NEWS 2007
Business Award - Employee of the Year
Mary Mackenzie one in a million.
Mary the Manager of School of Sign Language was nominated for the Lancashire Evening Telegraph Employee of the Year Award.
We are very proud of Mary’s achievements, and would like to personally thank her for all her hard work. Well done!
You can read the full story here just click on the link below
http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk
Barclays Trading Places Awards
Debra Reynolds, School of Sign Language, Fiona Bruce, Broadcaster and Presenter
Debra Reynolds is congratulated on being named the Silver Winner in the UK’s top Business Award in the 2007 Barclays Trading Places Awards
BLACKBURN WOMAN TRIUMPHS OVER ADVERSITY TO BE NAMED THE SILVER WINNER IN NATIONAL BUSINESS HERO AWARDS
The School of Sign Language shines out as a real-life example of an outstanding business that has thrived despite what seemed like impossible odds.
"I congratulate Debra on reaching the National Finals and hope her inspiring story will prove to other people in Blackburn that self employment can be possible if you’ve got a dream and the guts and determination to make it work.
As part of their prize, the 10 National Finalists will all attend a glittering gala Awards Dinner in London at the Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square, on October 2nd 2007, where they will each receive £2,000 worth of free business advertising from Thomson Local Directories, plus software worth £450 courtesy of Microsoft. In addition, the winner and runner-up, to be announced on the night, will also collect £5,000 and £3,000 respectively, courtesy of Barclays.
Podcast a sign of the times
Thursday, 3rd May 2007
School of Sign Language along with www.maxiwebs.co.uk have collaborated to bring to you 8 video podcasts for Deaf Awareness Week 7th - 13th May 2007.
This is thought to be the first podcast of its kind, and sparked so much attention, the Lancashire Evening Telegraph got hold of it!
You can find out more in The Lancashire Evening Telegraph.
10 year old on our CACDP BSL Level 2 Course
A good sign for caring Natasha
5th September 2007
TEN-YEAR-OLD Natasha Hough is used to being seen and not heard.
For while most kids her age are busy chatting with their friends, the youngster prefers to communicate by sign language and has just passed a British Sign Language course.
Natasha was introduced to signing at the age of four when she joined Linden Road Primary in Denton which has a specialist unit for deaf children.
All pupils are given the chance to learn sign language at an after-school club so they can talk to their hearing-impaired peers.
Mum, Tracey, of Haughton Hall Road, said: "Her teacher said she should take a course as she would easily pass Level One, but it took us about 12 months to find somewhere because she is so young.
"We eventually found a course in Preston which she went to every Saturday morning for three months.
"I think because she has been doing it since being four, it has become second nature. Now she helps her teachers and the other pupils because she knows more than they do!"
As well as signing with her school friends, Natasha also put her skills to good use when she saw a deaf man in a bank and stepped in to help the cashier understand what he was trying to say.
She now plans to take level two in the series of three courses which can be taken to learn sign language.
"My friends with hearing problems think it's good and I've been teaching my cousin and my auntie," she said.
"It was a bit difficult at first to fit it in with all my other schoolwork, but I enjoy it and I'd like to work with deaf people when I'm older."
Tracey added: "It's brilliant - we're all really proud of her."
SOSL receives Employment Charter Award
Wednesday, 18th April 2007
School of Sign Language was presented with an esteemed award to celebrate businesses within the Blackburn with Darwen Borough who employ people with disabilities.
School of Sign Language have employed 2 Profoundly Deaf Tutors, as well as 3 Deaf work placements.
Receiving the award on behalf of School of Sign Language was Debbie Reynolds, Company Director and Mary MacKenzie, Manager. Presenting the award was Cllr. Andy Kay, Executive Member of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council for Regeneration and Ted Robins, BBC Radio Lancashire Presenter, Actor and Comedian.
Debbie Reynolds expressed gratitude for the help and support of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council over the past 12 months. A special thank you goes out to Julie Francis whose help in many aspects of the business has been invaluable.
Youngest Pupil ever to Pass CACDP Level 1 Course Tutored by SOSL
Wednesday, 25th April 2007
Duncan MacKenzie has successfully completed the CACDP Level 1 of the Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People (C.A.C.D.P.) Stage 1 examination in British Sign Language (B.S.L.). Duncan is only 10 years old, I'm sure you'll agree he's done wonderfully well with his achievements on what is quite a difficult adult course.
Duncan says "Passing my Level 1 is one of the most bestest things that has happened to me because I can now communicate with Bev [School of Sign Language's BSL Development Officer] and other Deaf people.
Sign Language is one of the most important languages you can learn. I have made lots of friends. "
Duncan's Mum, Mary (Manager of SOSL) said "I am so proud of my son who is only 10 years old, and has committed his Wednesday evenings to join an adult C.A.C.D.P. Level 1 course. He has thoroughly enjoyed this class, and has made lots of new friends. He can now communicate at a basic level with Deaf people and hopefully will continue to learn with enthusiasm in order to work towards becoming an interpreter in the future. (Like his Mum!)".
School of Sign Language is very proud to have Duncan as the youngest pupil to pass the exam.
SOSL Company Director in Line for Top Award
Friday, 13th April 2007
The School of Sign Language Managing Director, Miss Debbie Reynolds, 33, has been nominated for the prestigious and much coveted Inttranet Linguist of the Year award for 2006.
The nominees, 29 in total, from all over the world, include Interpreters killed in the Iraqi conflict, Professors from the world renowned MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and high ranking Military personnel.
The Inttranet's aims are to raise the profile and importance of linguistics and languages around the globe.
