Deaf member of staff, Alison Leach, who is a Development/Project Officer at BID Services, attended assembly at Yarnfield Primary School to teach children the fingerspelling alphabet which was followed by the Rainbow song in British Sign Language. The children at the school were accompanied by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, Len and Gillian Gregory, both of whom happily participated in the session! Later on the same day, Alison did a repeat at Prince Albert Primary School.

The Open Morning on Wednesday 11th May, 2011 offered free BSL and Deaf Awareness Taster sessions to professionals and visitors. They had the opportunity to find out more about BID Services and the range of support that is offered to Deaf and hard of hearing people.

Representatives from the local Emergency Services were on hand with an ambulance car, fire engine and police van, all in the on-site car park, to demonstrate to visitors what they do for deaf people in cases of emergency. Some of the visitors were young deaf pupils from Braidwood School for the Deaf and they enjoyed the opportunity to interact with the paramedic, firemen and police woman and spent some considerable time asking lots of questions!

On the following Thursday, the Birmingham Deaf Community Group held a charity fundraising Car Wash at the Deaf Cultural Centre. Drivers were encouraged to fingerspell their names for a reduced rate. The BDCG managed to raise more than £100 with thanks to BID staff and visitors who brought in their cars.

Click here to have a look at more photos: http://on.fb.me/kyW8rO

 

 

Published 10th May 2011