New sign language boards at playgrounds hope to boost communication skills through play

Funded by the National Deaf Children's Society, two boards have been put up at 10 playgrounds, showcasing the British Sign Language (BSL) fingerspelling alphabet and a selection of helpful words when playing.

Early years can have a profound impact on deaf children’s language and social skills and the aim is that the signs will improve and encourage interaction between all children through playful interaction in the playgrounds.

The grant was awarded as part of a scheme funding community projects that support the communication skills of deaf children.

Bryony Hughes runs Leeds Deaf Children’s Society, which is affiliated with the National Deaf Children's Society, and was the one to apply for the grant.

She said: “We needed to use the money to improve the communication skills of local deaf children and we thought that putting the signs in parks was a way that we could reach as many families across Leeds as possible

“The aim is that if more people, deaf and hearing, learn some basic BSL then it improves the skills of all involved, and also helps deaf people feel less isolated.

“Our son is profoundly deaf and wears cochlear implants. When he’s not wearing them, we sign with him and it’s important that he has an additional way of communicating with us, and also with other deaf people.”

The sign language boards have been installed in children’s play areas at Pudsey Park, Horsforth Hall Park, Bramley Park, Yeadon Tarnfield Park, Stanningley Park, Springhead Park Rothwell, Heritage Village, Blands Avenue Allerton Bywater, Cross Flatts Park, and East End Park.

Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for children and families, and Councillor Mohammed Rafique, executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, said: “The new signs are a great improvement to the playgrounds, encouraging interaction between all children, deaf and hearing. Learning basic BSL is useful to any person and we’re hoping that this will reach many local families and help them learn a new language.

“We work hard to be a child friendly city and it is important that all children feel represented and included in spaces designed for them.”

Angela Calder, of the National Deaf Children’s Society’s Community Grants programme, said: “This was a great idea from Leeds Deaf Children’s Society. We hope the new signs get people talking about British Sign Language and even using a few basic signs. It’s a really powerful way of helping deaf children feel more included.

“Our Community Grants programme is all about initiatives like this – enabling groups and communities all around the UK to make a real, tangible difference on the ground, helping deaf children and young people feel part of their communities.”

ENDS

This community grant was awarded as part of a pilot run by the National Deaf Children's Society. For more information, please visit: www.ndcs.org.uk/community-grants