Hello, my name Tamara. I’m currently doing a week of work experience with DOT Sign Language. The reason I’m so interested in BSL is because both my parents are deaf. I’ve grown up in the deaf community and have many deaf or hard-of-hearing friends.

As a CODA (child of deaf adults) I have many responsibilities when it comes to everyday life. For example, just a trip to the shops will require for me to act as an interpreter for my mum. Any time that she will have to talk to strangers I will need to be her translator because of the communication barrier.

If more people learnt BSL this wouldn’t need to happen. I believe that sign language can benefit so many people. Hearing people will be able to easily communicate with the deaf, and people like my mum won’t struggle on a daily basis.

I think that employees from various businesses should be taught BSL in basic training, for example: flight attendants, doctors, receptionists, waiting staff, and many more.

This is why I am encouraging people to do level 1 BSL. I have done levels 1 to 3 with the aim of raising deaf awareness, especially in the workplace. Hopefully, by doing this, the quality of life will be improved for deaf people, and they won’t have to experience difficulties on a day-to-day basis.