{"id":720,"date":"2022-02-09T11:14:17","date_gmt":"2022-02-09T11:14:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/?page_id=720"},"modified":"2026-03-31T17:21:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T16:21:25","slug":"sign-language","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/ways-of-communicating\/sign-language\/","title":{"rendered":"Sign language"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-hs-group    align-wide\">\t\t<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n  <div class=\"wp-block  box  ctaBox    is-style-textured-secondary-tint-10  align-right  size-medium\">\n    <div class=\"ctaBox__row\">\n      <div class=\"ctaBox__content\">\n        <div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Get our emails in your inbox<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Join over 87,000 others, and be part of the movement driving change for disabled people. <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n      <div class=\"ctaBox__cta\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/get-our-emails-in-your-inbox\/\" class=\"button  button--primary\">Sign up now<\/a>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-intro\">This page explains the basics of sign language, including how it works, who uses it and how to learn it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Find out more about British Sign Language, and other forms of signing like Makaton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-primary-bullets\">\n<li><a href=\"#what\">What is sign language?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#benefits\">Benefits of sign language<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#bsl\">British Sign Language (BSL)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#other\">Other types of sign language<\/a>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#fingerspelling\">Fingerspelling<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#handson\">Hands-on BSL<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#sse\">Sign Supported English (SSE)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#makaton\">Makaton<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n  <div class=\"wp-block  box    is-style-textured-grey-tint-10  align-wide\">    <div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Before you read on\u2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-primary-bullets\">\n<li>You can communicate using a mix of different ways (we all do!).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>At Sense, we use whatever combination of speech, touch, sign or visual language works best.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It\u2019s never too late to start.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have a go and don\u2019t worry about getting it wrong.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what\"><strong>What is sign language?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sign language is a way of communicating using hand gestures and movements, body language and facial expressions, instead of spoken words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The most common form of sign language in the UK is British Sign Language (BSL). BSL is a language in its own right.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sign language is used mainly by people who are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/conditions\/deafness-and-hearing-loss\/\">D\/deaf or have hearing impairments<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some people describe themselves as \u201cDeaf\u201d with a capital \u201cD\u201d to express pride in their Deaf identity.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/conditions\/deafness-and-hearing-loss\/\">Find out more about D\/deafness and hearing loss.&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some forms of sign language are also used by people with other communication and learning needs, and babies who haven\u2019t yet started speaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"when\"><strong>When was sign language invented?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Historians believe that sign language is probably older than spoken language.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first evidence of people using hand signs and gestures to communicate dates all the way back to the fifth century.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Formally, the history of sign language in Western societies begins around the 17th century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"#history\">Find out more about the history of British Sign Language.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"who\"><strong>Who invented sign language?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Sign language was created by many people around the world.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is because different sign languages developed independently around the world at different times. They were mostly created by D\/deaf people as a way of communicating with their communities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some forms of sign language were also created by monks who had taken a vow of silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"universal\"><strong>Is sign language universal?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Like any spoken language, such as Italian or Spanish, sign language varies across countries. There are lots of different sign languages across the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the UK, \u201csign language\u201d usually refers to British Sign Language (BSL).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are also differences within sign languages, in the same way that there are regional differences in the way people speak English around the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, the word \u201cgreen\u201d is generally signed differently in Bristol than it is in Newcastle.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block  slab    is-style-textured-grey-tint-10  align-full\">\n  <div class=\"wrap\">  <div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-title-primary\" id=\"try\">Try using sign language!<\/h2>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller\" id=\"AtoZSpeller\">\n\t\n\t\t<div id=\"AtoZSpeller__wrapper\" class=\"AtoZSpeller__wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div id=\"AtoZSpeller__alphabet\" class=\"AtoZSpeller__wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t<details class=\"accordion__item  box--textured-grey-tint-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"accordion__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"accordion__toggle  h5\">View the complete sign language alphabet<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"accordion__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letters\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letter\" id=\"AtoZSpeller__letter-a\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>A<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/sense-uk\/assets\/img\/sign\/a.png\" alt=\"\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letterDesc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTouch the thumb of your left hand with the index finger of your right hand.