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Deaf Unity @deafunity.bsky.social · 1d

Our next Deaf Lives event is:
📅25th October
🕜5pm - 8pm
📍Hounslow Deaf Club, Lampton Family Hub, TW3 4JG
The Safer Communities Manager from London Borough of Hounslow will be attending to talk about safety in the local area.
See you there 🙌

Deaf Lives poster for next event on 25th October, 5pm - 8pm in Hounslow.

Deaf Unity @deafunity.bsky.social · 4d

Will your new year's resolution be to learn BSL?
Our next taster session is
📅 15th January
🕜6:30pm - 7:30pm
📍Zoom
These short courses are a fun way to try out the language before continuing onto a full course.
Sign up on our website 👇

BSL Taster Sessions - Deaf Unity

Have you thought about learning sign language but feel unsure about signing up? Join our Taster Sessions! F2F or online, let us know which you prefer

f.mtr.cool

Deaf Unity @deafunity.bsky.social · 10d

It's almost time for our Deaf Café this month. Come along on Friday 10th October at 6:30pm to Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre.

All BSL users and learners are welcome 🤗

Deaf Unity @deafunity.bsky.social · 11d

ALLFIE are currently looking for young Disabled people, aged 16 - 30, to be part of their campaign around the Government’s upcoming National SEND reforms and the Schools’ White paper.

If you would like to take part, please email: [email protected] with the subject "National SEND campaign".

Young Disabled People needed for ALLFIE's National SEND reform campaign!
Weekly meetings running from September to the end of October 2025.
Information about the campaign. Email events@allfie.org.uk if interested or for more information

Deaf Unity @deafunity.bsky.social · 11d

Applications are now open for @productionguild.bsky.social ’s Netflix Assistant Production Accountant Training, a 12-month paid programme for DDN accountants that combines classroom-based learning with hands-on experience through placements on @netflix.com productions. https://f.mtr.cool/jqtziiocrp

Netflix Assistant Production Accountant Training Scheme. Kickstart your film and HETV accounting career with our 12-month paid programme, specifically aimed at Deaf, Disabled or Neurodivergent (DDN) accountants.

Deaf Unity @deafunity.bsky.social · 15d

📣October Events 📣
Our Events page is full of upcoming accessible events around the country.
Here are a few of them!
For all events, visit - https://f.mtr.cool/qwovslmupw

#DeafCommunity

4th October
Deaf Rave Family Day Festival
BSL
London

4th October
Chiasato Minamimura:
Mark of a Woman
Deaf-led
Lowry, Salford

14th October
Deaf Lives Project - Citizens Advice
BSL interpreted
Bridgelink Centre, Hounslow

18th October
BSL Exhibition Tour with Chisato Minamimura
BSL
Copeland Gallery, London

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Deaf Unity @deafunity.bsky.social · 15d

Featured Jobs 📣

We have new opportunities on our jobs board from companies wanting to attract diverse talent.

For all open jobs, information and to apply, visit our jobs board - link in bio 🔗

#DeafJobs #DeafCareers

Background image of person using laptop. Featured jobs next to company logos:
MHFA England - Customer Support Advisor, London
Gorse - Communication Support Worker, Leeds
London Sport - Senior Data Manager, Hybrid remote/London
ITV - Finance Business Analyst, Manchester

Deaf Unity @deafunity.bsky.social · 16d

📣Calling all deaf bakers! 🧁

Have YOU got what it takes to bake in the famous white tent?

If you or someone you know is a talented home baker then apply now at https://f.mtr.cool/ibkxcizyfc or email them on [email protected]

Closing date is 1pm on Monday 15th December 2025.

Poster with information on how to apply for the next series of Great British Bake Off. Photo of the hosts holding macarons.

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Deaf Unity @deafunity.bsky.social · 17d

Happy International Translation Day!
We sat down with an experienced BSL and IS translator, Adam McCormick, to discuss all about what it's like being a translator and why it's important.
Full article link in bio 🔗
#InternationalTranslationDay #BSLtranslation

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Deaf Unity @deafunity.bsky.social · 18d

Earlier this month, we attended the Emergency Services Show. We spoke to lots of visitors interested in learning more about the work Deaf Unity does.

