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WDDA celebrates after receiving £20k of National Lottery funding to deliver creative workshops for d/Deaf BSL users!

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We are VERY excited to announce that we have been granted almost £20,000 in National Lottery funding to support our ongoing work delivering creative workshops for d/Deaf British
Sign Language (BSL) users in Bournemouth and Dorchester.


Sessions will be led by professional artists from CoCreate with BSL communication support provided by DCS Ltd.

Monthly ‘Coffee and Craft Sessions’ at Bournemouth Deaf Club. Informal social sessions; open to all d/Deaf/BSL users.

Regular Art Sessions at Dorchester Arts Centre for a core group of d/Deaf/BSL users from across Dorset (all members of Dorset Deaf Activities Group – DDAG) who have a particular interest in; and need for; regular arts activities.

This project will offer social opportunities in an accessible; supportive environment, meaningful activity; build creative skills and encourage self-expression. This funding will also help Bournemouth Deaf Club to re-establish itself as a social hub for the d/Deaf community.

This project was made possible thanks to #NationalLottery players. To find out more email admin@wdda.co.uk or call/text 07793284109

KODAK Digital Still Camera

BSL Level 2 Access Course

Objectives:

  • Develop receptive skills to be able to understand everyday signed explanations or descriptions on a range of topics, but focussing on Holiday & Travel, Shopping & Spending and Food & Drink.
  • Use BSL to provide personal, social or work information in presentations using correct: sign order, handshapes, pace and flow, signing space, placement and referents, role shift, non manual features.
  • Understand and take part in routine conversations in BSL using appropriate vocabulary, correct sign order, recognise questions, responses, requests and opinions.

Aims:

  • The aim of the course is to increase your confidence in using and following conversations and presentations in BSL. By the end of the course you will have extended the range of your vocabulary and linguistics and be ready to complete further access Level studies in preparation for full Level 2 assessments from Signature.
  • Learners should have achieved BSL 1, as the course will build upon these skills. However, there will be an opportunity for those to re-take parts of BSL 1 if required, alongside the development of your skills towards level 2.

For further information about the Signature BSL Level 2 course specification go to; www.signature.org.uk

There is no qualification or examination attached to this course. On successful completion of the course and qualification you will be ready to begin study for formal qualifications at Level 2.

No course dates available at this time.

Social Coffee Morning

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Join Wiltshire and Dorset Deaf Association for a social coffee morning at Bournemouth Deaf Club on Friday 14th July 2023.

– Coffee & Cake
– Natter
– Scrabble and table games
– Quiz

This event is open to anyone in the d/Deaf or Hard of Hearing community. No need to book. Drop into Bournemouth Deaf Club 10am-1pm. Email Zoe at admin@wdda.co.uk or call/text 07793284109 for more information.

https://fb.me/e/HXqzAh6R

Law changes open doors to deaf jurors

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Sign language interpreters are to be permitted in jury rooms in England and Wales, enabling most deaf people to take part in jury service for the first time.

The planned legal change announced on Monday will amend strict rules that mandate only the 12 selected members of a jury can be present during private deliberations to also allow for a British Sign Language interpreter where needed.

While there is no specific ban on deaf people serving on juries, many have previously been found ineligible to serve or left to rely on lip-reading and limited hearing during private jury discussions.

Tune in to BBC Radio Wiltshire tomorrow morning (12/03/21) at 7:40am to catch WDDA Trustee, George Raggett, give our reaction to the news that the law has been reformed to allow BSL Interpreters to assist Deaf Jurors in jury trials.

104.3 & 103.5 FM I DAB bbc.co.uk/radiowiltshire

Time to learn something new?

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With coronavirus having put the world on hold for so many of us why not use this time to build your skillset and learn something new?

Given the current Covid-19 crisis we have temporarily moved all of our BSL classes online.  This means you can join our next ‘BSL Workshop for Beginners’ from home.

Qualification: None – Informal teaching and assessment.

Entry Requirements: There is no prior knowledge or experience required.

Course Details: The aim of the workshop is for you to develop and practice BSL skills at your own level. You will meet and sign with other students and tutors in an informal and fun online environment. It is a fantastic opportunity to prepare for the start of formal courses or assessments.

Assessment: There is no formal assessment, but the tutors will provide continuous feedback on your progress throughout the sessions.

Progression: The workshop will enable you to make informed decisions about other courses of study from Level 1 to 3 that you could move on to.

Workshop date: Saturday 12th December 2020

Time: 10am-1pm

Duration: 3 hours

Course Venue: Online via Zoom video conferencing platform

For more information, or to book, please contact admin@wdda.co.uk or complete and return the online enrolment form below.

