Deaf Umbrella (@deafumbrella)

Looking for a calm, creative activity to do with your kid this weekend? ⁠ ⁠ For Children’s Mental Health Week, we’ve put together two simple, meaningful activities for Deaf children and families, both focused on belonging, identity, and feeling seen:⁠ ⁠ 🎨 Activity 1: A creative drawing activity⁠ We’re sharing a lovely free resource from Children’s Mental Health Week that helps children explore where they feel they belong through drawing and mapping.⁠ There’s a short video to watch together that guides children step by step through the activity.⁠ ⁠ 📖 Activity 2: Books that help Deaf children feel seen⁠ We’ve also curated a list of brilliant books featuring Deaf characters, sign language, and Deaf experiences, perfect for reading together at home, in school, or in community groups.⁠ ⁠ Both activities are included in one simple link, the two gentle plans for the weekend, all in one place.⁠ ⁠ 💬 Comment “IDEAS”, and we’ll send you the link straight to your DMs.⁠ ⁠ Because stories and creativity don’t just entertain.⁠ They help children understand who they are, and where they belong 💜⁠ ⁠ 📽️Video: That's me signing The Three Little Pigs in Spanish Sign Language to my daughter. This playful moment of sharing storytelling through sign language highlights connection, joy, and bilingual family life.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek #ThisIsMyPlace #DeafKids #DeafFamilies #Belonging RepresentationMatters⁠ @_place2be

I hope this is helpful!!💜

No one talks about this enough.⁠ As a Communication Support Worker (CSW), your role is vital, but if you blur the line between support and solving, you risk:⁠ ⁠ 😟 Making Deaf students dependent⁠ 😩 Feeling emotionally drained⁠ 🚧 Blocking their long-term growth⁠ ⁠ You don’t need to do less: you need to do it with CLARITY.⁠ Our free guide "Professional Boundaries & Student Advocacy for CSWs" shows you how.⁠ ⁠ ✅ What your role is (and isn’t)⁠ ✅ How to handle disclosures⁠ ✅ How to encourage self-advocacy⁠ ✅ Tips to protect your wellbeing⁠ ⁠ 💬 Comment BOUNDARIES for the link.

"Have you tried just ignoring it?" "Maybe some white noise?" "I read somewhere that spinning three times under a full moon cures it!" 🫠⁠ ⁠ We know you mean well, but when tinnitus is at its worst, the last thing we need is another quick-fix suggestion. It’s frustrating, exhausting, and trust us—we’ve already tried everything.⁠ ⁠ The best way to support someone with tinnitus?⁠ ⁠ ✨ Listen to their experience ✨ Ask what actually helps them ✨ Support without trying to 'fix' them ✨ Learn about tinnitus from reliable sources ⁠ Sometimes, just knowing someone understands means more than any advice. ⁠ ⁠ Comment "TINNITUS" below if you want to learn more about tinnitus, real support strategies, and what actually helps. ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #TinnitusAwarenessWeek #ListenAndLearn #MindYourEars #Tinnitus #TimeToTalk TimeToTalkDay MentalHealth

As a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), we’ve seen all sorts of reactions when people meet Deaf parents who use sign language.⁠ ⁠ Sometimes the interaction is completely normal. Other times, it becomes awkward, frustrating, or even funny.⁠ ⁠ Here are some familiar types:⁠ ⁠ 🤩 The enthusiast. Usually very kind and keen to show their knowledge of sign language 🤟 Sometimes a little over-enthusiastic.⁠ ⁠ 🫣 The shy one. They avoid eye contact so they don’t have to interact with the Deaf person. Please relax. It’s really okay.⁠ ⁠ 🦥 The slow talker. Speaks extra slowly and exaggerates lip movements. This doesn’t help. It actually makes lipreading harder.⁠ ⁠ 🤷🏻‍♀️ The one who talks to the interpreter (a family member, in this case). If you’re having a conversation with a Deaf person, face them and speak directly to them, not the interpreter. It might feel unfamiliar, but it makes a big difference.⁠ ⁠ 🫠 The one who only speaks to the hearing people in the group. Yes, this happens. Deaf people get ignored while others talk only to the hearing person. Even when we’re not the one being ignored, it still hurts. Please don’t do this.⁠ ⁠ 🆘 The helper. Very keen to offer “accessibility”, but misses the mark. Think offering a Braille menu in a restaurant or a wheelchair at an airport. True story 🤦🏻‍♀️⁠ ⁠ 😳 The embarrassed one. Uncomfortable with facial expressions. Facial expressions in sign language are mandatory. Asking a Deaf person to “tone it down” because it makes others uncomfortable is offensive. Deaf people rely on facial expression, body language, and context to understand meaning.⁠ ⁠ 🤓 The patroniser. Comments like “you speak so well for someone who is Deaf” can be very offensive. No one enjoys being patronised, and that includes Deaf people.⁠ ⁠ Feel free to add yours in the comments 👇⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #communication #accessibility #DeafAwareness #DeafUmbrella #DeafCommunity ⁠

If you’ve ever been asked this after speaking while Deaf, you know the look: the confusion, the guesses, the awkward silence.⁠ ⁠ Spoiler: It’s not from France. Or Eastern Europe. Or space.⁠ It’s from growing up Deaf in a hearing world. It’s called a Deaf accent, and it deserves the same respect as any other voice.⁠ ⁠ Your speech tells a story of learning through sight, touch, repetition, and determination. It’s not foreign. It’s not “off.” It’s not wrong.⁠ ⁠ 💥In our last article, we break down what the Deaf accent really is, and we have also added 5 ways to respond to this question with clarity, confidence, and a little bit of grace (no TED Talk in the Tesco queue required).⁠ ⁠ 💬 Comment “ACCENT”, and we’ll send you the link straight to your DMs.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #DeafAccent #DeafAwareness #HowToRespond #DeafVoice #DeafCulture

British Sign Language (BSL) is a language in its own right, and it doesn't follow the English word order.⁠ ⁠ It has its own grammatical structure, rules, and syntax.⁠ ⁠ This grammatical structure is commonly described as a “Topic Comment Structure“. This means that the topic is stated first, and then a comment about that topic is stated and explained afterwards. ⁠ ⁠ Let’s give you an example sentence and how this could be signed:⁠ ⁠ 🗨️ Suppose you said: “Peter and I went swimming yesterday.“⁠ 👐 This would be signed “Swimming, yesterday with Peter”.⁠ ⁠ 🗨️ Or you said: “Come on, let’s take the dog for a walk, it’s a nice day!“⁠ 👐 That would be signed: “dog walk, nice day“ and a nod of the head in the direction of the door! ⁠ ⁠ ⁠British Sign Language is the preferred language of over 87,000 Deaf people in the UK for whom English may be a second or third language, even if they are British-born.⁠ ⁠ Please, bear this in mind when communicating with a Deaf BSL user 😉⁠

That's what one of our students said after years of working as a CSW. Not because she wasn't skilled. Not because she didn't care. But because no one had ever clearly explained what good practice actually looks like in real classrooms. 👉Switching between interpreting and notetaking. 👉Managing live classroom language. 👉Making access decisions on the spot. These are things csws do everyday, often without knowing if they are allowed to. Our Becoming a Professional CSW course exists to replace doubt with clarity. 🗨️As this student shared: "This has made me feel a lot more confident". If you are tired of second-guessing, this training was built for you. Link in bio to learn more🔗

Many Deaf people choose different ways to communicate: some lipread, some sign, some use both.⁠ ⁠ But for Deaf people whose first language is British Sign Language (BSL), being asked to ‘just lipread’ isn’t access; it’s being asked to work harder in someone else’s language.⁠ ⁠ Access should match the person, not convenience.⁠ So for BSL users… a polite ‘no thank you’ is more than fair 😌⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #DeafUmbrellaMeme #accessibility #BSL

Get @reshare_app • @deafumbrella Too many colleges are unknowingly failing their Deaf students. not out of neglect, but because their CSWs haven’t been given the tools to do the job properly.⁠ ⁠ CSWs don’t need formal training to start working… and that’s exactly the problem.⁠ ❌Support is being delivered inconsistently.⁠ ❌Students are struggling silently.⁠ ❌And colleges don’t even realise.⁠ ⁠ In her article for The Limping Chicken, our CEO Rachel Hubbard unpacks the challenges—and solutions—facing colleges today:⁠ 👉 Why CSWs need more than good intentions⁠ 👉 How the lack of training is affecting Deaf students⁠ 👉 What education providers can do to offer real, effective support⁠ ⁠ 📖 Want to read the article? Comment BLOG and we’ll DM you the link.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ 🎓 Want to become a fully trained, confident, CPD-accredited CSW? Comment COURSE and we’ll send you everything you need to know.⁠ ⁠ https://deafumbrella.mykajabi.com/professional-csw⁠ ⁠ Let’s raise the standard. For our students. For ourselves.⁠ ⁠ #DeafEducation #CSWTraining #DeafAwareness #DeafStudents #AccessToEducation ⁠

Guilty 😅⁠ And we stand by it.⁠ ⁠ Not because BSL courses aren’t valuable, but because Deaf people deserve professional, confident support, not guesswork, blurred boundaries, or “learning as you go” at their expense.⁠ ⁠ This is the gap many BSL learners are dropped into:⁠ ❌ Knowing the language but not the role⁠ ❌ Wanting to help but overstepping⁠ ❌ Feeling unsure, second-guessing, or anxious in class⁠ ❌ Providing support without the tools, frameworks, or confidence⁠ ⁠ That’s not fair on you, and it’s not fair on Deaf students.⁠ ⁠ That’s why we created Becoming a Professional CSW.⁠ ✨Not to replace BSL training, but to skill it up.⁠✨ ⁠ The course shows you:⁠ ✅What the CSW role actually is (and isn’t)⁠ ✅ How to support without overstepping⁠ ✅ How to work ethically, professionally, and confidently in education⁠ ✅ How to stop guessing and start knowing⁠ ⁠ If you’ve ever thought:⁠ “I want to support Deaf students properly… but I don’t feel ready,”⁠ this is your sign 👀⁠ ⁠ Share this with a BSL learner who needs to hear it.⁠ Deaf people deserve better support, and you deserve the training to provide it.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #DeafUmbrellaMeme #BSLIsTheStart #ProfessionalCSW #SkillUpNotGuesswork

#2025recap

CODA Christmas content I didn’t ask for but will treasure forever 💜 #CODA #CIDALife #SignLanguage #DeafCommunity

We’ve made our wishlist, and it’s full of access, awareness, and a whole lot of heart💜⁠ ⁠ From confident CSWs and smooth Access to Work applications, to captions everywhere and a bit more of deaf awareness (please)…⁠ ⁠ We’re dreaming of a world that works better for Deaf people, not just at Christmas, but all year round. ⁠ ⁠ What’s on your wishlist this year? Tell us below 👇⁠ ⁠ #AccessMatters #ChristmasWishlist #DeafUmbrella #InclusionMatters #AllWeWantForChristmas

Every CODA has heard it...🫠⁠ ⁠ Meanwhile CODAs everywhere are remembering:⁠ the door slams, the floor vibrations, the flashing lights, the full-body signing, and the Oscar-worthy arguments.⁠ ⁠ Silence? Absolutely not.⁠ Peaceful? Not even once 😂⁠ ⁠ Deaf households aren’t ‘quiet’... they’re just visual, expressive, and full of life.⁠ ⁠ #DeafUmbrellaMeme #DeafCommunity #CODA

Deaf people call it Dinner Table Syndrome – that feeling of being left out when everyone around you is chatting away, but you’re just stuck there, trying to keep up...⁠ ⁠ Full mouths, everyone talking over each other, topics changing every 2 seconds, and a lack of accessibility… Yeah, communication gets real hard👎⁠ ⁠ Imagine being at a dinner party where you can’t join the conversation... You’d probably feel isolated, stressed, frustrated, even a little angry. That’s what it’s like for many deaf and hard of hearing folks at family dinners, work events, or even at Christmas🎄⁠ ⁠ But don't worry, we got you! These tips can help you be more deaf aware and create a more inclusive vibe. Empathy and patience are the key.⁠ ⁠ Want to know how you can stop letting your deaf colleagues feel left out at work parties? Drop a ‘KNOW HOW’, and we’ll hit you up in the DMs with all the deets! 💬⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #communication #inclusion #DeafAwareness #DeafCommunity #DinnerTableSyndrome

🎄✨ There are a few more Christmas magic words a Deaf person would LOVE to hear from a hearing colleague at Christmas dinner👇👇 “We made sure the table isn’t too noisy or too dark so it’s easier for everyone to chat with you.” “Hey, if you ever can’t follow something, just tap me. I’ve got you.” “We moved the seating so you have a clear view of everyone — no more guessing games!” “We’ve briefed everyone to speak one at a time… well, as much as humans can at Christmas.” “I saved you a spot with good lighting — perfect for signing or lipreading.” “We’re doing visual cues to start the toasts this year. Fancy, right?” “If you need a break from listening fatigue, come hide with me by the snacks.” “We want you to actually enjoy the night — tell us what you need, and we’ll make it happen.” THIS is the kind of Christmas spirit Deaf people deserve. If you've ever been left out of festive conversations, this once for you And if you've ever had a college genuinely include you...absolute hero 🎅✨ #DeafAwareness #InclusionAtWork #AccesibleChristmas #ChristmasPartyTips

Some workplaces love to call themselves ‘inclusive’… right up until a Deaf person applies for the job 🫠 That’s when the fear, myths, and excuses come out.⁠ ⁠ Guess what?⁠ Deaf people don’t need your pity: they need access.⁠ Interpreters. Captions. Visual alarms. Flexible communication.⁠ Actual support, not slogans.⁠ ⁠ If HR needs someone to come in and clear out the outdated beliefs… we’re already on our way 💅 ⁠ #DeafUmbrellaMeme

🍫 Cadbury's advert last year celebrated the joy of connecting through sign language. But for many Deaf and hard of hearing people, that connection can be a challenge, especially during festive gatherings 🎄⁠ ⁠ Dinner Table Syndrome is real: the struggle to feel part of the conversation when everyone’s talking over each other, with full mouths, changing topics, and no clear communication. At family meals and friend parties, it can make people feel isolated or left out.⁠ ⁠ 💡 But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are 10 simple ways to make your holiday gatherings more inclusive and ensure everyone feels part of the fun:⁠ ⁠ 1. Let them know about the event and encourage them to come. Christmas parties are for everyone! ⁠ ⁠ 2. Book a round table for easier lip-reading and visibility. ⁠ ⁠ 3. Maintain eye contact when talking, and don’t eat or turn away while speaking. ⁠ ⁠ 4. Include them in stories by getting their attention first with a tap or a wave. ⁠ ⁠ 5. Brush up on your signs—ask them to teach you some Christmas ones! ⁠ ⁠ 6. Consider an interpreter for BSL users so they don’t miss out on any of the conversation. ⁠ ⁠ 7. Skip sound-only games—think of alternatives that are more inclusive. ⁠ ⁠ 8. Let them know about Secret Santa and take turns when opening gifts. ⁠ ⁠ 9. Music? Turn up the bass and get dancing—Deaf people love music too! ⁠ ⁠ 10. Relax, have fun, and get to know each other a little better. 😊⁠ ⁠ 🕊️ Christmas is about connection. Let’s make sure no one feels left out! 💜 ⁠ ⁠ ✨ Do you have any other tips that work for you as a Deaf or hard of hearing person? Share them with us!⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #InclusionMatters #BritishSignLanguage #CadburyCares #SpreadTheLove⁠ ⁠ @cadburyuk⁠ @ndcs_uk⁠

