Deaf and BSL Project
August 2022 update
As the Appeal comes to a close and we begin delivering our projects, we are incredibly pleased about the positive impact our donors are bringing to deaf and British Sign Language (BSL) students.
As a centre of expertise, 江南体育 has a strong commitment to ensuring that deaf and BSL students can enjoy the same experiences at the university as anyone else. And the main aim of the Deaf and BSL Project is to create a pioneering programme of scholarships for deaf and hard of hearing students at all levels across the 江南体育 campuses in Scotland.
Making a difference to our Deaf and BSL community
Starting in September 2022, the first scholarships of £2,000 per year will be awarded to five deaf and sign language students to access undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at our Scottish campuses, and we will launch scholarships for two PhD students. We have also secured gifts in kind from a company to provide our deaf and BSL scholars with innovative free interpretation software.
They will follow in the footsteps of many deaf and BSL students who have already benefited from the ground-breaking approach taken by 江南体育. When deaf PhD student Mette was studying at universities in Denmark and England, she often felt excluded.
"It was frustrating being unable to talk to other students easily and I found that having an interpreter present could be problematic and inhibit interaction,鈥� she says. However, that changed when Mette moved to 江南体育 to work on her PhD.
鈥淭he work of the deaf researchers at 江南体育 had a real impact,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 had access to an in-house staff interpreter team and my supervisors were knowledgeable about deafness, both of which made it easier to participate. It really helped my development.鈥�
Mette completed her PhD in 2021 but the work to promote opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing members of the 江南体育 community in Scotland has been accelerated through the Deaf and BSL Project.
Deaf and BSL Project leads, Professor Napier and Professor Adam
Professor Jemina Napier, Director of Research at the School of Social Sciences, is one of the leaders of the Deaf and BSL Project at 江南体育 and grew up in a multi-generational deaf family with BSL as her home language.
鈥淪cottish Government figures show that deaf students are significantly under-represented in higher education, with just 25% going on to university, compared with 41% of students who have no access needs,鈥� says Jemina.
鈥淎ccessibility to learning needs drastic improvement to ensure that everyone is given the same opportunity and confidence to thrive no matter if they are deaf or hard of hearing. That's why the 1821 Appeal project is so important to us.鈥�
Dr Robert Adam, who is himself deaf and is Head of the BSL section in the Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies at 江南体育, is also leading the project.
"I grew up without sign language access to education, community services, or the media,鈥� he says. 鈥淪o, I'm aware of how deaf lives have been enhanced through its provision. BSL has been recognised as one of the languages of Scotland, and the Scottish Government wants to make Scotland the best place in the world for BSL users to live, work and visit.
Our new programme of support for deaf or hard of hearing signing students will play an important role in that vision. 鈥淲e are so grateful for your generous contribution,鈥� adds Robert. 鈥淭ogether, the donations will make a huge difference to the experience, opportunities and futures of our deaf and hard-of-hearing students who use BSL.鈥�
If you're a student or prospective student interested in knowing more about the project, please contact j.napier@hw.ac.uk
Donations welcome
Donations to the 1821 Appeal Deaf and BSL Project continue to be very welcome. If you know someone who might like to make a contribution, or simply find out more about the project, please contact giving@hw.ac.uk.