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letter\" id=\"AtoZSpeller__letter-b\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>B<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/sense-uk\/assets\/img\/sign\/b.png\" alt=\"\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letterDesc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMake &#8216;O&#8217; shape with your fingers in both of your hands separately. Put your hands together to make an OO shape.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letter\" id=\"AtoZSpeller__letter-c\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>C<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/sense-uk\/assets\/img\/sign\/c.png\" alt=\"\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letterDesc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMake the pattern exactly like the letter &#8216;C&#8217; with your right hand&#8217;s index finger and thumb. Fold the other fingers inwards.\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letter\" id=\"AtoZSpeller__letter-d\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>D<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/sense-uk\/assets\/img\/sign\/d.png\" alt=\"\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letterDesc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPoint the left hand&#8217;s middle finger upward. Touch the tip of this finger with the index finger of your right hand. Touch the knuckle of the left hand&#8217;s index finger with the right hand&#8217;s thumb.\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letter\" id=\"AtoZSpeller__letter-e\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>E<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/sense-uk\/assets\/img\/sign\/e.png\" alt=\"\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letterDesc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTouch the tip of the index finger on your left hand with your right index finger.\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letter\" id=\"AtoZSpeller__letter-f\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>F<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/sense-uk\/assets\/img\/sign\/f.png\" alt=\"\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letterDesc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPut your right hand&#8217;s index and middle fingers on the ones on your left hand. Keep other fingers of both hands folded.\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letter\" id=\"AtoZSpeller__letter-g\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>G<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/sense-uk\/assets\/img\/sign\/g.png\" alt=\"\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letterDesc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMake both of your hands into fists with your thumbs tucked in, and place your right fist on top of your left fist.\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letter\" id=\"AtoZSpeller__letter-h\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>H<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/sense-uk\/assets\/img\/sign\/h.png\" alt=\"\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letterDesc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOpen up the left hand&#8217;s palm facing up. Put your right hand&#8217;s palm on the left hand&#8217;s one. Stroke the right hand in the forward direction, from your wrist to your fingertips.\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letter\" id=\"AtoZSpeller__letter-i\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>I<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/sense-uk\/assets\/img\/sign\/i.png\" alt=\"\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letterDesc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSpread up your left palm and place your right index finger on the middle finger of your other hand.\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letter\" id=\"AtoZSpeller__letter-j\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>J<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/sense-uk\/assets\/img\/sign\/j.png\" alt=\"\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letterDesc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSpread your left palm open, facing up. Move your right index from the tip of the left middle finger down to its thumb as if you are writing the letter \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcJ&#8217; on your hand.\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letter\" id=\"AtoZSpeller__letter-k\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>K<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/sense-uk\/assets\/img\/sign\/k.png\" alt=\"\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letterDesc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPoint upwards with your left hand, make a bent shape with your right index finger and hold it against the left index finger.\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letter\" id=\"AtoZSpeller__letter-l\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>L<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/sense-uk\/assets\/img\/sign\/l.png\" alt=\"\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letterDesc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOpen and face your left palm upward. Right index finger rests on the middle of your left palm with its other fingers closed.\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letter\" id=\"AtoZSpeller__letter-m\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>M<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/sense-uk\/assets\/img\/sign\/m.png\" alt=\"\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letterDesc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHold your left palm out and place the main three fingers on your right hand onto the palm of your left hand.\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letter\" id=\"AtoZSpeller__letter-n\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>N<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/sense-uk\/assets\/img\/sign\/n.png\" alt=\"\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letterDesc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHold your left palm out and place your right index and middle finger in the middle of your palm.\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letter\" id=\"AtoZSpeller__letter-o\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>O<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/sense-uk\/assets\/img\/sign\/o.png\" alt=\"\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letterDesc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHold your left palm out and place your right index finger on the tip of the left ring finger.\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letter\" id=\"AtoZSpeller__letter-p\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>P<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/sense-uk\/assets\/img\/sign\/p.png\" alt=\"\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letterDesc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCreate a circle with your right index finger and thumb. Touch the tip of the left index finger to make a &#8216;P&#8217; shape.