Deaf Awareness Week

Every year, the first week of May recognises Deaf Awareness Week, a campaign that attracts the attention of many organisations who each promote their work in the deafness and hearing loss sector. This year, the theme is ‘Common Purpose’, chosen to reflect the common goals that all organisations in the sector are working towards. To get involved, we’ve put together a selection of captioned and BSL events happening between 2-8 May this year!

1. Tyneside Cinema presents ‘Power in Our Hands’

Released for the 125th anniversary of the British Deaf Association, Power in Our Hands documents the secret history of a fight for the right to be heard. On May 7th, Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle are showing this powerful film to mark Deaf Awareness Week, and there will be a post-screening BSL interpreted Q&A with Samantha Allen from the British Deaf Association. Find out more >>

2. Captioned performance of Les Blancs at National Theatre

An exquisite, tense performance of Les Blancs will be captioned at National Theatre on May 4th at 7.30pm. The story tells of an African country on the verge of a civil war, and Tshembe who returns home as tensions are boiling over. Find out more >>

3. Wellcome Collection hosts ‘Friday Late Spectacular: Display’

Candoco Dance Company are taking over Wellcome Collection as disabled and non-disabled dancers perform all over the building. The late night event will feature BSL interpretation for all talks, and there will be a bar open all evening! Find out more >>

4. Brighton’s Deaf Awareness Week Bus

Action on Hearing Loss are teaming up with Brighton & Hove Buses to hold an awareness event on a bus equipped with a hearing loop. The bus will be parked outside Churchill Square Shopping Centre on May 5th between 11am-3pm where you can take part in various activities including: an online hearing check; assistive technology demonstrations; BSL taster sessions on the top deck; and they will also be promoting a new lip reading class which will be beginning on May 25th in Brighton. Find out more >>

5. Wendy Hoose at Soho Theatre

Theatre companies Birds of Paradise and Random Accomplice are taking their entertaining theatre piece to London’s Soho Theatre until May 7th. With BSL and animated surtitling immersed into the production, it’s hard not to absolutely love this hilarious comedy. Find out more >>

Tags: recommendations