5 – 11 May marks Deaf Awareness Week, a week supported by the UK Council on Deafness.
The theme of this year’s Deaf Awareness Week is ‘Beyond Silence’ which emphasizes breaking barriers, advocating for accessibility, and celebrating the resilience and contributions of Deaf individuals in all aspects of life. It highlights the richness of Deaf culture, and the voices of the Deaf community that deserve recognition.
The Deaf community often faces significant barriers to communication, which can lead to social isolation, limited employment opportunities, and reduced access to essential services. These barriers can include a lack of access to sign language interpreters, limited captioning and subtitling in videos and online content, and a general lack of awareness of the communication needs.
According to the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), 12 million people of working age in the UK are deaf or have some form of hearing loss.
Further information and resources about being more Deaf aware, both at work and in daily life can be found on the following websites:
UK Council on Deafness - Deaf Awareness Week
UK Council on Deafness – Deaf Awareness Week 2025 BSL Version
BDA - British Deaf Association
RNID – Being more deaf aware at work
Learning Support page of the Signature website with resources including greeting signs.
Links to guidance and information on the University website to support on accessible documents and resources:
- Website accessibility and further resources
- If you are a member of Sussex staff and want to learn about digital accessibility or expand your knowledge, you can now book on to a training session or request a training session for your team.
- Guidance on commissioning accessible videos
- How to: Get captions and media content and live teaching
Upcoming opportunity for professionals in social work and related fields:
British Sign Language and Deaf Awareness for Social Work and Related Professions
Monday 23 June 2025 / 9.30am-5pm / In person on the University of Sussex campus
This CPD workshop is specifically tailored towards professionals in social work and related fields and offers a unique opportunity to delve into the world and lived experiences of Deaf individuals. Through engaging presentations, group activities, practical tasks, and discussions, you will:
- learn the basics of BSL and essential communication skills for effective engagement with Deaf people.
- gain insights into how everyday behaviours can be disabling.
- explore Deaf history, culture, and technological advancements.