Sign language provider marks 30th anniversary

The provider of British Sign Language qualifications Signature is marking 30 years of successfully promoting excellence in deaf communications this week – but its chief executive says there is still a long way to go to achieve full accessibility for deaf and deafblind people in society.

The charity started in 1982 and has grown from a small organisation to become the nation’s largest awarding body for BSL qualifications – over 300,000 people from across the UK have achieved Signature BSL or Deaf Awareness qualifications.

The charity started in 1982 and has grown from a small organisation to become the nation’s largest awarding body for BSL qualifications – more than 300,000 people from across the UK have achieved Signature BSL or Deaf Awareness qualifications.

Chief executive Jim Edwards praised the work of the people that had helped make Signature, previously known as CACDP, such a success.

He said Signature had grown to become far more than simply an awarding body for qualifications – it is now a leading voice in BSL learning, as well as a powerful lobbyist for equality and accessibility for the UK’s deaf community.

He said: “For 30 years Signature has campaigned for better inclusion and accessibility for deaf people across the UK, improving lives and enhancing independence.

“Our success is testament to the many hard working, talented people in the organisation who have dedicated so much to helping deaf people overcome barriers to communication.”