Project Aims
The ‘Signs of the Times’ Project has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). The project aims have been to record the life histories of former students in British Sign Language and to create materials for school lessons so that deaf and hearing children can learn more about the lives of deaf people over the last century. It has also created an exhibition which has been displayed in companies in the city so that employees can learn more about the lives of deaf people.
Jonathan Farnhill, Chief Executive said: “Deaf people who use sign language often struggle with literacy and as a result their life experiences are not written down, and so not preserved. ‘Signs of the Times’ addresses this by videoing the life histories in sign language. Deaf people have been described as the most marginalised group in our society, with far higher levels of sickness, unemployment and mental health problems than the general population, often due to the social isolation they can experience. This social isolation often means that the wider society does not understand the difficulties they face nor how they can enable deaf people to take a full and active part in our society. This project is a small but important step in addressing this problem.”
The funding has been used to produce a DVD, an exhibition, a webpage and a school curriculum. These resources are helping raise Deaf awareness locally, with local employers and local schools being more informed about Deaf issues and the plans to build the new deaf Academy in the city. Schools are now benefiting from Deaf awareness materials that have been specifically designed to fit in with the National Curriculum.
The project has resulted in a tangible record of deaf history in Exeter, with a particular focus on people’s experiences of life at the Academy. As the life histories have been recorded in British Sign Language (BSL) they are accessible to people who use BSL as their first language. Five key themes have been followed through the life histories: Education, Language, Employment, The Community and Relationships with Hearing People.
Project Manager, Lori Fox feels the project will have a real impact on the lives of deaf people. “The project raises awareness of Deaf history and Deaf culture. This will benefit people in the Deaf community who will be able to take pride in their past and shared culture. Recording changing values and practices will enable us to understand why and how the values of the Deaf community change”.
Nerys Watts of the Heritage Lottery Fund is excited by the project and the difference it will make. “The Signs of the Times project will create a fantastic resource and we are so pleased to help bring it to life. HLF is dedicated to opening up heritage resources to as many people as possible, and this project will enable everyone to explore the history of the Academy and Deaf people in Exeter. This is a wonderful example of how the past can be opened up to the present, with the help of Heritage Lottery Fund money, to create an innovative project which can be enjoyed by everyone.”