Often these lecturers use BSL (British Sign Language) or SSE (Sign Supported English – a system of signs that follows spoken English patterns word-for-word) to engage with their audience. This enables them to build rapport in a way that BSL-interpreted gallery tours do not, for any or all of the following reasons:
- exposure to other deaf and hard-of-hearing people
- an increased awareness of the range of communication/linguistic needs of deaf people
- an ability to adapt his/her communication/linguistic method to suit the audience
- an intrinsic understanding of deaf culture and identity
First Steps
Art galleries wishing to work with deaf art lecturers and audiences are advised to begin by attending one of Tate Modern’s free BSL talks, which take place on the first Friday of the month, and have a voice-over available for mainstream audiences.
Alternatively, if a deaf art lecturer initiates contact, invite him/her to organise a short private tour voluntarily so s/he can be observed in action. If the idea appeals, then these steps are necessary:
- Get Deaf Awareness Training. This training should be updated each year if there are plans to programme deaf-led tours regularly.
- Get advice from a deaf arts consultant like Deafworks on marketing and publicity. A good deaf-friendly strategy needs to be in place before the event can be arranged.
The consultant can then work with the gallery in selecting someone with the appropriate background to lead the event.
For this to work, it is important to take into account the type of audience the gallery attracts as well as the measures that may need to be taken in order to make 'reasonable adjustments' in line with the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).
Already Made Contact?
Assuming that the deaf art lecturer has already been drafted in, it is good practice for the gallery to establish regular contact with him by email and/or SMS (short messaging service) so to prepare thoroughly for the tour.
- Every lecturer appreciates background material to help with research and planning and deaf art lecturers are no exception. Offer to post or email a copy of the exhibition catalogue.
- Ask the lecturer if a SLI is needed. Some may have a list of preferred SLIs to hand, but if none is forthcoming, book one via the National Registers of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and DeafBlind People . For reasons of professionalism, check that the SLI is a Member of the Register of Sign Language Interpreters, and remember that the gallery, not the lecturer, has a legal obligation to pay his/her fee.
- SLIs are unfortunately in short supply, so allow six weeks’ notice for booking.
- Where required, give the lecturer the SLI’s contact details for advance briefing, and check if s/he wants to arrange a run–through with the SLI 30 minutes beforehand as well.
- Make yourself available for questions at this time, and allow the lecturer to decide the best viewing positions.
- Other considerations such as room size, audience numbers, lighting etc can also be discussed with the lecturer beforehand so that suggestions can be made and appropriate props booked if necessary.
- Some deaf audiences require written handouts in addition to the tour. It is worth asking if the lecturer can adapt his/her notes for photocopying and making large print copies available as an alternative.
Deaf art lecturers can read Countdown to Deaf-Led Gallery Tours, or try the guide to working with deaf gallery audiences.
