Celebrating UK Disability History Month with InSignLanguage!

United Kingdom observes Disability History Month on a yearly basis from 20th November to 20th December. It is a time dedicated to exploring the history, achievements, and ongoing struggles of disabled people. It is a time for reflection, education, and action, ensuring that the rights and contributions of disabled individuals are recognised and respected.  

About the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community This month is particularly significantly notable. One of the most powerful symbols of progress has been the recognition of the British Sign Language (BSL) as an official language of the UK in 2003. This was possible to accomplish due to the decades of campaigning by the Deaf community, who fought for the right to have their language respected and valued. Yet, despite this recognition, many Deaf and Hard of Hearing people still encounter barriers to education, employment, healthcare, and social participation. Accessibility remains an ongoing issue, and progress requires collective commitment. 

The D/deaf community faces pervasive systemic barriers that impact every aspect of life, primarily rooted in inaccessible communication methods. From varied settings where the lack of qualified sign language interpreters can lead to serious medical errors, to educational systems that often fail to provide adequate support and literacy access, the multitude of challenges are profound. In the workplace, D/deaf individuals contend with higher unemployment and discrimination while in daily life, basic functions like accessing emergency information or booking appointments are often impossible due to the reliance on exclusive audio communication. These barriers accumulate, which lead to increased isolation and significant difficulties in navigating the society without the correct and accessible supports in place.

This is where InSignLanguage bridges the gap between the Deaf and Hearing communities! 

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Our services include - Professional BSL Interpreting Services – offering professional BSL interpretation to ensure events, meetings, and public services are fully inclusive.  

Translation Services– equipping individuals and organisations with the skills to communicate confidently and inclusively. Translating from English to British Sign Language (video) and BSL to written English—accurately and professionally  D/deaf Awareness and Outreach – providing a greater understanding of the Deaf culture through varied format of workshops which also involves the importance of accessibility and inclusion in everyday and professional life.  Access to Work – empowering Deaf job seekers to find meaningful employment and supporting them and their employers every step of the way.  Video Relay Service (VRS) - Video Relay Service (VRS) allows Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals to communicate with hearing people through a live interpreter over video. With just a touch of a button, everyone can ensure inclusive and effortless interactions.  

The theme of Disability History Month focuses on access and equity, the two principles central to InSignLanguage. Accessibility is not an optional privilege; it is a fundamental right. Equality ensures that every individual, regardless of ability, has fair opportunities to participate fully in the society. 

With the choice to engage with BSL whether through interpreter provision or learning the language, organisations and individuals play a crucial role in making overall inclusion a reality. Disability History Month reminds us that the responsibility lies with all of us to remove barriers and create a more equitable society.  

At InSignLanguage, we are proud to contribute to this movement. We believe that communication is a bridge, not a barrier and through a shared commitment we can build a future in which everyone is heard and valued.  

This Disability History Month, we encourage you to participate, learn, reflect, and act. Together, we can continue the progress made by generations before us and ensure that accessibility and inclusion are embedded in the future. Our hands are enough to communicate, it is time for all of us to embrace the diversity in communication methods!