We're excited to deliver more Deaf Awareness Training to these vital services to help breakdown barriers 🙌

two Deaf Unity staff stood at the stand at the Emergency Services Show.

Audience taking part in a BSL taster, all signing a letter of the alphabet

Deaf Unity @deafunity.bsky.social · 21d

Our next Deaf Lives session is all about Universal Credit and Benefits.
📅14 October
🕜10am - 1pm
📍Bridgelink Centre, TW7 7QR
If you want more information, get in touch or visit our event page - https://f.mtr.cool/jolwfilxfo

#DeafCommunity

Deaf Lives Project – Universal Credit & Benefits | Deaf Unity

Join us for our FREE Deaf Lives event in October at Bridgelink Centre, Isleworth. Topic is universal credit, benefits and contact Citizens Advice.

f.mtr.cool

Deaf Unity @deafunity.bsky.social · 24d

Happy International Day of Sign Languages ✨

Did you know, there's over 300 different sign languages! How many do you know? 🤔

We're proud to support those on their journey to learning British Sign Language. Today, we have 6 courses running!

#InternationalDayOfSignLanguages #BSL

Swedish Sign Language was one of the first to be recognised as a language for deaf people by its government in 1981.
Argentine Sign Language is one of the most recent sign languages to be recognised by their government, which was in 2023.

Like spoken languages, sign languages have families. For example, ASL and LSF are from the Francosign family. BSL, Auslan and New Zealand Sign are from the BANZSL family.
International Sign (IS) is a system to allow cross-communication, often used at international events and conferences.

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Deaf Unity @deafunity.bsky.social · 25d

Our Deaf Lives Project is active in Hounslow. We've had some interesting workshops already and have lots more planned for the year.

Visit our Events page for more information - https://f.mtr.cool/geaejwmxsv

See you there ✨

#DeafLives #DeafCommunity

5 calendar pages with details of upcoming Deaf Lives events. Three images in the corner from previous events. At the bottom there is text saying Deaf Lives Project. Funded by Heathrow Community Trust and Barchester's Charitable Foundation.

Deaf Unity @deafunity.bsky.social · 29d

It's not too late to sign up to a BSL course 📣
Are you still considering why you should start or continue your journey?
Here are just a few of the reasons!
We offer Introduction to BSL and Signature L1 - L6.
Sign up on our website - link in bio 🔗

#LearnBSL #BSL

Reasons to learn British Sign Language
1. celebrate diversity
2. Work as a BSL interpreter
3. Be deaf aware
4. Learn a new skill
5. Increase job opportunities

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Deaf Unity @deafunity.bsky.social · Sep 18

Did you know Access to Work is a government scheme to support deaf and disabled people in work?

You can make your workplace more inclusive by understanding how it works and supporting employees where necessary.

Our full guide is available in BSL and English - link in bio

#NationalInclusionWeek

1. Benefits of Access to Work
Access to Work is a government scheme that helps support deaf and disabled people start and stay in work.

It can help you:

Hire disabled people with the skills you need

Retain an employee who develops a disability or health condition

Show that you value your employees

2. How does it work?
The employee will apply for Access to Work online or via phone.

They are eligible if they are:

Over 16

In, or about to start, paid employment

Live and work in England, Scotland and Wales

3. Job Interviews
Job applicants invited to interview can apply for communication support.

Make sure applicants are aware of this so they can have the appropriate support.

You could pay for the interview support direct to take away the extra work from the applicant.

4. How you can support
Encourage employees to apply for Access to Work and support with the application where needed.

The paperwork is an extra burden for the employee so consider allowing for ATW admin as part of the normal working hours.

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Deaf Unity @deafunity.bsky.social · Sep 17

Our stand is all set up at The Emergency Services Show 2025. We're excited to talk to visitors about how we can help them create an accessible emergency services.

📍If you're attending, come along to CZ38 and try your hand at BSL and learn more about the work Deaf Unity does.

#ESS2025

Image of Deaf Unity stand set up at the emergency services show.

Deaf Unity @deafunity.bsky.social · Sep 17

Our BSL taster sessions are a great way to introduce your workplace to the language, helping you to get one step closer to being more inclusive for deaf BSL users.
Contact us for more information:
🌐https://f.mtr.cool/qgigflrydi

#NowIsTheTime #NationalInclusionWeek

Image of people around a table practicing BSL with the teacher at the front of the class. Feedback text saying "The workshop was great - I found it especially impactful being in silence from the beginning right up until the very end of the session. Timothy was a great teacher!"

