About us
- - - About the BDA
      Deaf-led. Community focused.
      
      Learn more about who we are, what we stand for and how the British Deaf Association is led.
- - - Who we are
      
      Learn about our purpose, values and the direction that guides the BDA.
    - Who we are
  - - Leadership & governance
      
      Meet the people who lead the BDA and see how our organisation is governed and accountable.
    - Leadership & governance
  - - History & heritage
      
      Explore the BDA’s history and the heritage of the Deaf community
    - History & community
      - History
      - Deaf Museum
What we do
- - - What we do
      Our work across the UK
      
      We campaign for equality, champion BSL and deliver projects and services that support Deaf people and communities across the UK.
- - - Campaigns, policy and evidence
      
      We campaign for change and use evidence to improve the rights of Deaf people.
      
      Our campaigns
      
      Research and consultations
  - - Support, projects and programmes
      
      Find support and explore BDA work taking place across the UK.
      
      Advocacy
      
      Projects and programmes
  - - Information and resources
      
      Browse trusted BSL information, guidance and resources on topics that matter to Deaf people.
      
      BSL and Deaf culture
      
      Health and wellbeing
      
      History and heritage
  - - Celebrating BSL and Deaf culture
      
      Explore annual initiatives and celebrations that bring our community together.
      
      Sign Language Week
      
      National BSL Day
      
      International Week of Deaf People
      
      BSL Poet Laureate
News & events
- - - Latest news
      
      Be ready for emergencies The Government has advised households to be ready for emergencies by keeping some essential supplies at home. Being… 13 November 2026
      
      Petition for free BSL classes for families The BDA is working with campaigning organisation 38 Degrees on a new petition calling for free British Sign… 2 November 2026
      
      Joint stakeholder response – BATOD, BDA, Signature, NDCS, ABSLEP, BSL Curriculum Working Group Statement on workforce planning for BSL GCSE and Qualified Teachers of Deaf Children and Young People (QToDs) 2 November 2026
      
      All news
  - - Explore
      
      More news, organisations and places to discover.
      
      British Deaf News
      
      World Federation of the Deaf
      
      European Union of the Deaf
      
      SHARE: The Deaf Visual Archive
      
      Sign Language Week
Get involved
- - - Support us
      Help make a difference
      
      Support the BDA through donations, fundraising and other ways to give.
      
      Make a difference Make a donation and help support the BDA’s work with Deaf people and communities across the UK. Fundraise for the BDA Take on a challenge or organise your own fundraiser to help raise money for the BDA.
    - More ways to support
  - - Join us
      
      Work with us or become part of the BDA community.
      
      Current Job Opportunities See current vacancies and opportunities to work with the BDA. Become a Member Join the BDA and be part of our community.
      
      Stay connected
      
      Keep up with BDA news, campaigns and opportunities.
      
      Newsletter Sign up for BDA news, campaigns and important updates.
Training & Consultancy
Contact
- - - Get in touch
      How can we help?
      
      For general enquiries, use our online contact form and we’ll help make sure your message reaches the right BDA team.
      
      Contact us Send us a message using our online form.
    - Follow us
  - - Our offices
      Find your local BDA team
      
      Find contact details for BDA offices and teams across the UK.
      
      Head Office London England Derby Northern Ireland Belfast Scotland Glasgow Wales Cardiff Deaf Museum Manchester
Membership
Safeguarding
Donate

About us
- - - About the BDA
      Deaf-led. Community focused.
      
      Learn more about who we are, what we stand for and how the British Deaf Association is led.
- - - Who we are
      
      Learn about our purpose, values and the direction that guides the BDA.
    - Who we are
  - - Leadership & governance
      
      Meet the people who lead the BDA and see how our organisation is governed and accountable.
    - Leadership & governance
  - - History & heritage
      
      Explore the BDA’s history and the heritage of the Deaf community
    - History & community
      - History
      - Deaf Museum
What we do
- - - What we do
      Our work across the UK
      
      We campaign for equality, champion BSL and deliver projects and services that support Deaf people and communities across the UK.
- - - Campaigns, policy and evidence
      
      We campaign for change and use evidence to improve the rights of Deaf people.
      
      Our campaigns
      
      Research and consultations
  - - Support, projects and programmes
      
      Find support and explore BDA work taking place across the UK.
      
      Advocacy
      
      Projects and programmes
  - - Information and resources
      
      Browse trusted BSL information, guidance and resources on topics that matter to Deaf people.
      
      BSL and Deaf culture
      
      Health and wellbeing
      
      History and heritage
  - - Celebrating BSL and Deaf culture
      
      Explore annual initiatives and celebrations that bring our community together.
      
      Sign Language Week
      
      National BSL Day
      
      International Week of Deaf People
      
      BSL Poet Laureate
News & events
- - - Latest news
      
      Be ready for emergencies The Government has advised households to be ready for emergencies by keeping some essential supplies at home. Being… 13 November 2026
      
      Petition for free BSL classes for families The BDA is working with campaigning organisation 38 Degrees on a new petition calling for free British Sign… 2 November 2026
      
      Joint stakeholder response – BATOD, BDA, Signature, NDCS, ABSLEP, BSL Curriculum Working Group Statement on workforce planning for BSL GCSE and Qualified Teachers of Deaf Children and Young People (QToDs) 2 November 2026
      
      All news
  - - Explore
      
      More news, organisations and places to discover.
      
      British Deaf News
      
      World Federation of the Deaf
      
      European Union of the Deaf
      
      SHARE: The Deaf Visual Archive
      
      Sign Language Week
Get involved
- - - Support us
      Help make a difference
      
      Support the BDA through donations, fundraising and other ways to give.
      
      Make a difference Make a donation and help support the BDA’s work with Deaf people and communities across the UK. Fundraise for the BDA Take on a challenge or organise your own fundraiser to help raise money for the BDA.
    - More ways to support
  - - Join us
      
      Work with us or become part of the BDA community.
      
      Current Job Opportunities See current vacancies and opportunities to work with the BDA. Become a Member Join the BDA and be part of our community.
      
      Stay connected
      
      Keep up with BDA news, campaigns and opportunities.
      
      Newsletter Sign up for BDA news, campaigns and important updates.
Training & Consultancy
Contact
- - - Get in touch
      How can we help?
      
      For general enquiries, use our online contact form and we’ll help make sure your message reaches the right BDA team.
      
      Contact us Send us a message using our online form.
    - Follow us
  - - Our offices
      Find your local BDA team
      
      Find contact details for BDA offices and teams across the UK.
      
      Head Office London England Derby Northern Ireland Belfast Scotland Glasgow Wales Cardiff Deaf Museum Manchester
Membership
Safeguarding
Donate

Sylvia Simmonds

Sylvia Simmonds is a member of the BDA’s Board of Trustees.

8th September 2015

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British Deaf Association

The national voice of Deaf people in the UK. We campaign for equality, celebrate British Sign Language and support Deaf communities to thrive.

Contact us

We welcome your feedback and comments. Please feel free to get in touch.

bda@bda.org.uk
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We welcome your feedback and comments. Please feel free to get in touch:

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Registered charity - England and Wales (1031687) and Scotland (SC042409) Company No: 2881497 (England and Wales) - Copyright British Deaf Association 2026

Deaf-led. Community focused.

Who we are

Leadership & governance

History & heritage

Our work across the UK

Campaigns, policy and evidence

Support, projects and programmes

Information and resources

Celebrating BSL and Deaf culture

Latest news

Explore

Help make a difference

Join us

Stay connected

How can we help?

Find your local BDA team