Online BSL Workshop Enrolment Form

BSL Conversation Class

Join our BSL Conversation Class.

This class will develop and practise your skills to communicate using British Sign Language (BSL) in everyday situations.

You will have completed a BSL Level 1 course (or equivalent) and have a basic knowledge of the subject.

You will further develop skills in sentence structure and grammar used in BSL and increase your range of vocabulary for describing people and animals; rooms in a home and at work; leisure activities and food and drink.  There is no qualification attached to this course.

Registrations for our BSL Conversation Class with Amber running on Tuesday mornings 10am-12pm at Longfleet Baptist Church in Poole will open in late August 2024.

Our next BSL Conversation Class starts on Tuesday 10th September 2024 and will run at Longfleet Baptist Church in Poole.

Course cost: £98.

To register please click on the link below:

BSL Conversation Class September 2024

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No Subtitles in Real Life

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Please show your support for this inspirational team of young people, part of the NCS – National Citizen Service​: ‘No Subtitles in Real Life’ based in Weymouth, Dorset and sign their petition to make basic sign language a requirement in customer services.

To help raise awareness for people with hearing difficulties the team will be organising a march through Weymouth Town Centre, Dorset on 30 July 2019 where they will introduce members of the public to some basic British Sign Language.

Do you think sign language should become a basic requirement? If so, sign NOW!
Remember: There are no subtitles in real life.

https://www.change.org/p/uk-parliament-customer-service-workers-have-a-basic-understanding-of-bsl

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Launch of WDDA Deaf Communication Card

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You asked, we delivered!  WDDA is pleased to introduce Deaf Communication Cards to help improve the experience of the 2000+ Deaf BSL users accessing services in Dorset.

The purpose of the wallet-sized cards is to help identify patients/service users immediately as deaf and that there is a need for communications support.  The card also includes details of local BSL interpreter services and a 24 hour contact number so that healthcare providers/service providers know how to book a BSL interpreter.

Now that we have the WDDA Deaf Communication Card we want to get them into the hands of every Deaf BSL user in Dorset!

deaf communication card

 

We are providing these cards free of charge to all Deaf BSL users so please just get in touch if you would like one.  If you are an agency working with Deaf BSL users and would be interested in holding a supply of cards to give to your service users please email admin@wdda.co.uk.

We are currently looking at distribution points – local Deaf Clubs, Audiology Departments, Libraries… We’d value your input on this.  Please comment below with your suggestions.

 

Coming soon – WDDA Hard of Hearing Communication Cards.

 

Show the Deaf community that you care

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Did you know that WDDA offers bespoke BSL training packages for local organisations, businesses and workplaces? Our Bite Sized Introduction to BSL Communication Skills course can be tailored for your specific needs and delivered at your workplace https://bit.ly/2If3oS4

 

Make your business more accessible to the Deaf community

Did you know that WDDA offers bespoke BSL training packages for local organisations, businesses and workplaces? Our Bite Sized Introduction to BSL Communication Skills course can be tailored for your specific needs and delivered at your workplace https://bit.ly/2If3oS4 Upon completion of your training, your business will be presented with a certificate to display so you can show the Deaf community and the community at large that you care. Your business will also be listed as a Deaf Friendly business on our website with a link to your website. Email Zoe at admin@wdda.co.uk for more information.

Posted by Wiltshire & Dorset Deaf Association on Friday, 13 July 2018

Upon completion of your training, your business will be presented with a certificate to display so you can show the Deaf community and the community at large that you care. Your business will also be listed as a Deaf Friendly business on our website with a link to your website.  Email Zoe at admin@wdda.co.uk for more information.

Tailored BSL training packages for local organisations, businesses and workplaces

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Learn BSL in the workplace

Would you like your staff to have a basic knowledge of sign language for meeting and greeting your customers, clients or service users?

WDDA offers bespoke BSL training packages for local organisations, businesses and workplaces. Our Bite Sized Introduction to BSL Communication Skills course can be tailored for your specific needs and delivered at your workplace, ensuring good uptake and minimising pressure on valuable staff time and resources.

Course Outline:
CIS Bite Sized Introduction to BSL Communication Skills

Workplace BSL Training Needs Questionnaire:
WDDA BSL in your workplace training needs assessment

Interested?  Simply complete and return our Workplace BSL Training Needs Questionnaire to admin@wdda.co.uk. With this information we will be able to suggest a course of suitable content, duration and cost.

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