DEX Research and Youth led Projects

1. Best Value Review 2001- 2004

Groundbreaking Deaf-Led Research

At DEX, we carried out the UK’s first deaf-led audit of deaf education — and even took it to Scandinavia! Our work was recognised internationally and praised by world experts Boyle, Breul and Dahler-Larsen. We published our findings in the Deaf Toolkit: Best Value Review of Deaf Children in Education from Users’ Perspective (2004).

With support from the Audit Commission, Local Government Association and IDeA, we created seven standards to define what good deaf education should look like. These are based on UK and international research and our own lived experiences:

• Access to bilingual Sign Language and English support

• A strong deaf peer group and access to deaf culture

• Equal education to hearing peers, with access to hearing students and staff

• Support to build a positive deaf identity

• Inclusion in leisure, cultural and recreational activities

• Protection of rights and freedom from discrimination

• A long-term, sustainable bilingual service for all deaf children

Our findings matched what the government said in “Removing Barriers to Achievement” (2004) — that all children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) should:

• Get support early, before they fall behind

• Feel included and valued in school

But we also discovered many schools and services weren’t evaluating themselves properly. The Department for Education even encouraged them to “look critically” at what they were doing — but many didn’t.

We believe it’s time for that to change.

DEX also pushed for fast-track training to help teachers and support staff gain sign bilingual and Deaf cultural skills — just like the government’s own Advanced Skills Teacher plan. That way, deaf children could thrive emotionally, socially, and academically.

Incredibly, today deaf children still need a medical diagnosis (an EHCP) just to learn BSL in many schools. No one else needs one to learn French or Spanish. That’s not fair — and we’re working to change it.

2. Feasibility Study with deaf young people and parents of deaf children 2004 – 2005

What Deaf Young People and Parents Told Us

As part of our “Handing on Our Experience” research, we asked deaf young people and parents what support they really need. Here’s what they shared — and how DEX is responding.

What Deaf Young People Want:

To Be Involved

• To have a voice and take part in decisions

• Equal access to clear information and services

• The right staff and support to help us get involved

Support and Advocacy

• To learn about Deaf culture and identity

• More deaf-friendly activities that support wellbeing (like sport, social skills, and fun!)

• Advocates who understand our needs

• Better services for deaf young people

We now run services based on these findings — designed by and for deaf young people.

What Parents Want:

To Be Included

• A real say in decisions and support for parenting

• Honest, clear information from the start

Support from DEX

• Help when their child is first diagnosed deaf

• Training for professionals to improve attitudes and services

• Higher standards in support for deaf children

We’re proud to be making these changes happen — together with deaf young people and their families.

3. British Sign Language Endangerment study, 2014

Is BSL an Endangered Language?

From our earlier research, we noticed something worrying: only about 10% of deaf children (with any level of hearing loss) are learning British Sign Language (BSL). That’s not just our view – national surveys from the Consortium for Research into Deaf Education (2012–2019) show the same.

We wanted to dig deeper and find out if BSL could be considered endangered – and how to protect it. Using a global model for spoken languages (Fishman’s Graded Scale), we found BSL fits the description of a “severely endangered language”. One major reason is that 95% of deaf children have hearing parents, so BSL isn’t naturally passed down at home like spoken languages are.

Why This Matters

Languages need to be used by younger generations to stay alive. But deaf children often have to “qualify” to learn BSL – based on how deaf they are. That’s not just unfair, it’s a breach of our human and language rights.

We believe BSL shouldn’t only exist for interpreter use – it’s a real, living language that deaf people should grow up using naturally, just like any other language.

What DEX Is Doing About It

We looked at how other languages (like Welsh and Catalan) were saved and revived. Our research, shared at international conferences and supported by language experts like Colin Baker and Meirion Prys-Jones, recommends:

• A BSL Board with real power and expert members, like the Welsh Language model

• Legal rights to BSL, to make up for the fact that it can’t always be passed on naturally

• Clear support and training for parents of deaf children

• A shift from treating each deaf child individually to a community approach, where BSL rights are protected by law

This work was shared in our published paper:
📘 “Towards Language Planning for Sign Languages” (Jill Jones for DEX, 2016)
[📥 Download it here]

We also campaigned hard for the BSL Act to include these ideas by forming the BSL Act Working Group. But there’s still a lot of work to do. Many people still don’t know why language planning for BSL is so important. We’re here to change that.

Let’s make sure BSL stays alive – not just for now, but for every generation of deaf people to come.

4. Literature Reviews

As part of our research we have undertaken reviews of other research. We have also looked at specific areas, such as our collation of research on hard of hearing children.

