MPs Show their support for SPREAD THE SIGN #Doncasterisgreat

Two local MPs are among the first to officially show their support for the work Doncaster Deaf Trust are undertaking on an online tool to bring Sign Language to the world.

The team, from Doncaster Deaf Trust, have been working with other European countries since 2006 to develop the European Commission Funded www.spreadthesign.com project.

Rosie Winterton MP and Ed Miliband MP have written to the Trust to offer their support for the project and help to raise awareness.

Ed Miliband MP said: “I have always been impressed by the work the Trust does and I believe that highlighting that work and raising awareness of campaigns such as the Spread the Sign project is a good thing.”

Doncaster Deaf Trust’s involvement in Spread the Sign began in 2006 when the project started and since then they have filmed almost 12,000 British sign language words for the online dictionary. They are well on target for the 15,000 words they need to reach by June.

Alan Robinson, executive principal, at Doncaster Deaf Trust said: “We are delighted that both Rosie and Ed have shown their support for this fantastic project.

“We are extremely proud to be involved in Spread the Sign and it is making a real difference to Deaf and hard of hearing people from across the globe.

“We are looking for support and ambassadors for this project and have written to a number of high profile people and dignitaries.”

Spread the Sign is a great tool for deaf people but can also be used to help to promote deaf awareness in the work place and help to equip people who are dealing with the public with some of the basic signs needed to communicate.

“What began life as an online resource for students wishing to learn sign language in other European styles has now developed to a global online website and app which is being used from Japan to Australia and Germany to the UK.

“We are thrilled by what we have achieved so far and all of the work our team in Doncaster has put in to get us to this stage.

“We now need to look at the next steps and identify suitable funding or sponsorship to ensure that www.spreadthesign.com continues to develop and provide people with the ability to communicate using sign language where ever they are,” added Alan.

Partners from Austria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Iceland, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Turkey and the UK took part in the meeting.

bringing Sign Language to the world

There are approximately 70 million people across the globe who use sign language as their first language or mother tongue and www.spreadthesign.com is a free tool available to help them to communicate.