\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letter\" id=\"AtoZSpeller__letter-q\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Q<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/sense-uk\/assets\/img\/sign\/q.png\" alt=\"\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letterDesc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPut your left thumb and finger together to make a circle, then hook your right index finger to your left thumb.\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letter\" id=\"AtoZSpeller__letter-r\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>R<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/sense-uk\/assets\/img\/sign\/r.png\" alt=\"\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letterDesc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCurl the index finger of your right hand and place it on the palm of your left hand.\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letter\" id=\"AtoZSpeller__letter-s\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>S<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/sense-uk\/assets\/img\/sign\/s.png\" alt=\"\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letterDesc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSpread your left palm and lock the smallest finger on your left hand with the smallest finger on your right one.\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letter\" id=\"AtoZSpeller__letter-t\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>T<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/sense-uk\/assets\/img\/sign\/t.png\" alt=\"\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letterDesc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKeep your left hand open, palm facing up. Press the palm with your right index fingertip.\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letter\" id=\"AtoZSpeller__letter-u\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>U<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/sense-uk\/assets\/img\/sign\/u.png\" alt=\"\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letterDesc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPlace your right index finger on the tip of the left smallest finger.\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letter\" id=\"AtoZSpeller__letter-v\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>V<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/sense-uk\/assets\/img\/sign\/v.png\" alt=\"\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letterDesc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMake a \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcV&#8217; symbol with your right hand and rest it on your open left palm.\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letter\" id=\"AtoZSpeller__letter-w\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>W<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/sense-uk\/assets\/img\/sign\/w.png\" alt=\"\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letterDesc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tInterlock the fingers of your both hands and point them up diagonally.\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letter\" id=\"AtoZSpeller__letter-x\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>X<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/sense-uk\/assets\/img\/sign\/x.png\" alt=\"\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letterDesc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCurl in all the fingers of your both hands except the index fingers. Make a cross with the index fingers.\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letter\" id=\"AtoZSpeller__letter-y\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Y<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/sense-uk\/assets\/img\/sign\/y.png\" alt=\"\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letterDesc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExtend your left thumb and index finger and place your right index finger between them.\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letter\" id=\"AtoZSpeller__letter-z\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Z<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/sense-uk\/assets\/img\/sign\/z.png\" alt=\"\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"AtoZSpeller__letterDesc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOpen both your palms. Point your left palm upwards and touch the middle of it with the fingers of your right hand. Keep your right hand flat, parallel to the ground.\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- end #AtoZSpeller__alphabet -->\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- end #AtoZSpeller__wrapper -->\n\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-hs-group    align-wide\">\t\t<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n  <div class=\"wp-block  box    is-style-textured-pink-tint-10  align-wide\" id=\"benefits\">    <div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Benefits of sign language<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-secondary-bullets\">\n<li><strong>Communication.<\/strong> Of course, the biggest benefit of sign language is that it\u2019s a crucial way for many D\/deaf people to communicate and build relationships. The more people who can use sign language, the more inclusive society can be.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Expression. <\/strong>Signing is not just about hand gestures, but facial expressions and body language, too! Learning how to sign can make you more expressive.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Creativity.<\/strong> Sign language is an imaginative language, and learning how to use it can open up new ways to express yourself and create meaning.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"bsl\"><strong>British Sign Language (BSL)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>BSL is the most common sign language in the UK.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Northern Ireland, Irish Sign Language (ISL) is used as well as BSL. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishdeafsociety.ie\/irish-sign-language\/\">Find out more about ISL on the Irish Deaf Society website.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>BSL, like all sign language, is more than hand shapes and movements. Lip patterns, facial expressions and shoulder movements are important, and when used well, really enhance meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is a complete language, with its own vocabulary, grammar and word order, as well as its own social beliefs, behaviours, art, history and values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n  <div class=\"wp-block  box    is-style-textured-secondary-tint-10  align-wide\">    <div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"syntax\"><strong>How BSL syntax differs from English<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In BSL, you start with the main subject or topic. Then, you say something about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, for example, in English, you say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Q: \u201cWhat is your name?