'My neighbours learned to sign for my deaf child'

Tilly's daughter Ada was able to take part in Halloween thanks to her neighbours' efforts

When Tilly took her deaf daughter Ada trick-or-treating, she felt excited that her child could be included in the festivities for the first time, as her neighbours had learned British Sign Language (BSL).

On their street in Malvern, neighbours learned phrases and displayed BSL-friendly household stickers in their windows.

The street had learned BSL as part of Cadbury and the National Deaf Children's Society's sign with fingers campaign.

Tilly said it was "lovely to be part of it and see the joy it's bringing".

However, she added it made her a "little bit sad that we've had to wait this long for it to be accessible for deaf children and adults".

Not only did the campaign make Halloween more inclusive for six-year-old Ada, Tilly said it also brought the neighbourhood closer.

"She has to bend and change for a society that isn't set up for her whereas now we're seeing society shift to meet her needs," Tilly said.

"I'm always slightly on edge because I don't know how she's going to be received when we knock on doors.

"If people make that bit of effort and put those stickers on their windows, we know that we can knock on those doors and someone will be on the other side who can sign."

Neighbours Jennifer Oakley and William Stavert praised the campaign

Neighbour Jennifer Oakley said it was important everyone on the street felt included.

She said: "I think it's a really great idea. Everybody in the world should be included, whether they're using British Sign Language, English or whatever other language they speak. It's good to include anybody."

William Stavert, who is also deaf and uses BSL, said he remembered a time when the language was rarely used.

"When I was very young sign language wasn't even allowed," he said. "You had to try a learn to lip read and when I was six there was very limited sign language available.

"There was about 50 words in the vocabulary back then and at that time with deaf education in the 60s to the 70s, there was definitely a language deprivation.

"I think it's really important now that deaf children have got sign language and can access the world around them for their development and wellbeing."