UK: Deaf History Scotland

Scottish Deaf Heritage – the unique heritage that belongs to and is shared by the Scottish Deaf Community whose members prefer to communicate in their language, namely British Sign Langugae (BSL) and have the common experiences of being Deaf, going to specialist schools for deaf children, going to “Deaf Clubs” for recreation and participate in “deaf sports”, working in similar trades like joinery, car mechanics, shoe repairing, construction, knitwear & other clothes manufacture, etc.

For many years there has been a British Deaf History Society, but this has not included Scotland. In April 2008, an open meeting was organised by Scottish Council on Deafness (SCoD) to discuss this very issue. Over 50 people crowded the Deaf Connections Theatre (in Glasgow) and following presentations, it was decided to establish a Scottish society, which was later named Deaf History Scotland.