Unheard Stories – Improving access for Deaf visitors

Slide 1: Improving Access for Deaf Visitors Linda Ellis, Wolverhampton Arts and Museums Service linda.ellis@wolverhampton.gov.uk

Slide 2:d/Deaf Visitors • The term Deaf is used for people that use sign language as their first language • People who use sign language as their first language tend to have lower reading skills than those whose first language is English • Some deaf people us sign supported English rather than British sign language • British sign language was recognised as an official language in March 2003 • Not all d/Deaf people can lip read • Deaf people are one of the most excluded groups in our society

Slide 3:Our Deaf visitors told us they wanted: • Any written information to be as short and as simple as possible • Information in sign language (BSL) • To be able to explore the exhibits independently • To hear stories about local peo