BDA Sign Community : July 2007

You are here: » » » » July 2007

July 2007

Last month I wrote of Francis Maginn and his drive to see Deaf people in charge of their destiny in a time where serious attempts were made for eradication of BSL to ensure the successful integration of every Deaf person into the wider society through Oralism in education.

In this month’s article I wish to build on that article further by drawing your attention to the purpose of the British Deaf Association, of the Area Deaf Associations and the membership of the organisation. As you may be aware, there are debates from members and the other supporters, as to whether the BDA should consider alternative directions aside from the current important emphasis on British Sign Language.

British Sign Language was not recognised in the terms as we know it now for most of the BDA’s (at the time British Deaf and Dumb Association) history, but it was set up to preserve the way of life of Deaf people, for the rights to communicate in sign language and to gain a collective political voice. We have been reasonably successful in ensuring the greater emphasis of the distinctiveness of Sign Language into the heart of the BDA, some of the visible examples of that were in the adoption of ‘Sign Community’ as a new brand name of the organisation and ‘SignMatters’ for our monthly magazine and our work on the new BSL curriculum.

Language is a very important part of our culture, without it there can be no Deaf Culture or Deaf Community. Wider society is actively interested and prepared to learn BSL and this is a very important market that the BDA should be involved with and it is always right for Deaf people to lead the way in how BSL can be best taught, shared and enjoyed.

There are concerns that have been expressed that the BDA had seemly paid too much attention on BSL for the wider society with not enough focus on our own Community. The whole board and I fully understand this view, which is why I am writing to clarify the importance of Area Deaf Associations and memberships.

On 30th June I was privileged to witness at first hand the North East Deaf Association’s first ever Summer Fair at Gateshead International Stadium and despite horrendous wet weather that had caused cancellations of the outdoor elements and a drop in attendance, the indoor event involved well over 240 adults and children. There was a variety of stalls and entertainment such as the rocking rubber bull rodeo which I gladly rode representing the BDA well with a reputable time of 20 seconds, after a good number of other BDA members from the area encouraged me to do so in the positive spirit of the day.

My point is that the event was organised by Deaf people themselves, BDA members who were elected onto their local Area Deaf Association (ADA), and they took on the responsibilities to organise rallies, social events and other aspects such as a newsletter which is being put together for members throughout the region.

In another separate example, Deaf Association Wales invited me to their 40th Anniversary Ball on 21st April at Angel Hotel in Cardiff, which was also a very successful event enjoyed by everyone who attended. Yet at both events, people were asking me when the BDA would be doing more for Deaf people in the area? I said that the BDA was always, and still is, a member-led organisation, we are strong in the ethos of Deaf people running our own organisation for Deaf people and that ADA perfectly encapsulated that important ethos.

Francis Maginn was a person who actively got involved and offered his skills and time for the benefit of the Deaf Community, and there have been many other people, both Deaf and hearing people who have likewise offered their generosity of time and spirit for the Deaf cause down the years.

I understand that many organisations are moving away from the dependence on voluntary contributions and toward a professional model. The BDA do have our valued staff delivering essential services and we do aim to always employ people rather than rely on voluntary work. However, as previously stated, the BDA is a member-led organisation, and Deaf people always know best of what they would want to see in their own respective regions. So, ADA has an important role and you as a BDA member/Associated member can support that.

The BDA is working on their financial recovery and our main attention is primarily towards that necessary effort for the time being, though it is our long term aim to see the BDA regaining the national political leadership in representing the Deaf Community. This was much more visible in the past, as it was very much so at the birth of the BDA itself, in a response to the massive swing to the Oralism for the education of Deaf children in the late 19th century. It is right and proper that our Congress at Southport this month is related to Education and you can make an important impact by being there and influencing the future directions of the BDA and our response to the Education.

The ADA agenda will also play a big part in the Congress programme and there is an opportunity to contribute to that and ensure that every member of the BDA can take a greater ownership of our unique and important organisation. We look forward to be working more closely with you all.