The MLDP core sign vocabulary is made up of 20 signs based on the hand shapes of British Sign Language. The signs were chosen by a group of people who use the service, staff from the MLDP supported accommodation service, and speech and language therapists.

All staff within the MLPD were initially trained in the productions of the signs through the use of a video, scripted and performed by members of the core sign group.

The aim of the core signs is to promote awareness and confidence in staff supporting people who use sign to communicate either to aid their expressive communication or their understanding.

People with learning disabilities have a right for their communication systems to be respected and used by people supporting them. The core sign vocabulary is a step towards this aim.

The following information is based on research on the implentation of the core signs, carried out by Darren Chadwick
of Manchester Metropolitan University.

The Core Signs

The MLDP has decided to introduce 20 core signs to be learnt by all their staff.
These signs are:
home/house, tablets/medicine, television, bed/tired/sleep, dinner/eat/meal, name, friend, toilet, car/drive, work/job, money, shopping, drink, stop, walk, sick/ill, time, what, who, where.

Why have we done this?

The aims of introducing the core signs are:

* to increase MLDP staff's knowledge abut signing
* to increase MLDP staff's knowledge about the importance of signing to many people with learning disabilities
* to teach all MLDP staff to both understand and use 20 core signs
* to underline the value of communication systems other than speech

Who decided on the core signs?

The core signs are based on British Sign Language Signs (BSL). The signs were selected by signing service users and their speech and language therapists. This core sign group has agreed the way the signs are done.

The introduction of the core signs has been approved by MLDP managemwent team
MLDP staff will be taught 'standard' signs using accurate BSL hand shapes.
Some service users may change the standard sign because of sensory and/or
physical disabilities. In most cases this doesn't affect the meaning at all and the underlying sign will still be recognisable ? this is like
speakers using different accents to say the same word.
Some signs have two or more meanings e.g. house & home. This is similar to the situation with some words e.g. bank ? riverbank, high street bank.

The meaning is usually clear from the context.

As with words some signs are used both as the name of an object and as an action e.g. drink ? a drink, to drink.
The core signs can be used in conjunction with everyday gestures e.g. 'go away', 'good', 'me' and 'you'.

The Potential Benefits of Signing

* You will be able to communicate with people who understand sign.
* You will be more able to understand people who sign.
* If you can understand people's communication better you will reduce the risk of the misunderstandings that can lead to challenging behaviour.
* Signing will help you understand the communication of people with speech impairment. People may stop speaking because they are repeatedly misunderstood.
* Signing will help you understand people with communication impairments.
* Signing can help you interact more with signers.
* Signers will be able to access more activities if you can understand their signs.
* People's language can be developed through the use of signing.
* Signing benefits people with hearing impairment as well as a learning disabilities ?
up to 40% of people with learning disabilities have a significant
hearing impairment.

So why don't staff sign?

* Some staff feel that they need formal training before signing. The MLDP cascade training on the core signs is designed to ease that concern & provide an introduction to signing alongside the core signs.
* Some staff are worried about signing - feelings range from feeling stupid at not knowing many signs to embarrassment at being looked at by non signers.
It is important to share these feelings but they should not stop you
from signing Remember just like anyone would appreciate you trying to use their language,
signers will approve of you trying to use theirs.
Non signers may well stare at signers but it is usually because the
general public generally perceives signing as very interesting and clever!
* Some people hold beliefs based on myths about signing not facts. For example:
Myth - Signing stops people speaking
Fact ? People who sign often try to talk and vocalise more ? success at communicating through sign encourages them.
Myth ? Signing is easier than speaking Fact ? Signing still requires people to develop language they just express it using
their hands and bodies rather than their mouth.
Whilst training can tackle these myths it is up to all of us to learn the
facts about signing.

Key Points to Remember

* Make sure the person is looking at you when you sign
* Always speak and sign.
* Sign key words.
* Sign when your hands are visible!
* Practice ? you will feel less self-conscious and more confident the more you sign.
* The more you sign the more confident other staff and service users will be with signing.
* Signing is important to people with learning disabilities, their carers and the MLDP.

And Finally

It's up to you! Many people who would benefit from using signing would sign if you did.
Enjoy it! - it is a good feeling to be able to communicate successfully with someone.