New sign site for BT users

BT has launched a new website which will help British Sign Language (BSL) users to access information about BT products and services in their first language. The BT Sign site has been created by AC2.com Productions in consultation with BSL users. The company's research found that 80 percent of respondents wanted signed information about products and services. Visit www.bt.com/btsign (external link, opens new browser window) for more information.

Young campaigners needed

RNID is looking for enthusiastic 16-24 year olds living in London, Manchester, Bath or Birmingham to join its new Young Person's Campaign Group. You'll need to spend two hours or more a week, for eight weeks, on each of the campaigns you've agreed to work on. In return you'll get training, support and experience, including a two-day workshop. Find out more.

Research charity appoints new adviser

Deafness Research UK has appointed Professor Quentin Summerfield from the University of York to be its new chief research adviser. He will play a vital role in ensuring the charity supports the most exciting and promising research into deafness. "Hearing research is entering a very exciting period," he said. "Never
before have there been such promising lines of research."

Signing by the seaside

RNID invited people in Margate the opportunity to learn some basic British Sign Language (BSL) during Deaf Awareness Week. Staff and service users from RNID's Margate Community Services, visited the town centre to raise awareness of the communication needs of deaf people. They offered residents the opportunity to learn how to fingerspell their name and master a few basic signs.

Deaf friendly football project

A Deaf Friendly Football Project has been launched to revolutionise the sport for deaf children at all levels. Run by the National Deaf Children's Society's, it is training deaf adults to become qualified coaches, organising tournaments for deaf children, running deaf friendly football festivals and working with top clubs,  such as Fulham. For more details, email football@ndcs.org.uk

Family fun day

A family fun day was held at Handsworth Community Fire Safety Centre during Deaf Awareness week to raise money for Birmingham Deaf Children's society.
Highlights of the day included signed tours of the centre's fire survival studio and demonstrations of specialist smoke alarms for deaf people. Visitors also took a look at signed fire safety advice on the West Midlands Fire Service website (external link, opens new browser window).

Signed forums in Westminster

Westminster City Council will provide loops and BSL interpreters, on request, for their area forums in May and June 2007. The first forum, for people in the South of the borough, will be held at Victoria Park Plaza, Victoria Bridge Road, on Tuesday 29 May 2007. Visit the Westminster City Council website (external link, opens new browser window) for more information.

Music workshop

The London Symphony Orchestra is inviting deaf and hard people the chance to try their hand at playing the gamelan, a traditional Balinese percussion instrument. The Deaf Adults Workshop is free and will be held at St Luke's, Old Street, London, on Thursday 21 June 2007 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.