“Music and the Deaf” Charity Event Hosted by Bolton Community College

Bolton community college recently hosted an event by the charity “Music and the Deaf” to promote deaf awareness.

Presented its founder, Paul Whittaker, the event gave students and people interested in deafness and sign language the opportunity to listen to music from the perspective of a profoundly deaf person. The event encouraged students to take part in the interactive event at the same time as learning more about deafness from the view of a deaf person. At the event, Paul talked about his life as a deaf person, the hurdles he has had to overcome and how he has achieved his successes.

Successful Occasion

Joanne Kay, Sign Language and Deaf Studies Co-ordinator and organiser of the event, said she was extremely pleased with the success of the occasion. She said: “The Sign Language Department at the college has developed dramatically over the past few years and this event is just the latest of events and promotions to raise deaf awareness. The evening gave students the chance to see an interpreter at work and experience first hand the challenges deafness regularly presents.”

Music and the Deaf was set up “to help deaf people of all ages and degrees of hearing loss to access music and the performing arts through workshops, schools projects and signed theatrical performances throughout the UK.”

With his charity, Paul has worked with the likes of Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh. He has also successfully translated popular musicals like Cats and Les Miserable for the deaf community.

As well as raising awareness about deafness, the event was held to celebrate the College’s new Deaf Study courses launched this summer. Courses in “Deaf Awareness”, Deaf Culture and The Community and Communication Tactics will be the first of their kind in the area.

Paul Keely