Sign language

Doug Alker, BDA chairman said: "The BDA's new Deaf-created and led BSL Curriculum, including Introduction to BSL and Foundation BSL courses, are aimed at those who want to learn basic BSL in six weeks.

Susan Daniels, chief executive of the National Deaf Children’s Society said: "The National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) welcomes these new initiatives from the British Deaf Association.

"NDCS believes that deaf children and their families should have appropriate information and support to choose the best method of communication for them.

"For families who chose to use British Sign Language (BSL) the new BDA course, training pack and websites will help people learn sign language.

"However for families learning BSL there is currently no curriculum designed for family life, and particularly to help parents learning to sign with their deaf child.

"Current BSL courses are based around signs appropriate to adult life and interactions but do not include the signs and phrases needed for telling nursery rhymes and fairy stories, playing make-believe games or many other everyday family activities.

"This is why NDCS is working to develop a pilot family sign language curriculum to help parents, siblings and family members sign with deaf children.  

"The project, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, will develop a curriculum in consultation with parents of deaf children, BSL tutors and other professionals, looking at age-appropriate language and how the curriculum can be delivered. It is due for completion in June 2005."