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A: \u201cMy name is George.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But in BSL, you say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Q: \u201cName \u2013 what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A: \u201cName me George.\u201d<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-hs-group    align-wide  margin-bottom-3xl\">\t\t<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-default\" id=\"watch\">Watch someone using British Sign Language<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Watch George using BSL and fingerspelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/communication\/sign-language\/george-video-with-audio-description\/\">Audio described version of Say Hello to George with transcript.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Say Hello to George\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UwY4q-5pRuQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"history\"><strong>The history of BSL<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The earliest documented use of sign language in the UK was in 1576. Church records from St Martin\u2019s Church in Leicester show that sign language was used in a marriage ceremony between two people named Thomas Tilsye and Ursula Russel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But although D\/deaf people used sign language all around the country, up until around the 1970s signing wasn\u2019t encouraged. Many D\/deaf children were taught with an emphasis on spoken and written language.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Deaf academic, writer and activist Paddy Ladd is often credited as helping to boost the profile of BSL. He hosted a programme called See Hear using speech and sign on the BBC in the 1980s.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2003, the government made a formal statement acknowledging that BSL is a language in its own right.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n  <div class=\"wp-block  box    is-style-textured-primary-tint-10  align-wide\">    <div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"bslact\"><strong>British Sign Language Act 2022<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2021, the British Deaf Association launched a campaign called BSL Act Now, to get BSL legally recognised as an official language of England, Wales and Scotland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The BSL Act was introduced to the House of Commons by Labour MP Rosie Cooper, and supported by thousands of people at a rally in Trafalgar Square.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The BSL Act 2022 became law in Spring 2022.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-hs-group    align-wide\">\t\t<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"howmany\"><strong>How many people use BSL as their main language?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>BSL is the language of the Deaf community in the UK, who use a capital D to express pride in their identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For over 87,000 British Deaf people, BSL is their first language. English may be their second or even third language.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s estimated that BSL is used by around 125,000 adults and 20,000 children in total.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>BSL interpreters enable communication between D\/deaf sign language users and hearing people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n  <div class=\"wp-block  box    is-style-textured-grey-tint-10  align-wide\">    <div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"bslinterpreters\"><strong>BSL interpreters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you need to book an interpreter, check they are registered with either:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-secondary-bullets\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nrcpd.org.uk\/\">National Registers of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People (NRCPD)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/thescottishregister.co.uk\/\">Scottish Association of Sign Language Interpreters (SASLI)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Tips for hearing people using BSL interpreters<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>It is important to remember that the interpreter is not just interpreting for the D\/deaf person. They are also interpreting for the hearing person.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Interpreters should be positioned in a place where D\/deaf people can easily see them and also see the person they are talking to.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are a hearing person speaking to a D\/deaf person via an interpreter, keep looking at the D\/deaf person while you speak. Address the person directly, as you would talk to a hearing person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, don\u2019t say \u201cCan you tell him\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Speak at your normal speed and volume.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote alignwide is-style-secondary-tint-10\"><blockquote><p>\u201cIt was such a rewarding moment when Sam signed \u2018more\u2019 to get extra time on the swing. We\u2019d been immersing Sam in sign language for months and months, by signing our conversations so he got used to language<span style=\"color: inherit; font-size: inherit; text-align: inherit;\">. Finally, he started using it himself!\u201d<\/span><\/p><cite>Sarah Turpin, senior MSI practitioner for Sense<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-hs-group    align-wide\">\t\t<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"learnbsl\"><strong>How to learn BSL<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Learning BSL is like learning any other language. People who grow up using BSL as their first language learn by being immersed in a signing environment as children.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019d like to learn BSL as a second or third language, you can learn in person by signing up to a course with a qualified BSL teacher. You\u2019ll start with the basics and work your way up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The pace is up to you. You can learn part-time, in the evening, or if you want to learn quicker, you can find intensive courses with daytime or weekend classes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The best way to develop your signing skills is to practice as much as you can. Spend time with D\/deaf people, and in the Deaf community, as much as possible.