The British Deaf Association (BDA) announced at the BDA 125 Years Congress in Torquay that there will be an annual celebration day entitled “Signing Families Day” held every year from this September.
Making the announcement, Dr Terry Riley OBE, said: “As Chair, I and the Board of Trustees are proud of what the BDA has achieved over the year. Today is about looking forward.
“BDDA was set up for two simple reasons – education and Sign Language, both are intertwined. Education and Language
“This is why I am delighted to announce something exciting and new.
“Today we are going to launch a brand new annual celebration day. Its aim is to promote sign language in the family. It will give people who use sign language with the family something to be proud of. They will no longer feel in a minority, but be part of a wider community. By having this day, we can all be united with one aim – to see and celebrate sign language being used in the family. The day will be designated:
“Signing Families Day”
Each year it will be held on the first Saturday before 17th September.”
This year it will take place on Saturday 17th September 2016 to celebrate the first anniversary of the passing of the BSL Scotland Act. A momentous occasion when Scotland said “Sign Language is Cool”
ENDS
About the British Deaf Association
The British Deaf Association (BDA), a registered charity in England, Wales and Scotland, was founded in 1890. BDA is the only Deaf-led organisation that represents the Deaf community. Its two main aims are the promotion of BSL and the right to
The BDA stands for Deaf Equality, Access and Freedom of Choice and its work is focused on Deaf people being independent and able to make informed decisions. Deaf people can do anything a hearing person can – they just use a different language to do it. The charity champions the rights of Deaf people to use their first language – British Sign Language, which is a language in its own right, separate and distinct from spoken English.
bda.org.uk
Follow us on Twitter @BDA_Deaf and Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BritishDeafAssociation
For more information, please contact:
David Buxton at the BDA
T: +44 (0)20 7697 4140
E: directorcc@bda.org.uk
