Online British Sign Language Course Breaks Down Communication Barriers

November 16, 2006 - Press Dispensary - For those who want to talk to a deaf or hearing-impaired friend, colleague or family member in their own language but don’t have the knowledge to do so, the communication barrier can prove frustrating. Now, the basics of British Sign Language (BSL) can now be learned online thanks to ‘Introducing British Sign Language’ ( http://british-sign-online.co.uk ) – a course comprising seven sessions and teaching more than 400 signs plus the ability to compose simple phrases.

The project is the first in a series of major online resources being developed by sign language software company Waterfall Rainbows ( http://british-sign.co.uk ), working in partnership with Guernsey-based web development company, Solarstorm Design ( http://solarstormdesign.co.uk ).

Simon Harvey, who set up Waterfall Rainbows in 2005 and is also co-founder of Solarstorm Design, says: “Sign language is the primary means of communication for millions of people world-wide who live with hearing impairments. Our aim is to make sign language tuition accessible to everyone.”

He continues: “Sign language has largely developed independently of spoken language, and has its own grammatical structure and syntax. In the same way that spoken languages differ from country to country, so do sign languages.”

“Many users of British Sign Language face difficulties every day because of the communication barrier that exists between sign language and spoken language. These difficulties occur in almost all areas of life, from buying food in a supermarket to travelling by public transport.

“Many sign language users find it frustrating that the vast majority of the hearing population doesn’t even have a basic understanding of their language – one of the native languages of the British Isles.”

Introducing British Sign Language teaches the essentials of a language which is used on a daily basis by more than 250,000 people. It costs £15 and is suitable both for staff training purposes and for any individual who wishes to learn sign language.

The course uses interactive video technology and online assessments so users learn the basics of sign language without being tied down to regular classes, which can prove expensive. It has already been hailed by students as “easy to learn and remember”.

Users also learn about the culture of deaf people, and can take part in discussions with other students about relevant issues.

Waterfall Rainbows has already won praise from the British Association of Teachers of the Deaf (BATOD) for an earlier educational software release, ‘Sign to Me’, which was developed by Simon Harvey while he was working as a teaching assistant with hearing-impaired children in Guernsey. BATOD reviewer Rosie Edge described the CD-ROM as “an invaluable resource for anybody, deaf or hearing, who is interested in learning to sign”.

- Ends -

Waterfall Rainbows is a sign language software company set up by Simon Harvey in 2005. It is currently developing a range of online sign language resources.

Solarstorm Design is a web development company run by brothers Chris and Simon Harvey on the Channel Island of Guernsey. It specialises in low-cost website design for small businesses, as well as e-commerce and digital design.

Journalists wishing to try out Introducing British Sign Language can access the following demonstration account.
Log in at: http://www.british-sign-online.co.uk
Username: journalist
Password: journalist

For further information, please contact:
Simon Harvey, co-founder, Solarstorm Design
Tel: 0141 4163825
Email:
Site: british-sign-online.co.uk