In 2003 the Sign Me In! Document was published, following a joint initiative between CDL UK, Signs of God, and Hands Together. This document contains guidelines for churches and Christian organisations on how to improve access and enable Deaf people to be more effectively included in the life of the Church.

Copies of this policy document are available from the Christian Deaf Link UK office.

The Sign Me In Development Project built on the success of this policy.  It was initially a twelve-month initiative and will produce an Internet site and DVD of Christian BSL resources – the first of its kind - and the development of training material for churches.

The project was co-ordinated by Sarah Haynes, from Bristol.

This Internet site is the result! It contains Christian BSL signs and sign phrases and testimony stories by Deaf BSL users. This is a unique web-based collection of BSL video relating to Christian settings.

The training materials for churches take the form of 12 training modules covering a variety of topics with the aim of promoting access to churches for Deaf BSL users. The modules include those for people who know no sign language and have had little contact with Deaf people; those with intermediate skills and some experience who may be working alongside Deaf people in churches and those with advanced sign language skills, including Deaf people themselves.

The modules include BSL skills, BSL awareness, worship and liturgy, presentation and ‘interpreting’ skills, pastoral care and Deaf people in the church, strategic planning for leaders, mission and outreach and working with deaf children.
The modules are taught by teams of regionally based Deaf and hearing volunteers, as part of training day events. Each participant is able to tailor parts of the day to their needs by choosing modules that relate to their situation.  The project is now complete, but training days using the Christian Signs training materials are still available on request.  Contact us for more information.