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Deaf people can do anything, Except Hear Elaine Hallam , Nottinghamshire Branch

I have worked within the deaf community for over 25 years. During that time, together with colleagues, deaf people and those with a hearing loss, I have campaigned to raise awareness of British Sign Language (BSL) and the barriers to communication deaf people face within a hearing world. O ne in five people in the UK have some form of hearing loss, and most of us will, at some time in our lives, become hard

disability. Not all Deaf people have the confidence Rose displays, but she is a role model for others because of the way she tackles life’s challenges, and how they can be overcome. The Deaf do not generally see themselves as disabled, and have a saying that “Deaf people can do anything, except hear”. Though many argue that they hear visually and through vibrations through the air and floor, especially with music. British Sign Language is a beautiful, rich Language, full of expression, emotions and pictures. Currently there are 151,000 people in the UK who use BSL, and approximately 87,000 are Deaf. The popular media is becoming more inclusive, with a deaf character in the new Eternals superhero movie, deaf actors/actresses in the soaps (including Rose Ayling-Ellis), and TV adverts including British Sign Language. But there are many improvements still to be made in society, as well as within the entertainment industry. We can all do our bit to help better communication between the Deaf & Hearing worlds. If you would like to find out more, have a look at bda.org.uk/help -resources or ndcs.org.uk

of hearing. This has a terribly isolating effect of not being able to hear conversation around us. They can feel excluded from society and a burden to loved ones. Even with the most up to date hearing aids, it can still leave our relatives and friends feeling left out or marginalised. As the relative or friend who’s hearing is fine, it can also be very frustrating having to repeat things several times over, or feel you must raise your voice to be heard. But this is nothing to the frustration a deafened person feels. So please bare this in mind the next time you are talking with them. Here are a few simple things to consider. • Make sure they’re looking at you before you speak • Talk face to face, make eye contact & start by saying what you want to talk about • Don’t over - enunciate, as this distorts your lip pattern • Don’t SHOUT! • Don’t cover your mouth with your hands or eat/drink/smoke at the same time • Be aware of windows or bright lighting behind you, as it will cast your face into darkness • Relax and most importantly, be patient with them • If you’re really stuck, then you can write something down. • But best of all, learn British Sign Language. BSL was recognised by the government in 2003, as our second national language, yet few outside of the Deaf community are aware of this. Recently things began to change, thanks to the fabulous actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, who is the first Deaf contestant in the UK’s Strictly Come Dancing competition. She is a fantastic role model for the younger deaf generation, as well as anyone who feels they can’t achieve success due to having a

Rose and Giovanni used BSL in one of their dances

Rose’s Eastender’s character Frankie communicates using a mixture of spoken English and British Sign Language

Elaine Hallam discusses deaf awareness at the IPA Crafty Copper event

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POLICE WORLD Vol 67 No.1, 2022