In the Sensory and Physical Team, our ADIW is Debra May. Debra is Deaf. Debra works with children and young people (CYP) in schools and settings to develop their BSL skills and promote deaf identity. Debra follows the BSL curriculum when working with children and works closely with the CYP’s Teacher of the Deaf.
When Debra visits your school or setting please ensure the following information is shared with all staff:
Intercom or security gate
This can be very difficult for a Deaf person to access, as they can neither hear the intercom nor are they able to speak through it. Debra will ring the intercom three times, so the receptionist or staff will know that she is calling to enter the school grounds or the car park.
Room
A well-lit and quiet room is needed for the session to enable the Deaf child to learn BSL without any distractions, enabling Debra to deliver BSL effectively. Sessions held in an open learning area/corridor are not as effective as the child can be easily distracted by other children or staff walking by.
Teaching assistants, learning support assistants or support staff
They are expected to and need to stay with the child during the session. This is important as they can learn BSL at the same time as the child. It also gives them the opportunity to clarify or correct their signing skills.
They can use the opportunity to write a list of words that they need to use with the Deaf child, and they can ask Debra for specific signs related to what is being taught in class
The BSL sessions work better when a TA or LSA is present, as they can help manage the Deaf child’s behaviour, and it also means that Debra is not left alone with the child.
Using voice
Debra’s sessions will rely solely on BSL, and she will encourage the Deaf child not to use their voice during the session. If the child continues to talk to the T.A, we ask that the T.A. encourages and reminds the child to ‘switch off’ their voice. Debra will show and explain to the child that she doesn’t wear hearing aids so can’t hear their voice.
Background noise
Additional background noise can be distracting for the Deaf child. Debra might ask the child to take off or switch off their hearing aids or cochlear implants for a short period of time to enable the child to focus on learning BSL. This will only happen if the child is happy to do this.