Deaf children given DVD safety lesson

From: This is Bradford - Keighley,England,UK - Jun 19, 2006

By Mark Casci

A DVD warning deaf youngsters about stranger danger in sign language was being launched today.

Who is a Stranger? is the first DVD of its kind in the UK, and is a partnership between Bradford Deaf Club, based in Manningham and Bradford Council's youth service.

Members of the youth club star in the film, acting out a series of mini-dramas to teach young people about how to be safe, what to do if they get lost and how to avoid abduction.

The stories are specifically aimed at different age groups, ranging from four to 16-years-old.

Filmed entirely in sign language with subtitles in English, the movie was made by Bradford-based company Visual Motions, the only deaf-run film production company in the north of England.

The cash for the project was provided by the Children in Need charity.

Youth worker Veronica Harewood was among those behind the production of the DVD.

She said: "This is a fantastic learning tool for young deaf people and it was a great opportunity for members of the youth club to have a go at acting and to see how DVDs are made.

"It is a problem in Bradford and all over the country.

"We quickly realised that deaf people were very much being left out of the usual educational warnings given to youngsters on danger as they could not understand the television adverts etc used with other children.

"The whole DVD is in sign language to try and redress the balance.

"To deaf people, English is a second language and people that are able to sign are instantly felt by a deaf person to be part of their community.

"The youth centre put in their application for funding and Children in Need were able to help out."

Ranjit Singh, assistant producer at Visual Motions, said the movie was providing a vital safety lesson to deaf youngsters in the area.

"Many deaf children miss out on general safety information because they do not overhear discussions by others.

"The DVD will help address this and as well as helping youngsters it is also a valuable DVD for hearing students."

The DVD can be obtained for free by calling Visual Motions on (01274) 678342.

e-mail: mark.casci@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

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