Next week is a very important week in our calendar. Deaf Awareness Week runs from May 14th – 20th, and is an opportunity for all of us who are connected to the Deaf World to make as many people as possible aware of Deaf issues.

At Dot, every week is packed full of teaching BSL courses and Deaf Awareness sessions, but next week is particularly busy!

We have been approached by the Government and asked to teach Deaf Awareness and an introduction to British Sign Language to a group of MPs in Parliament. After the campaigning about Access to Work, and the disappointment of BSL still not being introduced as a GCSE, we are very encouraged that a group of MPs have recognised the importance of being able to communicate with Deaf BSL users.

We are also teaching the first session of a 10 week course to another group working for the Government Department for International Development in readiness for their summer conference – a superb example they are setting.

We will also be taking part in Global Diversity Week at SCOR – a worldwide company which specialises in re-insurance and risk management. They recognise the importance in having a team who can communicate with Deaf colleagues and customers. I look forward to sharing the photos.

On top of this it is assessment time for many of our students taking Level 1, 2 and 6 BSL qualifications. We recognise how hard you are all working and wish you all good luck!