NUBSLI were delighted to see Rachel Shenton’s film The Silent Child win an Oscar last night. This film is important as it has raised awareness of Deafness and in particular, access to education.

It is very timely, as one of our committee members, Frances Lewin, is currently undertaking a PhD, researching access to education in the U.K. Frances will be releasing a questionnaire for both Deaf and hard of hearing students and BSL/English Interpreters soon, and we hope everyone will assist her in sharing this.

Sadly, it isn’t just access to education that is a problem in this country. Access to public services and employment (via the Access to Work cap) is being restricted. Our Dossier of Disgrace will be published and available soon, highlighting the barriers to public services faced by Deaf people and the pressures being placed on BSL/English Interpreters as a result of the governments procurement system of national frameworks. In October 2017, the UNCRPD questioned the government around the rights of access for Deaf people, yet nothing is being done to improve this.

We hope that the awareness this film brings can be used to highlight the inequalities faced by Deaf people on a daily basis.

Huge congratulations to everyone involved, including Maisie Sly, the 6 year old Deaf actress!