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DEAF AWARENESS & BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE TRAINING

Awareness of access issues and diversity are essential ingredients in offering your audiences and customers a quality service.

Solar Bear can offer your organisation affordable and flexible “hands on” training solutions around deaf awareness and British Sign Language within a performing arts environment. The training aims to increase understanding of deaf culture, the deaf community and basic British Sign Language.

With our knowledge, expertise and support you can increase staff awareness as well as promoting and delivering quality service and support to deaf audience members and service users.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

· What it means to be deaf.

· How to work with deaf people in all area’s of theatre – actors, directors, technical staff and audience members.

· The difficulties that deaf people face every day.

· An introduction to British Sign Language and how to communicate with deaf people.

· Acceptable terminology.

· Theatre signs and terminology.

· How to work with an interpreter.

· How effective captioned performances are

WHAT ARE THE KEY OUTCOMES?

· Informed and more confident staff

· A commitment to access and diversity

· A certificate of completion and attendance

· Sign-posting on developing further skills in this area

· Knowledge of best practice in relation to deaf awareness in a theatre environment.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Workshops will benefit any member of your organisation. Anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of attitudes towards deafness, and what it means to be deaf. This can range from directors and project managers to front of house and bar staff.

One of the greatest benefits of this course is the chance to learn British Sign Language from a deaf sign language professional with experience working in an arts environment.

HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?

Courses are usually presented over 1-2 days but we are happy to discuss how sessions can be tailor made to suit your specific requirements.

WHAT DOES IT COST?

A standard 1 day deaf awareness session with a British Sign Language taster for between 2-12 people in your venue will cost £500 + VAT. This cost will include all materials. We can offer bespoke courses and quote to meet your company needs.

Please contact Natalie MacDonald, Access Officer, Solar Bear Ltd on 0141 221 3240 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for a course outline or to discuss how we can tailor a course to meet your needs.

Nine million people in the UK are deaf or hard of hearing

“Fabulous, fun enjoyable day! Found out loads of fresh information. Thanks!”

QUOTE FROM PARTICIPANT IN SOLAR BEAR DEAF AWARENESS TRAINING