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Heritage Interpreters
Working with you to make your historical locations, events and tours accessible for the Deaf community.
Why Our Services Matter to You
Deaf people face three types of challenges when they go to a venue, whether it’s a restaurant, a shop or a museum: accessing information through the appropriate mediums, navigating within the venue and communicating with the staff.
What Is BSL?
British Sign Language (BSL) is a language used by more than 150,000 deaf people in the UK and is the first preferred language of the Deaf community. It is a language in its own right with its own vocabulary and grammar, expressed through movement of the hands, body, face and head. Every English word does not have a corresponding sign in BSL so the interpreting process involves expressing the same meaning but using different vocabulary and grammar. BSL, like two-thirds of the world’s languages has no written form but it is just as valuable as any spoken or written language.
Why Is BSL Important?
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Any form of disability can lead to social exclusion and isolation, and deafness certainly has the potential to cause this problem. As a society, we have a responsibility to address this and encouraging the widespread use of an effective means of communication is one method that can be employed.
What Is Deaf Culture?
Deaf culture is at the heart of Deaf communities everywhere in the world. Each Deaf community is a cultural group which shares a sign language and a common heritage. Members of Deaf communities all around the world therefore identify themselves as members of a cultural and linguistic group.
What Is Deaf Access?
Deaf Access helps deaf and hard of hearing people to improve and maintain their independence by providing information, support and services, as well as by promoting public awareness and understanding.
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How can we help you to help the Deaf community?
Our Services
Interpreting. Marketing. Deaf Access & Awareness.
Deaf Awareness Courses
We offer in-house training for front-of-house staff at your organization. They will learn about the communication needs of their Deaf visitors, and given tips for effective communication and basic Sign Language.
Our course is fun and interactive making it a good team-building exercise.
Want to learn more about our services? Please contact our team
About Us
Access to history is our passion
At Heritage Interpreters we have over 15 years' experience interpreting tours and events for the deaf community at some of UK's most visited tourist attractions including the Historic Royal Palaces, Blenheim Palace, Hever Castle and the National Trust Stowe Gardens.
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Our love of history combined with our desire for the Deaf to access this information drives us at Heritage Interpreters to work along with organisations to make this happen.
Meet The Team
Demelza Northover
BSL Guide/Access Consultant
Over 15 years experience working as part of a translation team and producing media content in BSL
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Over 15 years experience working as a BSL tour guide, interpreting events and performances.
Laurence Pass
BSL Guide/
Fully Qualified BSL Interpreter
18 years' experience being a BSL guide for historical locations and events.
John Wilson
Deaf Guide/Consultant
Museum guide, Lecturer,
Historian in BSL and
Consultant in Deaf access to the arts.