Debbie has been nominated for her breaking down barriers between the Deaf and hearing worlds, recruiting Deaf BSL (British Sign Language) Tutors to teach BSL to hearing children and adults, and her fight to have BSL legally recognised by the government as a language.
Debbie hopes that in the not too distant future, BSL will become a GCSE option, which will help tackle the dire shortage of BSL interpreters in the UK, the ratio being 1 Interpreter to every 105 Deaf people.
Debbie first grabbed the attention of the Inttranet from an article published in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, and it snowballed from there!
STOP PRESS!
Debbie came 5th out of 29 in the Inttranet Linguist of the Year awards, a truly massive achievement and a triumph for all Deaf, Hard of Hearing people and BSL users across the United Kingdom. Congratulations Debbie!
Chorley Scouts Use SOSL course for Duke of Edinburgh Award
Monday, 2nd April 2007
Chorley District Scouts Group have this week completed their Sign Stage 1 and 2 Certificates. The certificates were presented by School of Sign Language's BSL Development Officer, Beverley Davies.
The course was attended by both boys and girls aged between 14 and 16 and was completed at Chorley Scouts' centre.
Karen Lund, School of Sign Language volunteer, joined the Chorley Scout Group to aid communication by voicing over for Beverley one of School of Sign Language's Deaf Tutors. She said "the group really seemed to enjoy their classes and joined in with the whole learning process. They interacted well together and asked questions to prove their understanding of the various topics." She added "the classes were great fun because games were played to help them learn and everyone enjoyed themselves."
SOSL Staff First for First Aid
Tuesday, 2nd January 2007
Debbie Reynolds, Managing Director, Mary MacKenzie, Manager and Beverley Davies, BSL Development Officer of School of Sign Language today completed a basic First Aid course, funded by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and run by British Red Cross. Mary said "the course was a really enjoyable learning experience and the Tutor was excellent." They all enjoyed the teamwork aspect of the course. Mary and Debbie Interpreted for Beverley Davies, who is profoundly Deaf. Mary added "A big thank you goes out to Julie Francis for inviting us on this course".
Real Life Stories
| Employee | Beverley Davies |
| Job | Development Officer |
| Sector | Education and training |
| Company | School of Sign Language, Blackburn |
“Being deaf doesn't stop me trying new things and I love a challenge. That's why I took on the risk of studying for another qualification, so that I could get a better job”
"It feels like a dream come true". That's what 39 year old Beverley Davies said about her job as a Development Officer for the School of Sign Language in Blackburn. The school is a small company with about seven permanent employees and a team of freelance workers and volunteer workers.
Ideal Match
Beverley, who is profoundly deaf, had various jobs in both the public and private sector before she took a PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) qualification and found a job that was the ideal match for her skills and interests. She said: “I took the PGCE qualification because I wanted to improve myself and knew I could do better as far as employment was concerned.” As a Development Officer, Beverley works on the training side of the business.
Beverley has faced barriers because of her deafness so feels very passionate about her work with local organisations breaking down some of those barriers. She delivers workshops to schools, churches, community centres and prisons and trains children and adults to use sign language. This she says, enables them to be better equipped to communicate with the deaf community.
Beverley was the first person to be employed by the School of Sign Language which was set up by founder and Managing Director Debbie Reynolds in 2006. Debbie herself is hearing impaired and understands the barriers and the discrimination faced by deaf people. She also recognises that some employers have missed opportunities to employ deaf people who have skills, abilities and the personal qualities to contribute to the success of a business.
As an employer, Debbie recognised Beverley’s skills particularly in relation to training other people. Debbie also recognised Beverley’s potential to grow with the business. She said: “When I first employed her, Beverley worked mainly with children but then as her confidence grew she started to work with adults in prisons and other organisations.” Beverley shadows more experienced tutors as part of her professional development and will eventually start delivering training to companies.
Award Winner
In 2007, Debbie was the silver winner in the Barclays Trading Places Awards. The awards, whose supporters include Jobcentre Plus, were launched as a national celebration of men and women who have triumphed over the odds to set up thriving businesses and positively changed their lives in the process. As an employer, Debbie has given Beverley an opportunity that has ‘positively changed’ her life.
Message to other Employers
“Employers need to be more open minded and to give people a chance. If they work with somebody who's deaf, they'll be able to see what they can do. Until they've actually had the experience of working with a deaf or disabled person, they won't know what they're able to do.”
Debbie Reynolds, Managing Director.
Employee's Story
Beverley worked hard to gain her qualifications and also gained valuable experience through voluntary work. She is making good progress in her job and taking on increased responsibility. She works both with hearing and deaf colleagues and communicates using a variety of methods such as sign language or the assistance of an interpreter. A multi-function alerting device is used in the main office to ensure that Beverley and other hearing impaired staff, workers or clients can be alerted to telephone and door bell rings, smoke and fire alarms.
Risen to the Challenge
Beverley’s job as a Development Officer requires travel across the region but Beverley does not have a driving license. Although she has never before had the confidence to learn to drive, she has now risen to the challenge however and is taking driving lessons. Managing Director Debbie Reynolds, was able to obtain some funding to pay for Beverley’s driving lessons from the Employment Impact Scheme which is jointly funded by the European Social Fund and Jobcentre Plus.
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From a personal perspective, Beverley believes that the biggest personal gain she has experienced since she started her job at the School for Sign Language is her growth in confidence. In addition, she draws a great deal of satisfaction from having a job that she believes can and will make a difference to other people’s lives. She said: “I feel so proud, really proud and so much more confident because of my job.”
SOSL
