British Sign Language course in Stornoway

by Ali McLennan

Eight staff in the Western Isles from the Council and NCH Scotland have taken part in a five day course covering Introduction to BSL and BSL at School, College or Work.

Both units were assessed by the Council for Advancement of Communication with Deaf People (CACDP). Passing a third unit, Conversational BSL, would give a CACDP certificate at Level 1 in the National Language Standards and it is hoped that this can be done later.

It is also possible to progress to Levels 2 and 3, but the students feel they are a long way from applying for a job on See Hear!

In 2005, the STUC Highlands and Islands Skills and Lifelong Learning Team, in partnership with UNISON, the FBU, the Rail Union Learning Project and Highland Deaf Communication Project developed the Sign Here initiative, a deaf awareness project for union members across the Highlands.

The project received funding from the European Social Fund and the Scottish Executive (through the Scottish Union Learning Fund).

In 2006, the project found eight Employers as new partners - Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Highland Council, H & I Fire & Rescue Service, Grampian Fire & Rescue Service, Caledonian MacBrayne, First Scotrail, NHS Highland and Scottish Ambulance. UNISON locally supported the students by supplying tea & coffee and soup & sandwiches.

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