Deaf Umbrella

14/10/2026

When communication becomes easier, people can use their energy for their work, ideas and professional relationships, rather than constantly filling in missing information.

13/10/2026

In Deaf culture, it is acceptable to touch another person to get attention, to greet, say goodbye, and express emotion. ⁠
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✨Top Tip:⁠
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To gain a deaf person's attention, two or three firm but not heavy taps on the arm or shoulder should be enough and acceptable. Do not touch elsewhere on the body to get attention, e.g. head, face, stomach, etc.⁠
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Want to know more about the socially acceptable behaviours in the Deaf community? ⁠ Click this link:
https://www.deafumbrella.com/post/deaf-culture-etiquette-social-behaviours

12/10/2026

Can you be good at BSL but still struggle with the professional side of supporting Deaf people?

An anonymous article on The Limping Chicken shared experiences where Deaf people had been excluded from conversations, even with an interpreter or communication professional present.

It got us thinking about something we see in our own work at Deaf Umbrella: Learning BSL and understanding how to work professionally with Deaf people are two different areas of development.

Things like knowing your boundaries, handling awkward situations, respecting Deaf people's independence and understanding your place in conversations aren't always straightforward.

This article explores these training gaps and why ongoing professional development matters:

Many CSWs and interpreters aren’t doing a bad job — they were simply never taught how to navigate the real-world challenges that come with working in Deaf spaces. This blog explores the hidden training gaps and how we can start fixing them.

12/10/2026

SAVE THIS if you regularly organise meetings.

Before your next one, ask yourself:
✔ Have I shared the agenda?
✔ Does everyone have the information they need?
✔ Have I considered communication support?
✔ Will everyone have an equal opportunity to contribute?

Want the full checklist? Download it here now:

Download our free Inclusive Meeting Checklist and discover practical tips to make meetings more accessible for Deaf colleagues and improve communication.

10/10/2026

💚 World Mental Health Day: Deaf awareness matters for mental health too.

Did you know that research has found higher rates of mental health difficulties among Deaf BSL users?

A UK government report published in 2025 highlights research showing that around 40% of Deaf BSL users experience mental health issues, compared with 25% of the general population.

But why does accessibility matter for mental health?

Imagine regularly being left out of conversations, struggling to access healthcare, or having to explain your communication needs again and again.

Over time, these barriers can contribute to frustration, isolation, anxiety and stress.

And many of them are avoidable.

💚 Make information accessible.
💚 Provide qualified BSL interpreters when needed.
💚 Use captions and visual information.
💚 Make workplaces, classrooms and services Deaf aware.
💚 Ask people what communication support works best for them.

Being Deaf doesn't automatically mean having poor mental health. But everyone deserves equal access to the support, information and opportunities that protect their wellbeing.

Deaf Awareness Training is one practical way organisations can help remove these barriers.

Find out more: [email protected]

08/10/2026

Maybe everything is working well... But there’s another question worth asking:
How do you know?

Does the Deaf employee have full access to informal conversations?
Do colleagues know how to work appropriately with a BSL interpreter?
Are captions used consistently rather than only when someone remembers?
Are videos accessible?
Does the employee receive information at the same time as everyone else?
Do new members of staff know how they prefer to communicate?

And perhaps most importantly:
Has anyone actually asked the Deaf employee what is working well and what could be better?

Make sure your team has the knowledge to communicate confidently and appropriately, rather than leaving one Deaf person to explain what they need repeatedly
We’ve created a practical resource to help managers start that conversation:
How to Get Feedback from a Deaf Employee
And if the conversation highlights areas where the wider team needs more knowledge, Deaf Umbrella can provide practical Deaf Awareness Training for your organisation.

👉 Let us know if you want the guide or enquire about training.

08/10/2026

Looking for something to do this Friday in London? 👀

Shoreditch Town Hall is celebrating 160 years with 16 Acts, a one-night-only mix of cabaret, drag, music, dance, comedy and more.

The event will also include live captioning by Nicola Dutton.
If that sounds like your kind of night, you can find the full line-up, ticket details and accessibility information here: https://deafumbrella.com/so/8eQ4LzZGu?languageTag=en&cid=a1a9fe4f-e919-4a4c-a126-a31b1d640033

07/10/2026

You don't need to know everything about Deaf awareness to be a great employer.

The best managers we've worked with all have one thing in common: They ask questions.
✔️ "How do you prefer to communicate?"
✔️ "What would make meetings easier?"
✔️ "Is there anything we can put in place before you start?"

You don't need all the answers on day one. You just need to be willing to listen and make adjustments.

Small changes often make the biggest difference.

06/10/2026

Imagine hiring the perfect candidate.⁠
They arrive on their first day.⁠
Their laptop is ready 🙌⁠
Their desk is ready 🙌⁠
Their induction pack is ready 🙌⁠
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But nobody has thought about COMMUNICATION SUPPORT 🤦🏻‍♀️⁠
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No interpreter, captions, or communication plan.⁠
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Suddenly, your new employee can't fully access meetings, training, or introductions, because access wasn't planned.⁠
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Did you know that support can often be funded through Access to Work?⁠
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✅ BSL interpreters⁠
✅ Communication Support Workers⁠
✅ Notetakers⁠
✅ Specialist equipment⁠
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The best time to arrange support is before day one, not after the problems start.⁠
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Need help supporting a Deaf employee? Contact us: www.deafumbrella.com
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