Deaf Advice Hub

As part of Deaf Awareness Week 2024, we have created a Deaf Advice Hub with signposting to BSL training, charitable organisations, in College support and more. 

Something missing? Let us know! 

If you know of a great resource that you want to share with other students, then please get in touch – we would love to hear from you.

What if I'm in an emergency? 

999BSL is an app where you can directly call 999 and communicate with something using sign language. This app is a designated emergency relay service.

Did you know you can text 999? This service allows Deaf or hard of hearing users to text emergency services. You can find more information here.

Where to learn BSL?

Several options are available for learning British Sign Language (BSL) online.

• British Sign offers courses for £3 that can help you converse. You can find these courses here.

• Did you know the college offers BSL as a course?

• Sense offers a Sign School for £10 that you can access here.

• Deaf Action also offers BSL courses, which you can check out here.

• The National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) has videos that teach BSL. You can check them out on YouTube. However, keep in mind that regional dialects exist in BSL.

• The Students' Association also has BSL fingerspelling cards, which you can pick up from the office.

Charitable Organisations

Here's a list of organisations supporting the Deaf community in Scotland.

• Deaf Action: A deaf-led charity established in 1835, working with Deaf individuals throughout Scotland. Their mission is to empower Deaf people and ensure equal rights, access, and opportunities.

• WSDCS – West of Scotland Deaf Children Society : Provides support to families with Deaf children in the West of Scotland. They also offer kids clubs and youth clubs.

• NDCS – National Deaf Children Society (Scotland) : Dedicated to breaking barriers for Deaf children and families in Scotland and supports local Deaf societies. Find your local charity here.

• Scottish Ethnic Minority Deaf Charity (SEMDC) : Founded in 1998 to support Deaf people from South Asian backgrounds. Offers various services, including a bi-weekly Saturday support group and tailored advocacy.

• British Deaf Association (BDA) - Scotland : A national Deaf-led organisation working for equal rights and access for Deaf BSL users in Scotland. They campaign on a national level and empower Deaf people locally.

• RNID - Scotland : Supports everyone in Scotland who is Deaf, has hearing loss, or tinnitus. Provides information, support, and campaigns for equal access.

• Deafblind Scotland: The national charity for people with deafblindness. Provides support networks, influences policy, and raises awareness of deafblindness.

Finding Support

• Learning Support: The Learning Support team at City can assist you during your studies. The Learning Support team has dedicated Learning Support and Development Advisors who have personal experience with Deafness and are available to support you. You can find more information about their services on the City of Glasgow College Learning Support website.

• Difficulty Using Phone: If you struggle to use the phone, you can download an app called RelayUK. You can find information about how it works here.

• BSL Users: If you're a BSL user, you can utilise a service called SignLive, which connects you with an interpreter who calls on your behalf.