BID Services arranged a number of events to mark Deaf Awareness Week, which took place from Monday 28th June to Sunday 4th July 2010.

On Monday 28th June from 12pm - 2pm, Birmingham's Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress helped us launch Deaf Awareness Week. Deaf and hearing children from schools all over Birmingham released balloons from the Council House.

Tuesday 29th June throughout the day saw Deaf staff from BID Services and the Deaf Cultural Centre visit local schools in Ladywood to share signed stories with children.

There was an Open Day at the Deaf Cultural Centre on Friday 2nd July from 9am - 1pm. This was a great opportunity for businesses to find out about BID Services and the range of services we offer to deaf and hard of hearing people and also to find out how they can support them in the workplace. Visitors learned about Access to Work, how to book an interpreter and even how to finger-spell their own names.

In Tune, a Deaf Variety Show took place on Friday 2nd July from 7pm - 11pm at the Deaf Cultural Centre.

There were performances by talented artists and musicians including acclaimed flutist Ruth Montgomery, BSL Poet Richard Carter, Sign Song Performer Jayne Fletcher, Ricky 'Ricardo' Hoye, the winner of Deaf Idol and a combination of drama and sign songs by InteGreat Theatre from Words, Signs and Vibes. Special guests for the evening show were the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress.