Frequently Asked Questions

What resources are available for learning BSL?
Can I learn sign language from books or video's?
Where can I learn to sign?
What is BSL?
What is SSE?
Is sign language the same all over the world?
What extra equipment should I have in the home to aid my child's communication and social needs?
What points should I remember when communicating with a deaf or hard of hearing person?
Will my child be automatically registered disabled?
What is Disability Living Allowance and what is it for?
How can I meet other parents of deaf children?
Will my deaf child be able to go to their local school?
Who can explain the technical information given by the hospital? There never seems to be enough time at the appointment.
How can I find out why my child is deaf?
Where can I get a list of all the voluntary organisations in my are that might help with my deaf child?

What resources are available for learning BSL?

There are a number of books, videos and CD ROMs available. For a catalogue contact "The Forest Bookshop, 8 St John Street, Coleford GL16 8AR. Especially good are the books by Cath Smith and an introduction to sign language video.

Can I learn sign language from books or video's?

NO.
To learn British Sign Language you must attend classes with a qualified deaf tutor. Books and video's are a good for reminding yourself of signs learnt or for checking information, but an important part of BSL are the facial expressions which will be demonstrated by your tutor who will also correct your mistakes such as wrong hand shapes.

Where can I learn to sign?

See our Sign Language Classes page

For further courses information can be obtained from CACDP (Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People) Pelaw House, School of Education, University of Durham, Durham, DH1 1TA. They will inform you of your local classes and the cost.

What is BSL?

British Sign Language is a natural sign language used in the deaf community in Britain. Like some spoken languages it cannot be written down but it is a language with its own structure and grammar.
BSL is not miming or acting.

What is SSE?

Sign Supported English means you speak and follow English structures and grammar but also include the use of some signs. Some deaf people may use SSE but without voice.

Is sign language the same all over the world?

NO.
There are different sign languages used by deaf people in every country; the same as spoken languages are different. Throughout Britain there are also different variations. Just as hearing people speak with different accents so can the signs vary.

What extra equipment should I have in the home to aid my child's communication and social needs?

There is a variety of equipment available to you. Each council has their own policy of what equipment they will provide on a loan scheme that is free of charge. Remember that under the Children Act 1989 local authorities must provide services to minimise the effect of children's disabilities. This includes providing you with special equipment such as :

Text Phones : Deaf children should have the same access to the telephone as hearing children, and are entitled to the same amount of privacy. Not only do text phones encourage your child to learn and improve their written/typed English but it will also increase their network of friends.
Alarm Clocks : These can be either flashing lights, vibrating clocks or wired up to a pager. When children reach us at Oak Lodge they are old enough to start taking responsibility for getting themselves up in the morning, and learning not to rely on others.
Doorbells : These are wired up to your main house lights so they flash on and off when someone rings the bell. Again this equipment allows your child to become more independent.
Teletext : Having teletext on your television allows your child to join in family activities and so improve their reading skills and learn to follow spoken English word formation. Being able to access the television allows them to pick up lots of information most of us take for granted.
Video caption readers : This is a piece of equipment that allows your child to watch hidden caption on a video you may rent for a family night activity. The benefits are as above.
Smoke Detectors : These can either be wired to special lights or a vibrating pad for under your child's pillow. It is essential that ALL family members are aware if there is a house fire.
Loop System : This equipment can be wired into your television or music centre and if your child is able to use hearing aids this allows them to cut out background noise and concentrate on that specific piece of equipment

What points should I remember when communicating with a deaf or hard of hearing person?

Before you start talking make sure you have their attention.
e.g. tap them lightly on the arm, flash the light on and off, stamp on the floor.

Make sure you are in front of, and on the same level as the deaf child.
Check you are facing the light and not sitting / standing in front of a window.
Background noise must be kept to a minimum. Remember hearing aid users cannot cut out any background noise.
Do not shout : you become more difficult to understand and will look angry and so confuse the meaning of what you are saying.
Speak clearly, with a normal rhythm of speech.
Do not smoke or eat while you are speaking and make sure you do not cover your face with your hands, paper, hair etc.
Remember that sentences and phrases are easier to understand than single words.
Use any correct sign language when you can and try to use appropriate facial expressions to show joy, anger, upset questions etc.
Check regularly that your child has understood.
Keep your head still and stop talking if you turn away.
Do not give up trying to communicate offer to write things down in simple English.
Be prepared to learn more sign language.

Remember that it is VERY tiring to lip-read.
Lip-reading is only an aid to communication and it relies very heavily on guesswork. Many words all look the same so even if you apply the following rules there will be many times when your child has not fully understood. Always check they are able to follow the conversation and be willing to rephrase words with different words of the same meaning to make the information clearer.

Will my child be automatically registered disabled?

NO.
Even if you are receiving D.L.A. and other benefits it does not mean your child will be put on the local authority register. In most boroughs this is a voluntary register and if you want your child on the register you must inform them of this.

What is Disability Living Allowance and what is it for?

Disability Living Allowance or DLA is an allowance that is given if you have a disabled or deaf child to help improve the quality of that child's life either by buying specialist equipment or by learning to communicate through British Sign Language at an evening class or college.
DLA is a social security benefit that is tax free and if you have a deaf child you can claim under the section "care component" because your child will need extra help/care with their communication.

Further information can be obtained from either your local council, your social worker or from the N.D.C.S. regarding what equipment is available and what you are entitled to.
For a claim pack call 0800 441144 (voice) or 0800 243355 (text)

How can I meet other parents of deaf children?

There are a number of voluntary organisations which can help or the Wandsworth Hearing-impaired Service can introduce you t another family. Contact Deborah Rix on 020 8673 7564 for more information on this.

Will my deaf child be able to go to their local school?

More and more deaf children are now going to their local school. However, the most important thing is to find the best school for your individual child - for some it will be the nearest school to you and for others one further away. In the vast majority of cases, parents of deaf children find a school they are very happy with. The Hearing-impaired Service can help you. Contact 020 8673 7564 for advice.

Who can explain the technical information given by the hospital? There never seems to be enough time at the appointment.

The Hearing-impaired Service in Wandsworth has a list of the most common words/terms used and their explanations or you can ask to speak to one of the peripatetic teachers personally. Telephone 020 8673 7564 for information.

How can I find out why my child is deaf?

Every family has the right to try to find out why their child is deaf and for many it is important to help them come to terms with the diagnosis. Ask the Audiological Physician or Audiological Scientist at the hospital to refer you to a doctor who can help you find out the cause of your child's deafness.

Where can I get a list of all the voluntary organisations in my are that might help with my deaf child?

Telephone 020 8673 7564 to obtain a list.