Sign language week highlights 'value of access'

Sign language week provides an opportunity to "highlight the value of communication access," the chief executive of Manx Deaf Society has said.

The awareness week, which runs until Sunday, marks the legal recognition of British Sign Language (BSL) in the British Isles in 2003.

The society will run two 45-minute sessions on deaf awareness and BSL, at 10:00 and 12:00 GMT, at the charity's building in Douglas.

Lucy Buxton, Chief Executive of Manx Deaf Society, said: "Learning even a small amount of sign language can make a significant difference in helping deaf people feel included and understood."

"Sign Language Week is an important opportunity to celebrate Deaf culture and highlight the value of communication access," she added.

There are about 13,000 people on the Isle of Man who face hearing loss.

The charity said it was celebrating the week locally to raise awareness of the importance of accessible communication for deaf people across the island.

BSL was the "first or preferred language for many deaf people", the charity said, adding that sign language week allows the community to learn more about BSL and "support greater inclusion".

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