Deaf Unity @deafunity.bsky.social · Sep 16

In August, we enjoyed a fun and informative workshop from Adam Breeze at SignVideo. He informed us all about 999BSL, when and how to use it. We also had some demo calls with an interpreter to practice.

Thank you to everyone who attended and to Adam for the engaging session!

#DeafCommunity

Image of attendees at Deaf Lives each signing a letter/number from "999BSL".

Deaf Unity @deafunity.bsky.social · Sep 15

📣This week is National Inclusion Week!

Here are some tips on onboarding deaf employees and making sure your workplace is inclusive.

If you would like the full PDF resources or any support, please contact us - https://f.mtr.cool/qtdpakeyoa

#NowIsTheTime #NationalInclusionWeek

1. Deaf Awareness training
Deaf awareness training can help communication between your new employee and their colleagues.
It will empower hearing employees to communicate more confidently with their new colleague.

2. Make your workplace accessible
Consider whether you can make any changes to make your workplace more accessible. Some of these changes may be covered by Access to Work.
Example:
You could improve background noise by keeping music low, having carpets and soft furnishings.

3. Adapt onboarding materials
Consider if any of your onboarding materials or staff handbooks could be adapted.
Translate written materials to BSL.
Add captions to video content.
Add BSL in-vision to video content.
Use plain English

4. Accessible Meetings
Check if anyone needs communication support. For example, a BSL interpreter, lip speaker or text alternative to speech (notetaker, STTR, automatic captions).
Schedule breaks.
Test technology before the meeting.

Deaf Unity @deafunity.bsky.social · Sep 12

Did you attend any of our summer masterclass workshops? ☀️

We had some lovely feedback and it was great to see everyone eager to learn more about the language.

If you missed out, don't worry! Stay tuned for more workshops covering different topics and levels 👀

#LearnBSL #BSL #BritishSignLanguage

quote from feedback "Excellent workshop! The tutor explained non manual and manual features so well for the mixed ability group. I'll definitely do more classes and courses with Deaf Unity in future." Screenshot below from the workshop with 7 people.

Deaf Unity @deafunity.bsky.social · Sep 11

REMINDER 📣
Our next Deaf Lives event is 27th September, 5pm - 8pm at Hounslow Deaf Club.
We have exciting guest speaker, Punk Chef, attending!
More information and to register - https://f.mtr.cool/eovadpgelg

#DeafCommunity

Deaf Unity @deafunity.bsky.social · Sep 9

It's Lipreading Awareness Week 📣

Here are some tips to help when communicating with someone who lipreads.

Remember, there are communication professionals that can be booked to support, such as Lipspeakers, Speech-to-text reporters or notetakers.

#LipreadingAwarenessWeek

Tips for communicating with someone who lipreads.
1. Don’t shout or exaggerate your words, speak naturally.
2. Make sure the other person can see you well. Don't sit with your back to a light source and don't cover your mouth.
3. Find other ways of saying what you want to say rather than repeating.
4. When in a group setting, speak one at a time.
5. Be patient, it does matter.

Deaf Unity @deafunity.bsky.social · Sep 5

We have created a guide to using Access to Work for deaf employees. The resource was kindly funded by @churchillfship.bsky.social

You can find the guide in BSL and English here - https://f.mtr.cool/jfqmeyvucj

#DeafJobs #DeafCommunity #AccessToWork

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Deaf Unity @deafunity.bsky.social · Sep 4

⚠️EVENT POSTPONED⚠️
Due to the planned tube strikes next week, we have made the decision to postpone our Healthy Deaf Minds event. A new date will be announced as soon as possible. Stay tuned for updates!

Poster for healthy deaf minds event with writing over the top saying "postponed"

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Deaf Unity @deafunity.bsky.social · Sep 3

Each month we invite an inspirational deaf role model to share their story.

Our role model this month is Jeff McWhinney, outstanding leader and entrepreneur. Read the full article to find out more... 👀👇

https://f.mtr.cool/wroayhhppl