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Hello, I'm enjoying the BSL introduction course heaps. I wish more hearing people learned sign language so we could communicate more readily in different spaces using BSL (or another sign language). It'd be such a nudge to encouraging inclusivity of the Deaf community. I'm learning because I've always wanted to and stumbled across the free course online but see such potential in BSL for people like me who experience sensory overwhelm from sounds and people due to other invisible disabilities. Good luck everyone that's learning and hi to all.

Hi my name is Danielle.

Hi Everyone I have noticed a lot of people's reasons for learning BSL are out of interest and progression which is really nice to see! I can't say it was something I had ever particularly thought about learning until I suffered from Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL) earlier this year. After experiencing severe hearing loss on one side and suddenly struggling with day to day communication it has been quite a shock for me. Although I am able to communicate through speech it is not always easy even with aids especially in busy and loud environments and it can lead me to feeling quite isolated. From what I can see there is a really supportive and strong community for Deaf people but I haven't managed to speak to many other people who has suffered sudden unilateral hearing loss who are practising switching between speech and BSL as two means of communication - it would be great to speak to anyone who is experiencing something similar to me? It would be great to connect with anyone who is in the early stages of learning BSL! Jasmine