Deaf Awareness Week

Monday 2nd May to Sunday 8th May 2011 is Deaf Awareness Week.  This week aims to raise awareness of the different methods of communication used by deaf and hard of hearing people, such as sign language and lipreading. 

Sign language is where you use different signs using your hands, arms, body, facial expressions and body language to communicate.  There are many different types of sign language, but in the UK, the most commonly used is British Sign Language. 

Hand Spelling: 2-Hand British System by sinosplice

The first step to learning British Sign Language is to learn how to finger spell.  This is using your hands and fingers to spell out words. 

The LRC currently has free leaflets that you can take away that show you how to finger spell - both left handed and right handed.   These can be found on a current display about Deaf Awareness Week where you will also find sign language dictionaries and various other materials related to different aspects of deafness.