Sure… if the lecturer stands still, faces them, speaks clearly, doesn’t turn around, never mumbles, doesn’t cover their mouth...🫠⁠ ⁠ 👀 Lipreading is exhausting. It’s unreliable. It’s not access. And IT'S NOT FAIR.⁠ ⁠ Deaf students deserve real support:⁠ ✅ Qualified Communication Support Workers (CSWs)⁠ ✅ Captions⁠ ✅ Accessible resources⁠ ⁠ Provide support. Provide professionals.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #DeafAwareness #BSLAccess #InclusiveEducation #DeafStudentSupport #CSWSupport

Every time someone says that...⁠ I laugh…⁠ and then I cry…⁠ because HOW are we still here in 2025?! 😭💀⁠ ⁠ I swear I’ve explained this thousands of times.⁠ ⁠ Sign language is NOT universal.⁠ ⁠ There are over 300 different sign languages worldwide — BSL, ASL, LSE… each with its own grammar, culture, and community.⁠ ⁠ Saying ‘sign language is universal’ is like saying every country speaks the same spoken language.⁠ It erases cultures, ignores Deaf communities, and spreads misinformation.⁠ ⁠ Please… someone help me!!🙏⁠ Repost this meme to save one Deaf awareness campaigner from repeating it again.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #DeafUmbrellaMeme #SignLanguageIsNotUniversal⁠ ⁠

Black Friday is nearly here… and we’ve got something BIG for Communication Support Workers (CSWs), BSL learners, and anyone stepping into Deaf education in 2025.⁠ ⁠ If you’ve ever thought:⁠ ⁠ ✔ “I don’t feel confident enough yet”⁠ ✔ “I’m still guessing what my role really is”⁠ ✔ “I wish someone would teach me the practical side of being a CSW”⁠ ✔ “I want to start the new term prepared, not panicking”⁠ ⁠ Then you’ll want to keep an eye on this space.⁠ ⁠ Because this Friday, 28 November, for ONE DAY ONLY, we’re doing something we’ve never done before…👀⁠ ⁠ ✨ We'll cover the VAT on our online course "Becoming a Professional CSW"⁠ ✨ That means just £195 — for 24 hours only.⁠ ✨ And only subscribers will receive the discount code.⁠ ⁠ No extensions.⁠ No replays.⁠ When it’s gone, it’s gone.⁠ ⁠ If you’re ready to finally upskill with confidence, learn what BSL courses don’t teach, and walk into January with a solid foundation… make sure you’re on the list.⁠ ⁠ 🎓 Comment "SUBSCRIBE" to get the code this Friday in your inbox!⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #DeafUmbrellaBlackFriday #BlackFriday #UpskillForLess #VATOnUs⁠ ⁠ ⁠

People think Deaf fatigue is just being ‘tired’. Nope. It’s the Olympic sport of lipreading, concentration, guessing context, dodging background noise, and pretending autocaptions make sense.⁠ ⁠ If you know the feeling… you’re not alone.⁠ We wrote a whole guide on what listening fatigue actually is, and how to survive it 👇⁠ ⁠ Comment below "HELP" and we'll send you the link straight to your DMs.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #DeafUmbrellaMeme #ListeningFatigue #ConcentrationFatigue

👇⁠ ⁠ 🫠How to prep for lessons when tutors send slides 5 minutes before⁠ ⁠ 🫠How to sign maths terms without giving the answers⁠ ⁠ 🫠How to support without doing the work for them⁠ ⁠ 🫠How to explain your role without sounding rude⁠ ⁠ 🫠How to manage nerves before class⁠ ⁠ 🫠How to say no… kindly⁠ ⁠ 🫠How to lead Deaf Awareness sessions⁠ ⁠ 🫠How to plan for exams from week one⁠ ⁠ 🫠How to deal with students who don’t want your help⁠ ⁠ Basically… how to actually do the job 😆⁠ ⁠ If you’ve felt any of these, you’re in good company.⁠ ⁠ Most CSWs and BSL learners start here, guessing, adapting, and learning the hard way.⁠ That’s why we built the Becoming a Professional CSW course: to turn these “betrayals” into confidence, clarity, and calm.⁠ ⁠ 🎓 Click the link in our Bio or DM us to learn more.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #BecomingAProfessionalCSW #CommunicationSupportWorker

