British Sign Language for Healthcare Students

About the event

Designed specifically for healthcare students, this session focuses on the BSL and communication skills you’re most likely to use in practice. 

You’ll learn signs and strategies for taking basic histories, explaining procedures, giving reassurance and working with interpreters in clinical environments. The workshop also covers Deaf awareness, accessibility and how to create inclusive interactions with Deaf patients and colleagues. 

By attending, you’ll not only gain the ability to connect with members of the Deaf community, but also the following skills, behaviour and knowledge for your future career: 

Skills: 

• Scenario-based BSL for healthcare (introductions, basic questions, reassurance, directions)
• Working with interpreters
• Adapting communication for clinical settings.

Knowledge: 

• Deaf awareness in healthcare
• Common barriers Deaf patients face
• Basics of reasonable adjustments and accessibility in clinical practice.

Behaviours: 

• More inclusive, person‑centred communication with Deaf patients
• Proactive consideration of accessibility
• Respectful, confident engagement in diverse clinical interactions.

No prior experience is needed – just a willingness to try something new and a device with a working camera and microphone. You will need to keep your camera on throughout the session, as you will be learning through watching and practising visual and facial gestures.