Foys Solicitors Attend British Sign Language Night

Representatives from Foys Solicitors recently attended a British Sign Language (BSL) Night hosted by The Carr Fenton Foundation in partnership with the Doncaster Junior Lawyers Division (DJLD), reinforcing the firm’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote accessibility, inclusion and greater understanding within the local community.

Dispute Resolution Executive Liam Bawden and Partner Clare Morgan attended the event, joining legal professionals and members of the local community for an interactive evening designed to introduce participants to British Sign Language whilst highlighting the communication barriers experienced by many Deaf people every day.

The two-hour session was delivered by Hannah Anderson, Deaf Education & Inclusion Officer at The Carr Fenton Foundation. Hannah’s engaging and enthusiastic approach ensured the evening was both educational and enjoyable, with attendees learning a range of summer-themed signs, including vocabulary relating to the beach, swimming, snorkelling and other seasonal activities.

However, the evening offered far more than an introduction to British Sign Language.

Throughout the session, Hannah explained the importance of facial expressions in BSL, demonstrating that communication relies on far more than simply learning individual signs.

Expression, body language and visual cues all play a vital role in conveying meaning, providing attendees with a greater appreciation of the richness and complexity of British Sign Language.

One activity in particular left a lasting impression on those attending. Participants were challenged to communicate using only hand gestures and facial expressions, without speaking or using any words. The exercise was designed to replicate, in a small way, the experience of a Deaf person navigating a predominantly hearing world.

For many in the room, what initially seemed like a light-hearted exercise quickly became a powerful reminder of the communication barriers that Deaf people can face every day. Simple conversations became surprisingly difficult, with frustration setting in after only a few minutes.

Reflecting on the evening, Liam Bawden said:

“The activity really brought home just how inaccessible the world can still be for Deaf people. We only experienced those communication barriers for a short period of time, yet it was incredibly frustrating. It made me think about the challenges that many non-hearing people face every single day when navigating a world that isn’t always designed with accessibility in mind.”

He continued:

“Hannah delivered the session brilliantly. She made learning British Sign Language fun, engaging and interactive, whilst also encouraging us to think more deeply about the importance of inclusive communication. As legal professionals, communication is at the heart of everything we do, so evenings like this are invaluable in helping us better understand how we can make our services, and our wider community, more accessible.”

The BSL Night forms part of an ongoing partnership between The Carr Fenton Foundation and the Doncaster Junior Lawyers Division, bringing legal professionals together to develop a greater understanding of Deaf culture and the importance of inclusive communication. Through initiatives such as these, the partnership continues to raise awareness of British Sign Language and encourage more people to consider how small changes can make a meaningful difference.

Foys Solicitors was delighted to support the event and would like to thank Hannah Anderson, The Carr Fenton Foundation and the Doncaster Junior Lawyers Division for delivering another inspiring and thought-provoking evening.

As a firm, Foys Solicitors recognises that accessibility extends beyond physical access to buildings or services. Effective communication is fundamental to ensuring everyone can access the advice, support and representation they need, and opportunities such as BSL Night provide an important reminder that creating a more inclusive society begins with understanding the experiences of others.