Weymouth College celebrates Deaf Awareness Week with student-led event

Weymouth College marked Deaf Awareness Week with a special event hosted by students, celebrating deaf people and communities.

Deaf Awareness Week, held this year from May 6 to 12, is an annual event that aims to raise awareness about the deaf community, its language, culture and history.

It is a time to celebrate deaf identity, promote deaf culture, and advocate for equal access to communication and services for the deaf and hard of hearing.

This week-long event provides an opportunity for individuals and organisations to come together and support the deaf community, learn about their experiences, and work towards a more inclusive and accessible society.

Deaf Awareness Week is a time to celebrate diversity, promote understanding, and build a more inclusive world for all.

The Weymouth College reception area was bursting with plenty of fun and interactive games and activities organised by students, as well as exhibitors, videos and special guest hearing dog Elmo.

Hearing dog Elmo visited Weymouth College for the event

Visitors were able to relax within a demonstration lounge set up to represent a typical life and surroundings of a deaf person, take on a lip-reading challenge, gain insight and advice via the knowledge and experience of health professionals. They were also treated to a unique performance by students who performed a beautiful combination of song and sign.

Students sing and sign using British Sign Language

A spokesperson for the College said: “Here at Weymouth College, we’re very proud of our popular part-time courses in British Sign Language (BSL) taught by fully-qualified staff, designed to teach learners to communicate on a range of topics that involve simple, everyday language for all abilities at Level 1 and 2 qualifications.

“Our thanks to all involved in organising such an engaging, memorable event and to those who came along and took part. We hope you had as much fun as we did!”

You can find out more about BSL courses at Weymouth College here: Dorset Training Academy Archives – Weymouth College