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can often learn in local colleges, universities, schools, Deaf clubs and community centres. Find your nearest BSL course by visiting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.signature.org.uk\/\">Signature<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-hs-group    align-wide\">\t\t<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Signature<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Signature is a national charity and the leading awarding body for D\/deaf communication qualifications in the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All Signature qualifications are nationally recognised and accredited by Ofqual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With almost 40 years\u2019 experience, Signature has supported more than 450,000 people to learn BSL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.signature.org.uk\/\">Signature\u2019s work, courses and qualifications<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n  <div class=\"wp-block  box    is-style-textured-primary-tint-10\">    <div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"tips\"><strong>4 top tips for learning BSL<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list is-style-pink-blob-counter\">\n<li><strong>Learn the BSL fingerspelling alphabet. <\/strong>They\u2019re quick to learn and an easy way to get started. Practise every day for 10 minutes and you\u2019ll pick them up in no time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Facial expressions are key! <\/strong>You use them to show the mood of the conversation or topic.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Don\u2019t be afraid to be expressive. <\/strong>Want to show \u201cit\u2019s raining heavily\u201d or \u201cit\u2019s really windy\u201d? Show it in your facial expression and sign \u201crain\u201d or \u201cwind\u201d more strongly with your hand movement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Teach a friend. <\/strong>Teaching someone else as you learn is one of the best ways of remembering what you\u2019ve learnt.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"other\"><strong>Other types of sign language<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"fingerspelling\"><strong>Fingerspelling<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Fingerspelling is the BSL alphabet. Every letter of the alphabet has a sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can use these letter signs to spell out words \u2013 often names and places \u2013 and sentences on your hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fingerspelling is an easy way to communicate if you don\u2019t know or can\u2019t remember some BSL signs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"handson\"><strong>Hands-on BSL<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are D\/deaf and also have a visual impairment that means you can\u2019t see signing at a distance, you can use hands-on BSL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With hands-on BSL, you and the person you\u2019re communicating with use the BSL signs on each other\u2019s hands, not on your own.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block  slab    is-style-textured-primary-tint-10  align-full\">\n  <div class=\"wrap\">  <div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-title-secondary\">Watch someone using hands-on BSL<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Watch Helene using hands-on signing as one of the ways she communicates. She also explains how you can say \u201chello\u201d using block, another fingerspelling alphabet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/communication\/sign-language\/helene-video-with-audio-description\/\">Audio described version of Say Hello to Helene with transcript.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Say Hello to Helene\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0MljwWYTNUc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-hs-group    align-wide\">\t\t<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"sse\"><strong>Sign Supported English (SSE)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Sign Supported English (SSE) is a term used to describe signing and speaking English at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Often, SSE borrows BSL signs and uses them in the order they are used in spoken English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>BSL is a unique language, with its own word order and syntax. But SSE generally follows the same grammatical rules as English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can\u2019t learn SSE. It\u2019s not a language in the same way that BSL is. But communicating with SSE can be helpful in some circumstances (for example, if you\u2019re learning BSL).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"makaton\"><strong>Makaton<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Makaton is a simplified way of signing. It\u2019s sometimes called \u201ckey word signing\u201d.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s not a formal sign language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n  <div class=\"wp-block  box    is-style-textured-grey-tint-10  align-wide\">    <div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Differences between Makaton and BSL<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-secondary-bullets\">\n<li>BSL is an officially recognised language. Makaton is not.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>BSL is the language of the Deaf community. Makaton is a form of signing mostly used by hearing people who have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/conditions\/learning-disabilities\/\">learning disabilities<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/conditions\/autism\/\">autism<\/a> or different communication needs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In Makaton, words are used in spoken word order. BSL has its own syntax and word order that is different to spoken language.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/communication\/makaton\/\">Read our page about Makaton to learn more<\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n  <div class=\"wp-block  box    is-style-textured-blue-tint-10  align-center\">    <div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other types of communication<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>These are the main ways of communicating that we use:<\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t\t<ul class=\"iconList  iconList--columns  iconList--big\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"iconList__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"iconList__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/communication_touch_Orange_RGB-150x150.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Touching an object\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/communication_touch_Orange_RGB-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/communication_touch_Orange_RGB-500x500.png 500w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/communication_touch_Orange_RGB-450x450.png 450w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/communication_touch_Orange_RGB-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/communication_touch_Orange_RGB-100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/communication_touch_Orange_RGB.png 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"iconList__content\"><p><b>Using touch<\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"is-style-primary-bullets\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/communication\/braille\/\">Braille<\/a>\u00a0uses raised dots to touch.