UK’s first BSL-inclusive street paving way for deaf children to be included on Halloween trick or treating for first time – Wales Online
In a bid to make Halloween celebrations more inclusive, new research reveals that 79% of deaf children feel like they’re missing out on the fun of Halloween, with nearly half (45%) avoiding festivities due to fears of not being understood. Factors such as darkness, mask-wearing, and a lack of British Sign Language (BSL) use create communication challenges on October 31st. To address this issue, Cadbury Fingers and the National Deaf Children’s Society have established the UK’s first BSL inclusive street in Worcester. This initiative aims to engage with the deaf community, with BSL taught to neighbours along the street, ensuring 99% of households are involved.
Phrases like ‘trick or treat’ and ‘you look spooky’ have been introduced to neighbours of six-year-old Ada, who is deaf, ahead of this year’s Halloween celebrations. By using BSL, Ada can now participate in the tradition, with households displaying stickers indicating their BSL-friendly status, making interaction easier for Ada and other deaf individuals. The initiative comes at a time when 60% of the population find it challenging to communicate with deaf individuals, with only 8% feeling confident in using BSL. Efforts to improve communication include typing messages on phones or speaking slowly to aid lip-reading, as highlighted by the research.
To support the learning of BSL, a series of Halloween expressions are available online at www.signwithfingers.cadbury.co.uk, with 71% of people expressing a desire to enhance their BSL skills. Tilly, mother to Ada who is profoundly deaf, is instrumental in driving this change within her community. Ada and her mother feature in a new film showcasing their first trick or treating experience, encouraging others to engage with the Sign with Fingers website and learn basic BSL phrases.
Cadbury Fingers’ Anastasia Lutskovskaya emphasised the importance of basic BSL knowledge in fostering inclusivity, especially during Halloween when masks and costumes pose additional barriers to communication. Susan Daniels, Chief Executive at the National Deaf Children’s Society, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the need for increased deaf awareness and basic sign language skills. The collaborative ‘Sign with Fingers Big & Small’ campaign aims to raise awareness about communication challenges faced by deaf children and promote inclusivity in interactions.
For those keen to engage with the deaf community by learning BSL, resources and phrases can be accessed at https://signwithfingers.cadbury.co.uk/. The initiative seeks to create more inclusive and enjoyable celebrations for everyone, emphasising the significance of simple gestures in making deaf individuals feel included in moments of sharing and joy.