u2019s hearing. They do not ever focus on BSL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBy the time parents work out what&#8217;s best for the child and collect the information on BSL &#8211; they&#8217;ve missed the boat. They&#8217;re already school age.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/British_Sign_Language_Fingerspelling_Poster_Block_Shapes-3-724x1024.png\" alt=\"The British Sign Language Alphabet\" class=\"wp-image-70131\" width=\"250\" height=\"353\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/British_Sign_Language_Fingerspelling_Poster_Block_Shapes-3-724x1024.png 724w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/British_Sign_Language_Fingerspelling_Poster_Block_Shapes-3-212x300.png 212w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/British_Sign_Language_Fingerspelling_Poster_Block_Shapes-3-770x1089.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/British_Sign_Language_Fingerspelling_Poster_Block_Shapes-3-1086x1536.png 1086w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/British_Sign_Language_Fingerspelling_Poster_Block_Shapes-3-1448x2048.png 1448w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/British_Sign_Language_Fingerspelling_Poster_Block_Shapes-3-293x414.png 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/British_Sign_Language_Fingerspelling_Poster_Block_Shapes-3-1400x1980.png 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/British_Sign_Language_Fingerspelling_Poster_Block_Shapes-3-724x1024.png\" alt=\"The British Sign Language Alphabet\" class=\"wp-image-70131\" width=\"250\" height=\"353\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/British_Sign_Language_Fingerspelling_Poster_Block_Shapes-3-724x1024.png 724w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/British_Sign_Language_Fingerspelling_Poster_Block_Shapes-3-212x300.png 212w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/British_Sign_Language_Fingerspelling_Poster_Block_Shapes-3-770x1089.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/British_Sign_Language_Fingerspelling_Poster_Block_Shapes-3-1086x1536.png 1086w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/British_Sign_Language_Fingerspelling_Poster_Block_Shapes-3-1448x2048.png 1448w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/British_Sign_Language_Fingerspelling_Poster_Block_Shapes-3-293x414.png 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/British_Sign_Language_Fingerspelling_Poster_Block_Shapes-3-1400x1980.png 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The British Sign Language Alphabet (Credit: Wikimedia Commons)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>He believes one way of changing this attitude is to follow the model of the Welsh language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFrom birth, the professionals that are involved in a child&#8217;s life have the opportunity to advocate for and emphasise the benefits of becoming bilingual from the beginning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhen a hearing child is born, parents already have information being fed to them about the options available for their child in both English and Welsh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI think that would be an ideal model. But for that, we need to train all the medical professionals about language acquisition, about British Sign language and for them to see it equivalent to other languages.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s going to be a slow change. It&#8217;s a big change in attitudes. It&#8217;s not going to happen overnight.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>BSL became an official part of the <a href=\"https:\/\/curriculumforwales.gov.wales\/2022\/03\/17\/a-sign-of-things-to-come-british-sign-language-and-the-curriculum-for-wales\/\">Welsh Curriculum<\/a> in September 2022, and like French and German, it can be taught to both hearing and deaf students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis is getting the deaf community out there and it&#8217;s becoming visible,\u201d said Dr Wilks. \u201cI think it\u2019s brilliant &#8211; it&#8217;s already having a positive impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFor a deaf person, that&#8217;s quite an emotional thing. For us in our community, it gives you goosebumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe challenge is maintaining that positive impact. We&#8217;ve made a start; we just need to backfill this now with resources and getting qualified teachers in place. That&#8217;s what&#8217;s going to take the time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe class=\"zeen-lazy-load-base zeen-lazy-load\" title=\"Dr Rob Wilks talks about the current barriers facing deaf children in Wales | The Cardiffian\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"about:blank\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lHf13WCZ_Iw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><noscript><iframe title=\"Dr Rob Wilks talks about the current barriers facing deaf children in Wales | The Cardiffian\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lHf13WCZ_Iw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/noscript>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Click here to watch Dr Rob Wilks&#8217; full interview. With Lianne Lusty interpreting, Dr Wilks discusses all things from the daily issues that deaf children face to his experience as a deaf BSL lecturer in law.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light has-parallax\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-40 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div role=\"img\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-70146 has-parallax\" style=\"background-position:50% 50%;background-image:url(https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/stu-1.jpeg)\"><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">Stuart Parkinson is the <a href=\"https:\/\/abslta.co.uk\/\">Vice Chair of the Association of British Sign Language Teachers and Assessors<\/a> and is also a Trustee and Youth Worker at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.deafhub.wales\/mission-vision-values\">Deaf Hub Wales,<\/a> a hub for deaf support, education, and advocacy based in Cardiff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">Mr. Parkinson has congenital progressive deafness and was born to hearing parents. He wasn\u2019t given the opportunity to learn BSL until he was 18 years old.