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/communication\/deafblind-manual\/\">Deafblind Manual<\/a>\u00a0spells words on to your hand.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/communication\/block-alphabet\/\">Block alphabet<\/a>\u00a0spells letters on to your hand.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/communication\/moon\/\">Moon<\/a> uses raised lines, curves and dots to touch.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/communication\/tadoma\/\">Tadoma<\/a> uses lipreading by touch.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/communication\/hand-under-hand-signing\/\">Hand-under-hand signing<\/a>\u00a0using touch.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"iconList__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"iconList__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/communication_sign_hands_Orange_RGB-150x150.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Two hands signing\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/communication_sign_hands_Orange_RGB-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/communication_sign_hands_Orange_RGB-500x500.png 500w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/communication_sign_hands_Orange_RGB-450x450.png 450w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/communication_sign_hands_Orange_RGB-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/communication_sign_hands_Orange_RGB-100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/communication_sign_hands_Orange_RGB.png 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"iconList__content\"><p><b>Using signs<\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"is-style-primary-bullets\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/communication\/makaton\/\">Makaton<\/a>, a simpler version of sign language.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/communication\/visual-frame-signing\/\">Visual frame signing<\/a>\u00a0for people with reduced vision.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/communication\/objects-of-reference\/\">Objects of reference<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"iconList__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"iconList__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/voice_speech_bubble_2_Orange_RGB-150x150.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Speech bubble\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/voice_speech_bubble_2_Orange_RGB-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/voice_speech_bubble_2_Orange_RGB-500x500.png 500w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/voice_speech_bubble_2_Orange_RGB-450x450.png 450w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/voice_speech_bubble_2_Orange_RGB-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/voice_speech_bubble_2_Orange_RGB-100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/voice_speech_bubble_2_Orange_RGB.png 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"iconList__content\"><p><b>Using speech<\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"is-style-primary-bullets\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/communication\/clear-speech\/\">Clear speech<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/communication\/lipreading\/\">Lipreading<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"iconList__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"iconList__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Choices-sign_Orange_PNG_RGB-150x150.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"An orange paint brush mark illustration of a sign post pointing in different directions, representing choices.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Choices-sign_Orange_PNG_RGB-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Choices-sign_Orange_PNG_RGB-600x600.png 600w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Choices-sign_Orange_PNG_RGB-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Choices-sign_Orange_PNG_RGB-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Choices-sign_Orange_PNG_RGB-500x500.png 500w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Choices-sign_Orange_PNG_RGB-450x450.png 450w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Choices-sign_Orange_PNG_RGB-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Choices-sign_Orange_PNG_RGB-100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Choices-sign_Orange_PNG_RGB.png 1201w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" style=\"object-position: 50% 50%;\" \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"iconList__content\"><p><b>Also<\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"is-style-primary-bullets\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/communication\/non-formal-communication\/\">Non-formal communication<\/a>\u00a0without speaking, writing or signing.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/communication\/intensive-interaction\/\">Intensive Interaction<\/a>\u00a0treating everything as communication.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n  <div class=\"wp-block  box    is-style-textured-red-tint-10  align-wide  size-medium\">    <div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stay in touch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ths-sense-harry-sarah-storyteller-13337-scaled-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A woman and her son lie on the floor, reading a book. The mother, Sarah, is smiling. The boy, Harry, who has blue glasses and an orange t-shirt on, is concentrating on the book.\" class=\"wp-image-1512\"\/ style=\"object-position: 49.95% 35.13%;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ths-sense-harry-sarah-storyteller-13337-scaled-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ths-sense-harry-sarah-storyteller-13337-scaled-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ths-sense-harry-sarah-storyteller-13337-scaled-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ths-sense-harry-sarah-storyteller-13337-scaled-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ths-sense-harry-sarah-storyteller-13337-scaled-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ths-sense-harry-sarah-storyteller-13337-scaled-1050x700.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ths-sense-harry-sarah-storyteller-13337-scaled-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ths-sense-harry-sarah-storyteller-13337-scaled-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ths-sense-harry-sarah-storyteller-13337-scaled-350x233.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ths-sense-harry-sarah-storyteller-13337-scaled-1600x1067.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Get updates about our vital work, including volunteering, making a donation or supporting Sense campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-white\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/sign-up-for-our-emails\/\">Sign up today<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n  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