British Deaf Association
British Deaf Association (BDA) is a British charity representing those deaf people who use British Sign Language. It was originally formed in 1890 by Francis Maginn to protect sign language and the Deaf community. This followed directly from the Milan Congress of 1880. The Congress - which excluded Deaf people - decided that the oralist method was the only approach that should be used in schools and that sign language would not be taught. A royal commission report followed in 1889 which established the Pure Oral System being established. The BDA campaigned against this for many years - and continues to do so. It was not until the 1970s that some schools began to look again at encouraging sign language.
The BDA became a deaf-led organisation in the 1990s. Campaigning for the recognition of sign language remains a main thrust of their work.[1]
Its previous chair is Doug Alker, formerly of the RNID and the FDP.
Francis Murphy of Newcastle-upon-Tyne is the present Chair.
External links
- Official website
- "British Deaf Association, registered charity no. 1031687". Charity Commission for England and Wales.
References
- ^ "History of Deaf organisations". deafinfo.org. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
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