Sign language boards for city's playgrounds

Children in Leeds are being encouraged to learn sign language, with educational boards being put up in playgrounds across the city.

The boards showing the British Sign Language (BSL) alphabet and a selection of words have been placed in 10 play areas with the aim of helping youngsters communicate.

The Leeds Deaf Children's Society, which successfully applied for a grant to fund the boards, said it would help those unable to hear feel "less isolated" among their peers.

Bryony Hughes, from the society, said: "We needed to use the money to improve the communication skills of local deaf children and we thought putting the signs in parks was a way we could reach as many families as possible."

Ms Hughes explained: "Our son is profoundly deaf and wears cochlear implants.

"When he's not wearing them, we sign with him and it's important he has an additional way of communicating with us, and also with other deaf people."

The sign language boards have been installed in children's play areas at Pudsey Park, Horsforth Hall Park and Bramley Park, as well as in Yeadon Tarnfield Park and Stanningley Park.

They have also been placed in Springhead Park in Rothwell, Heritage Village, Blands Avenue in Allerton Bywater, Cross Flatts Park and East End Park.

Leeds councillors Helen Hayden and Mohammed Rafique said: "The new signs are a great improvement to the playgrounds, encouraging interaction between all children, deaf and hearing.

"Learning basic BSL is useful to any person, and we're hoping this will reach many local families and help them learn a new language."

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