- Free online Family Sign Language classes are being offered to families across Wales to celebrate Deaf Awareness Week.
- The videos will be released every Friday for 12 weeks.
- Topics will include everything from colours and days of the week to communicating as a family.
- The National Deaf Children’s Society is hoping to tackle loneliness and isolation during this “very challenging time for many deaf children and their families.”
Families across Wales will get the chance to learn sign Language in the comfort of their own homes with free online classes launched Friday, May 8th.
The series of classes will be run by the National Deaf Children’s Society every Friday for 12 weeks as part of its Family Sign Language programme. The date was picked to mark Deaf Awareness Week (May 4th-8th).
Each class will use British Sign Language signs and cover a different topic, including vocabulary and conversation related to family life so parents and children can learn together.
Classes are running in Wales, Scotland, England and Northern Ireland, with a different tutor for each nation.
The first video will introduce the fingerspelling alphabet, while later videos will cover topics relevant to family life, like items around the home, colours and days of the week.
All the content has been produced remotely as part of the charity’s effort to provide resources and support for the families of deaf children.
Families can tune in to the pre-recorded classes via the charity’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi6DvQHbWiFqcQuNabqMO6w
Debbie Thomas, Head of Policy for Wales at the National Deaf Children’s Society Cymru, said:
“These are difficult times for families, but those with deaf children can experience additional challenges, particularly with communication. These classes aim to help families who want to boost their knowledge of sign language in a fun and friendly environment.
“We know lots of families want to learn sign language with their children and this is a free and accessible way to start. It’s open to everyone and we would love for families all over Wales to tune in and enjoy this introduction to signing.”