5. Foundation for Endangered Languages Conference. November 2022

Here’s a warm, friendly, and simplified version of your text, written from a young person’s perspective and perfect for your website. It keeps all the key facts and insights:

DEX Goes Global: Sharing Our Work in the USA

In November 2022, Deaf EXperience (DEX) was invited to speak at the Foundation for Endangered Languages Conference at the University of Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. The theme was all about how communities can take charge of protecting their languages – something we care deeply about.

We presented our research, “Deaf community ownership of endangered sign language revitalisation”, which builds on our earlier work (published in 2016). In that work, we found that British Sign Language (BSL) is severely endangered – mostly because so few deaf children are being taught to sign. If this continues, it could seriously affect the future of the deaf community and BSL itself.

Why It Matters

Our research looks at the journey DEX has been on since 2014, when we were asked by the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Deafness to help lead the development of a BSL Bill. We worked with other deaf organisations to push for a law that would protect BSL, not just recognise it.

While the BSL Act became law in 2022 – which was a huge win – it doesn’t yet include any legal protection to stop BSL from disappearing. That’s a big gap we’re still working to fix.

What We Learned

At the conference, we explored how other endangered spoken language communities are fighting to save their languages – like Welsh or Catalan. Researchers and activists at the event were really interested in the similarities between spoken and signed language struggles.

The message was clear: we need to work together and take action now to protect BSL and secure the wellbeing and rights of future generations of deaf children.

BSL is our language, our identity, and our culture. We’re proud to lead the way in making sure it has a strong future.

6. Centre for Endangered Languages, Cultures and Ecosystems Presentation. November 2022

DEX Presents at University of Leeds Language Event

On 9 November, Deaf EXperience (DEX) was invited to speak at a special event hosted by the Centre for Endangered Languages, Cultures and Ecosystems (CELCE) at the University of Leeds. Experts from the University of Cambridge and international linguists working in the field of language endangerment also took part.

We shared highlights from our 2016 research, where we found signs of language shift in BSL – meaning fewer people are learning and using British Sign Language over time. We also talked about our latest research, which we had just presented at the University of Albuquerque in the USA, all about how the deaf community can lead efforts to protect and revitalise BSL.

Our talk was really well received, and we’re excited to keep the conversation going with more updates soon!

BSL is more than a language — it’s our culture and community. We’re proud to share our work and push for real change.

Projects

DEX at the Museum: Sharing Deaf Stories in BSL

We’ve been working closely with Leeds City Museum to make their exhibits more deaf-friendly and accessible. As part of this exciting partnership, our Deaf Youth Club Committee (DDYCC) got involved in producing BSL video stories about museum objects — now on display for everyone to enjoy!

We also helped the museum staff learn more about deaf awareness and how to include Deaf young people in their events and planning. It’s been amazing to see our ideas come to life and know we’re helping museums be more inclusive for the Deaf community.

This is just the start — we’re proud to be leading the way in making culture and history more accessible through BSL!

DEX and TransPennine/Northern Rail: Making Travel Easier for Deaf People

We’ve been working with TransPennine and Northern Rail to help make train travel better and more accessible for Deaf passengers. Together, we’re sharing ideas and giving advice on how to improve services, so Deaf people can feel confident and comfortable when using the trains.

This partnership means Deaf young people’s voices are heard, and it helps the rail companies understand what really matters—like clear communication and better access to information in BSL.

We’re excited to keep working together to break down barriers and make travel easier and more welcoming for everyone in the Deaf community!

Urban Crime Safety Project – Keeping Deaf Young People Safe

The Urban Crime Safety Project is all about helping Deaf young people stay safe and feel confident in their communities. We work closely with partners like the police, Sign Health, and local Deaf youth clubs to deliver workshops, activities, and events that raise awareness about crime, safety, and how to get help.

Through fun and interactive sessions—like quizzes, escape rooms, and discussions—we’ve helped build stronger connections between Deaf young people and those who keep us safe. The project also gives us a chance to learn important life skills and speak up about issues that affect us.

By working together with police services and Deaf organisations, we’re making our communities safer and more supportive for everyone.

Streetwise Defence Training – Building Confidence and Safety Skills

We’re proud to work closely with Streetwise Defence Training to create a bespoke, Deaf-friendly training package that’s fully accessible. Deaf young people are actively involved in developing the sessions, helping shape the content so it truly meets our needs.

These hands-on training sessions teach safety, awareness, and staying calm in difficult situations. It’s about more than just physical skills—it’s about building confidence, empowerment, and a stronger sense of community.

Together with Streetwise, we’re making sure Deaf young people have the tools and support to stay safe and feel confident every day.

Together, we’re helping Deaf young people stand tall, stay safe, and support each other.

If you would like information on our research and campaigns please contact us.