Deaf Awareness and British Sign Language

It is estimated that around 9 million people in the UK are Deaf or are hard of hearing, and Deafness is the third most common disability in the world (though most Deaf people do not view their Deafness as a disability. Instead, it is seen as a natural part of a cultural experience to be shared with friends and colleagues).

Deaf awareness means thinking about what it means to be Deaf and taking practical steps to ensure that you are personally helping your workplace be accessible, inclusive and welcoming to Deaf colleagues and customers.

To learn more, join us as we welcome Kathleen Grehan, Director & Teacher, Dot Sign Language, to speak to us about this important subject that will impact us all in different ways.

During this session, which is open to all Insurance Institute of Sussex members, Kathleen will challenge us to think more about Deaf Culture and how we can communicate more effectively with Deaf people. She will also give an introduction to British Sign Language and demonstrate how you can use this to meet and greet BSL users.

Online Booking
If you would like to join us for this free, one-hour seminar, please use our online booking system by clicking on the Book Now button below.

Taking place in the upstairs meeting room at Café Rouge in Haywards Heath, this event is scheduled to start promptly at 6.15pm and a light buffet will be served from 5.45pm onwards.

Please note that to help ensure that everyone gets the maximum benefit from this event, numbers are strictly limited to just 15 delegates, so early booking is recommended.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this event, you will:

• be challenged to think about Deaf Culture and how you can communicate with Deaf people

• know BSL phrases so you can meet and greet Deaf BSL users

• know how to fingerspell, and including vocabulary specific to your workplace

Getting There
Café Rouge is about 10 minutes' walk from Haywards Heath Station. Limited on-street parking is available close to the venue and the nearest car park is a short walk away, off Heath Road. Free parking is also available at Clair Hall car park which is located in Perrymount Road near the station.

Important Note: This event takes place in the first floor meeting room at Café Rouge which is only accessible by stairs. There is no lift available at the venue.

About our Speaker
Kathleen is a Deaf graduate of the social sciences and a qualified teacher of British Sign Language (BSL) with a particular interest in BSL linguistics.

Since starting Dot Sign Language in 2011, she has made it her mission to deliver first class and inspiring lessons in BSL and Deaf Awareness.

Kathleen enjoys going out to businesses, NHS providers, local schools and youth groups to give them a taste of BSL, Deaf awareness and Deaf culture.

A priority for her has always been to make the learning process enjoyable, as much a social event as an educational experience. She strongly believes that we should try and engage people of all ages and get them to learn this beautiful, visual language. This way we can reduce the gap between Deaf and hearing people and help eliminate social isolation of Deaf people.