One in six people are deaf or have some hearing loss and we want to make sure everyone is included in our Churches. One in a thousand people have more severe Deafness and use British Sign language (BSL) as their language of choice.
We want to make sure every church is inclusive. Not only does it open the riches of the Christian Faith to Deaf people, but the use of Sign Language enhances worship, and the presence of the Deaf community enriches the Church. We can also help schools explore the Bible and faith in Sign Language.
Revd Neil Robinson is Chaplain to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Contact Revd Neil: email, deafpriest@icloud.com, text, 07717 055219
Approximately 11 million people in the UK have some form of hearing loss and sadly, many services remain inaccessible to deaf people. As our communities continue to grow, Revd Neil Robinson, Chaplain to the Deaf Community, has recently published new guidelines to “help familiarise yourself with how to engage with people with various levels of hearing loss within the church setting” and how to “be aware of their needs in terms of communication”.
This resource is for all members of the congregation, lay people and clergy. Please further and strengthen your skills of communication for all.
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Guidelines on working with Deaf Community
• Here are some written guidance notes on how to communicate with deaf people.
• Disability & the church podcast, hosted by The Church of England.
• The Church of England resource page.
We are keen to ensure Deaf people have access to Church of England Weddings, Funerals and Baptisms in our diocese. Various services can be offered in British Sign Language (BSL) or other methods of communication to meet everyone’s needs. To secure an interpreter, please contact The Revd Neil Robinson, Chaplain to the Deaf and hard of hearing.
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DEAF CHAPLAINCY SERVICE
Contact the The Revd Neil Robinson
Chaplain to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Email: deafpriest@icloud.com Text: 07717 055219