Welcome to the amazing world of Amy and Zing! That is to say, welcome to the Deaf world, the world of Sign Language.
Whether you know nothing, a little, or quite a lot about Sign Language and the Deaf people who use it, there’s something here for you to learn, so that when you meet Deaf people, especially at work, you’ll be that bit better prepared.
Amy and Zing are two lively, off-the-wall characters – not at all like a lot of people’s stereotypes of Deaf people. They offer an introduction to Sign Language communication, from A to Z. They focus mainly on British Sign Language (BSL), but many of the points they make apply equally well to Deaf people and Sign Languages in other countries, including Ireland.
The topics they cover include finger-spelling and its place in Sign Language, with demonstrations of both the British and Irish finger-spelling alphabets.
Other topics include the use of BSL/English interpreters; how lack of communication support at work can leave Deaf people feeling excluded and isolated; Deaf children; and the wide range of jobs Deaf people are perfectly capable of doing, given the chance.
Amy and Zing do all of this with a great sense of humour, never taking themselves too seriously. In a pacy, entertaining way, they cover a huge amount of essential information for those wanting to get to know more about Sign Language and the Deaf community.
This is backed up with a generous selection of case-studies, interviews and demonstrations by Deaf people from all over the UK.
Amy and Zing’s Amazing A-Z isn’t an encyclopaedia or a dictionary. It’s a wide-ranging, but brief introduction. But it’s as good a start as you’ll get!
Amy & Zing was written and produced by, Independent Media Signing, IMS, 21 Soho square, London W1D 3QP, United Kingdom.
http://www.ims-media.com
Video materials created by, Remark, 13-14 Greenwich Quay, Clarence Road, London, SE8 3EY, United Kingdom.
http://www.remark.uk.com