BSL student raises Deaf awareness

Dana Whigan, British Sign Language student and Horizons Student Rep has been involved in a range of awareness-raising events this term.

Horizons classes may have ended for this academic year but the summer term has been bustling with activities raising awareness of British Sign Language (BSL) and the Deaf community.

In April, BSL teacher Nikiaisha Thompson and BSL Level 2 student Dana Whigan conducted a Deaf awareness workshop at City & Islington College. Dana led one of the training sessions delivered to Level 1 and 2 Childcare students at the college. The Early Years Team were delighted with the event and deeply grateful for Dana giving up revision time to deliver the sessions. The engaging delivery and excellent resources used  were praised as well as the emphasis on inclusivity and diversity.
The students received certificates upon completing the workshop with some showing interest in enrolling in the Imperial after:hours BSL course next term. 

May saw national Deaf Awareness Week from 6th-12th. Working with the university's DSI visual corridor, Dana arranged for a series of videos promoting BSL to be displayed on the screens in South Kensington. CLCC also ran a mini X campaign teaching some essential BSL signs. Dana even led a takeover of the Imperial College London Instagram account talking about Deaf awareness.

• Watch Dana's 5-minute compilation of her Instagram takeover on LinkedIn

Dana, who is a Medical Biosciences student and Horizons BSL Student Rep also recently featured in Imperial people where she talks about the community that has formed amongst the Imperial students. Thank you Dana for all your work bringing attention to BSL.

• Read Dana's Imperial People profile.

Imperial College London undergraduate students can take modules in British Sign Language via Imperial Horizons. For staff, students or members of the public, British Sign Language classes are also available via Imperial after:hours.