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt would have been much better had I learnt BSL when I was younger. I didn\u2019t have a deaf identity growing up,\u201d said Mr Parkinson.&nbsp; \u201cGrowing up, my self-esteem wasn\u2019t very good. In high school, I had no support and I was missing everything. I was the only deaf child in a school of 1,700 hearing pupils.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Through BSL I developed my deaf identity. I&#8217;ve found my language.&#8221; <\/p>\n<cite>Stuart Parkinson<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>There are 22 schools for deaf children in the UK, none of which are in Wales. Therefore, the Deaf Hub aims to provide its youth members with a deaf community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They offer a wide range of opportunities, from Youth Leadership and the Duke of Edinburgh Awards to deaf theatre and film editing workshops, all done through BSL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mr Parkinson also leads the hub&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.deafhub.wales\/heritage\">Heritage Project<\/a>, a project about the development of the Welsh deaf community since the 1940s.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/IMG_0800_11zon-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Deaf Hub Wales is a hub for deaf support, education, and advocacy based in Cardiff (Credit: Eirian Jones)\" class=\"wp-image-70142\" width=\"306\" height=\"229\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/IMG_0800_11zon-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/IMG_0800_11zon-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/IMG_0800_11zon-770x578.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/IMG_0800_11zon-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/IMG_0800_11zon-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/IMG_0800_11zon-293x220.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/IMG_0800_11zon-1400x1050.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 306px) 100vw, 306px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/IMG_0800_11zon-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Deaf Hub Wales is a hub for deaf support, education, and advocacy based in Cardiff (Credit: Eirian Jones)\" class=\"wp-image-70142\" width=\"306\" height=\"229\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/IMG_0800_11zon-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/IMG_0800_11zon-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/IMG_0800_11zon-770x578.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/IMG_0800_11zon-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/IMG_0800_11zon-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/IMG_0800_11zon-293x220.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/12\/IMG_0800_11zon-1400x1050.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 306px) 100vw, 306px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Deaf Hub Wales is a hub for deaf support, education, and advocacy based in Cardiff (Credit: Eirian Jones)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s all about the empowerment of younger people,\u201d said Mr Parkinson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cRole models are so important \u2013 I became a youth worker because I wanted to give opportunities to them that I didn\u2019t have growing up. I hadn\u2019t even heard of a deaf club<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe have a lot of positive feedback \u2013 one person\u2019s confidence has shot up. It\u2019s beautiful to see when their confidence is low and suddenly, they\u2019ve got an \u2018I can do\u2019 attitude.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe class=\"zeen-lazy-load-base zeen-lazy-load\" title=\"Stuart Parkinson talks about how learning British Sign Language changed his life | The Cardiffian\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"about:blank\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9WhhNNYnPxA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><noscript><iframe title=\"Stuart Parkinson talks about how learning British Sign Language changed his life | The Cardiffian\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9WhhNNYnPxA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/noscript>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Click here to watch Stuart Parkinson&#8217;s full interview. He discusses how he found his community and language through BSL, along with the importance of Deaf Hub Wales&#8217; Youth Club and Heritage Project.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p>The Welsh Government are currently awaiting a BSL audit conducted by BDA, which is due to be published in January. Following this, they hope to begin a consultation process that will hopefully lead Wales a step closer to ensuring access to BSL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Access to BSL is a vital part of a deaf person&#8217;s daily life &#8211; but that&#8217;s not as easy to find in Wales as it is elsewhere<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":914,"featured_media":73122,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[5201,8204,1291,2180,5202,8214,41,588,339],"coauthors":[8089],"class_list":["post-70015","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-longer-reads","tag-british-sign-language","tag-bsl","tag-cardiff-2","tag-deaf","tag-deaf-community","tag-deaf-hub-wales","tag-mental-health","tag-senedd","tag-wales"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - 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