Deaf Awareness Week

British Sign Language Plan

The University is launching its second British Sign Language (BSL) Plan for 2024 – 2030. The updated Plan outlines our goals and actions, which aim to advance the use and prominence of BSL throughout the University over the next six years. These directives draw from the Scottish Government’s BSL National Plan (2023 – 2029) and are aligned withthe University of Edinburgh Strategy Vision 2030. 

BSL is an officially recognised language of Scotland and is profoundly important for deaf, deafblind and hard-of-hearing individuals. Moray House was one of the pioneering institutions in the UK to acknowledge BSL as a distinct language, with the term ‘British Sign Language’ first documented here in 1975.

New BSL signs

In collaboration with The Royal Society, the University’s Scottish Sensory Centre (SSC) has released 400 new signs surrounding the topic of energy and sustainability, a crucial step to ensuring inclusion for BSL users in discussions and debates surrounding climate change.

The Science Museum Group launched a film of recent work at the National Collections Centre, where Dr Audrey Cameron worked iwth a group of scientists from the Royal Holloway University and the Science Museum at the NCC in Swindon last September. Dr Cameron said, “it was a unique project – we were looking at historical scientific objects to inspire discussions and generate ideas for new signs”.

Dr Cameron and Rachel O'Neill also worked with the BSL glossary team to film new BSL signs for tech terms from the SSC glossary, filmed with the North Star team on behalf of Audi.

Inclusive initiatives

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Earlier this year, the SSC secured a £1000 grant from Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership and the City of Edinburgh Council to host science sessions for deaf, deafblind and hard-of-hearing children in Edinburgh. Led by Dr Cameron and a team of deaf scientists, the project aimed to establish a science club at Moray House. Tailored workshops engaged children aged 6-16 with hands-on activities like bubble making and CSI investigations. Accessibility was ensured with SSC’s STEM in BSL glossary, sign language interpreters and electronic notetakers. Dr Cameron said, "we are grateful for the collaboration with deaf scientists, colleagues at MHSES, and local education authorities in developing the workshops".

Recognising the dedicated work and achievements of our colleagues, the SSC was Highly Commended at this year’s Disability Smart Awards, for the Disability Smart Inclusive Communication Campaign Award. This was in recognition of the development of 400 new BSL signs covering key environmental science terms. 

Moray House is dedicated to improving inclusivity in discussions and is hugely proud of the incredible work our colleagues do to achieve this goal of inclusion. 

Related information:

Scottish Sensory Centre

Sign of the times: Science Museum opens National Collections Centre for unique BSL workshop

A sign of things to come│Audi

British Sign Language Plan│University of Edinburgh

Inclusive Education (MSc/PgDip/PgCert)

Deaf Learners

Dr Audrey Cameron │ BBC