Heywood teen launches petition for basic sign language to be taught in school
Date published: 03 February 2019
Jade and Christian Kilduff
A petition for basic sign language to be compulsory has been launched by a Heywood teenager.
College student Jade Kilduff, 17, has begun teaching little brother, Christian, three, who has cerebral palsy, how to communicate using Makaton, a form of communication based on British Sign Language (BSL).
Makaton signs are based on the gestures used in BSL, but it is used in conjunction with speech and in English grammatical word order.
Over 100,000 children and adults use Makaton symbols and signs, either as their main method of communication, or as a way to support speech.
Under the moniker ‘Sign Along With Us’, Jade and Christian have started sharing online videos of their signing so that others can learn how to communicate with those who have learning or communication difficulties.
Jade hopes that sign language will be taught in all schools to eliminate isolation of those who may find it otherwise difficult to communicate, and be offered on the curriculum as a GCSE.
To sign the petition, visit:
Do you have a story for us?
Let us know by emailing news@rochdaleonline.co.uk
All contact will be treated in confidence.
Most Viewed News Stories
- 1Rochdale drug dealer jailed for 7 years despite attempting to flee
- 2First-ever Workers’ Party councillors elected to Rochdale Borough Council; Labour retains overall...
- 3Trio jailed for 20 years after shotgun fired at Rochdale house in broad daylight
- 4Ocean Colour Scene to play Rochdale Feel Good Festival
- 5First full Stalking Protection Order against a child in UK secured for family in Heywood
To contact the Rochdale Online news desk, email news@rochdaleonline.co.uk or visit our news submission page.
To get the latest news on your desktop or mobile, follow Rochdale Online on Twitter and Facebook.