An inspiring new British Sign Language (BSL) campaign has launched at Hadlow College, marking an important step forward in accessibility and inclusion.
The initiative is a collaborative effort between Hadlow College, STAART at the University of Greenwich and the National Centre for Reptile Welfare.
The launch event, held during National Deaf Awareness Week (4-10 May), brought together students, staff and representatives from each organisation, all passionate about improving accessibility and celebrating inclusive practices.
Attendees at the launch included Banji Adewumi, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Director at the University of Greenwich; STAART ambassadors and graduates; students and staff from Hadlow College’s Animal Management Unit; and staff and volunteers from the National Centre for Reptile Welfare.
A key highlight of the event was the opportunity to discover over 50 newly installed signs featuring not only British Sign Language (BSL), but also American Sign Language (ASL) and an example of Australian Sign Language (Auslan), including the sign for “kookaburra.” The signage corresponds to animals housed at Hadlow College and the National Centre for Reptile Welfare, offering a unique and educational way for visitors and students to engage with both animals and sign language.
The launch highlights our ongoing commitment to accessibility. We believe that Hadlow College may be the only land-based or rural college in the UK to incorporate deaf-inclusive signage in this way, and hope to set a pioneering example for others in the sector.
By embedding sign language into everyday learning environments, Hadlow College is not only enhancing accessibility for Deaf individuals but also encouraging all students to engage with and appreciate inclusive communication methods.