About British deaf association
The British Deaf Association (BDA) is a UK-based membership organisation and registered charity that is led by Deaf people, for Deaf people. The BDA has been at the forefront of promoting equality, access and freedom of choice for the Deaf community in the UK since its inception in 1890.
The BDA's mission is to empower Deaf people to achieve their full potential by providing them with access to information, services and opportunities that are tailored to their needs. The organisation works tirelessly to promote British Sign Language (BSL) as a recognised language in its own right, and campaigns for greater recognition of the rights of Deaf people across all areas of society.
One of the key ways in which the BDA achieves its goals is through its membership programme. Members have access to a range of benefits including discounts on products and services, free legal advice, networking opportunities with other members and much more. Membership fees also help support the work that the BDA does on behalf of all members of the Deaf community.
The BDA also provides a range of services designed specifically for Deaf people. These include advocacy services, employment support programmes, training courses on topics such as communication skills and interpreting services. The organisation also runs regular events such as conferences and workshops aimed at raising awareness about issues affecting the Deaf community.
In addition to these core activities, the BDA plays an important role in influencing policy at both national and local levels. The organisation works closely with government departments such as Health & Social Care and Education & Skills to ensure that policies are developed with input from members of the Deaf community.
One area where this influence has been particularly effective is in relation to education provision for deaf children. Thanks largely to lobbying efforts by organisations like the BDA over many years; there has been significant progress made towards ensuring that deaf children receive appropriate support throughout their education journey.
Another area where progress has been made is in relation to access to healthcare services. The BDA has been instrumental in campaigning for greater access to sign language interpreters in hospitals and GP surgeries, as well as for the provision of information about health issues in BSL.
Overall, the British Deaf Association is a vital organisation that plays a crucial role in promoting equality, access and freedom of choice for Deaf people across the UK. Its work is essential if we are to build a society that truly values diversity and inclusivity.
bda.org.uk