Did you know that closed captions (CC) and subtitles are not the same? Here’s why it matters:⁠ ⁠ ➤ Closed Captions: Created for deaf or Hard of Hearing (HoH) viewers, CCs include dialogue, sound effects, and speaker IDs, offering a complete audio experience.⁠ ⁠ ➤ Subtitles, on the other hand, focus on translating dialogue for those who don't understand the original language. They serve the purpose of overcoming language barriers, rather than providing accessibility for the deaf/HoH. ⁠ ⁠ If you don't caption your videos, you're excluding 1 in 5 people nationally, and 466 million people in the world from fully engaging with your content.⁠ Also, remember that 80% of social users watch videos with the sound off!⁠ ⁠ Also, captioning is a game-changer:⁠ ⁠ 👍️Promote inclusivity, allowing equal access.⁠ 👍️Enhance comprehension for all viewers.⁠ 👍️Facilitate language learning for non-native speakers.⁠ 👍️Foster cultural exchange, welcoming diverse audiences.⁠ ⁠ If you want to attend one of the many captioned or live subtitled events during this Captioning Awareness Week, comment below "EVENTS", and we'll get the link of the upcoming captioned shows and news ⁠straight to you in your Direct Messages📧⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #CaptionYourVideos #InclusionMatters #AccessibilityForAll #InclusiveContent #InclusiveVideos ⁠ @stagetext.insta

That’s not us. At Deaf Umbrella, we don’t do tick-box training or generic “be kind” slideshows. We do real, Deaf-led, honest conversations that help you understand what actually works in real classrooms, workplaces, and day-to-day life. Contact us now to book your session. #DeafAwarenessTraining

Today is Remembrance Day.⁠ ⁠ Do you know how the poppy became the symbol of Remembrance?⁠ ⁠ After WW1, the battlefield was a field of mud and barren where nothing could grow. However, bright red Flanders poppies grew in their thousands, flourishing even in the middle of chaos and destruction🌹🌹🌹🌹⁠ ⁠ The sight of poppies inspired Lt Col John McCrae to write the famous poem called "In Flanders Fields":⁠ ⁠ 𝘐𝘯 𝘍𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴' 𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘥𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘸⁠ 𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴, 𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘰𝘯 𝘳𝘰𝘸, ⁠ 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦: 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘬𝘺 ⁠ 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘴, 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘧𝘭𝘺 ⁠ 𝘚𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘶𝘯𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘸. 𝘞𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥. 𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘢𝘨𝘰 ⁠ 𝘞𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥, 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘥𝘢𝘸𝘯, 𝘴𝘢𝘸 𝘴𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘸, ⁠ 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘦 ⁠ 𝘐𝘯 𝘍𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴' 𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘥𝘴.⁠ 𝘛𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘶𝘱 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘭 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘦; ⁠ 𝘛𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘸𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘸 ⁠ 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘩; 𝘣𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩, ⁠ 𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘶𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘥𝘪𝘦 ⁠ 𝘞𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘱, 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘱𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸 ⁠ 𝘐𝘯 𝘍𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴' 𝘍𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘥𝘴.⁠ ⁠ That poem was the reason they made and sold red silk poppies (1921), raising over £106,000 to help WW1 veterans with employment and housing.⁠ ⁠ The following year, Major George Howson set up the Poppy Factory to employ disabled ex-Servicemen. Today, the factory and the Legion's warehouse in Aylesford produce millions of poppies each year.⁠ ⁠ We wanted to share this information so that you know that the poppy is a symbol of Remembrance and hope and part of British life, culture and heritage, also, we want to share with you this wonderful BSL version of the poem.⁠ ⁠ We hope you enjoy it!⁠ ⁠ 📽️Credits: Drip Media.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #BritishSignLanguage #communication #accessibility #DeafAwareness #DeafUmbrella

