Heywood teen launches petition for basic sign language to be taught in school

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).

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/125766/heywood-teenager-and-little-brother-begin-online-sign-language-channel

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:

• petition.parliament.uk/petitions/239893