The London Deaf Migrants Project

A cross-disciplinary event exploring the experiences of deaf migrants in the UK.

The London Deaf Migrants project explored the current experiences of deaf migrants living in London, with the intention that gathering such evidence would lead to informed proposals for future work and identify areas that require further research. 

Through a two-day conference, the project encouraged collaboration and discussion between UCL and external partners (the Deaf Education Department at CityLit and DeafPlus, a charity in London). Ten deaf migrants were among those who were invited to explore their experiences, barriers and wants or needs. A deaf clinical psychologist was on hand for anyone who wished to have further support on the day. The second day included a presentation from deaf PhD researcher from Finland who shared examples how deaf migrants in Finland are guided to learn Finnish and Finnish Sign Language but are supported throughout. The Mobile Deaf project shared a presentation on their ethnographic study. Attendees were migrants from several countries and guests, the Greater London Authority, and the World Federation of the Deaf Disasters Committee. 

The project team have since been invited by DeafPlus and the Greater London Authority to be part of future planning of service development and to influence the support experienced by future deaf migrants. This collaboration would encourage the voices of deaf migrants to be heard. The Deaf Migrants team and the Greater London Authority are now developing a strategic plan towards creating tangible actions to impact the lives of deaf migrants in London. DeafPlus are undergoing a restructure and new strategic plan and have engaged with the Deaf Migrant team twice since, so that their service-uses are instrumental in the new direction of the organisation. CityLit were able to refer to this project positively in their most recent Ofsted Inspection and will use this in developing training opportunities for this population, such as Level 3 British Sign Language learning.