One of our favourite questions: What does a Deaf person bring to the table?⁠ ⁠ 🤔Well... Did you know that it was found that deaf employees are average or above average in performance, quality and quantity of work, flexibility, and attendance? ⁠ ⁠ Deaf workers, where they are given the opportunity, are committed and engaged; the only thing they need is the right support, tools, and encouragement to perform to their full potential and be productive in what they do.⁠ ⁠ Also, having a diverse workforce is beneficial to any business. It helps generate better ideas, foster a sense of inclusion, reach a larger audience, and remain successful.⁠ ⁠ 💡So, if you are thinking about diversifying your team, why not hire a deaf person? Contact us! We have a list of deaf people actively looking for a job from our job club.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⭢ If you choose to offer a deaf person a role, we'll liaise with the Government funding agency (Access to Work) for support and funding in the workplace. Also, we'll supply FREE Deaf Awareness Training before or after the person starts, allowing everyone to understand how to communicate with the new starter.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #Accessibility #DeafCommunity #Accommodations #DeafWorkers #DeafAwareness ⁠ ⁠ ⁠

Colleges invest so much in their students— But without trained CSWs, Deaf learners miss out.⁠ Equal access needs more than good intentions.⁠ It needs professional training that covers boundaries, ethics, and real classroom skills.⁠ 🎓 Support your team with Becoming a Professional CSW online course. Link in bio.

To celebrate our anniversary, we’re sharing 25 Deaf Awareness and Inclusion tips, one for each year of our journey!⁠ ⁠ In our blog, some of these tips link to extra resources for a deeper dive, which you won’t get from here.⁠ ⁠ 👉 To read the full article and access all the extra info, head to our link in bio, or comment below "HAPPY 25". ⁠ ⁠ Now, here are ALL the tips:⁠ ⁠ 1️⃣Always face the person you’re talking to.⁠ ⁠ 2️⃣Don’t cover your mouth when speaking.⁠ ⁠ 3️⃣Speak clearly, not loudly. ⁠ ⁠ 4️⃣Use plain language where possible.⁠ ⁠ 5️⃣Learn some basic BSL signs. ⁠ ⁠ 6️⃣Write things down if communication breaks down. ⁠ ⁠ 7️⃣Don’t say “never mind”.⁠ ⁠ 8️⃣Repeat or rephrase if you’re not understood — don’t just say it once.⁠ ⁠ 9️⃣Offer good lighting so faces are visible.⁠ ⁠ 1️⃣0️⃣Be patient with lipreaders. ⁠ ⁠ 1️⃣1️⃣Use captions wherever possible.⁠ ⁠ 1️⃣2️⃣Book qualified interpreters for important events.⁠ ⁠ 1️⃣3️⃣Ask, don’t assume, what support is needed.⁠ ⁠ 1️⃣4️⃣Avoid standing in front of bright windows when speaking.⁠ ⁠ 1️⃣5️⃣Include Deaf awareness in staff training.⁠ ⁠ 1️⃣6️⃣Share information in writing after meetings.⁠ ⁠ 1️⃣8️⃣Respect the need for breaks (listening fatigue is real). ⁠ ⁠ 1️⃣7️⃣Make sure alarms and alerts are visual as well as audible.⁠ ⁠ 1️⃣9️⃣Use technology like speech-to-text apps.⁠ ⁠ 2️⃣0️⃣Promote Deaf role models in schools and workplaces.⁠ ⁠ 2️⃣1️⃣Check background noise levels in meetings.⁠ ⁠ 2️⃣2️⃣Make group discussions inclusive with turn-taking.⁠ ⁠ 2️⃣3️⃣Don’t shout — it distorts lip patterns.⁠ ⁠ 2️⃣4️⃣Celebrate Deaf culture and achievements.⁠ ⁠ 2️⃣5️⃣Most importantly: always ask the person what works best for them.⁠ ⁠ Small actions make a big difference. Thank you for helping us spread awareness and for supporting Deaf Umbrella over the past 25 years.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #DeafUmbrella25 #DeafAwareness #Inclusion