01 April 2022
We are delighted to announce that Deaf Comedian and Actor John Smith has become an Ambassador for NRCPD.
A profoundly Deaf BSL user, John became Deaf at three years old after contracting meningitis. He is passionate about equality and access for Deaf people and is a prominent figure in Deaf culture, having spent many years entertaining in Deaf clubs and theatres both nationally and internationally.
John is partnering with us to help promote excellence in language services, and raise awareness of the access experiences of Deaf and Deafblind people, as well as the communication barriers that limit inclusion for them. He will also be feeding back ideas and the experiences of the Deaf community to help us develop strategies that support our mission.
Commenting on the Ambassadorship, John says: 'I am excited to work with NRCPD to raise awareness of the issues affecting Deaf People such as the difficulties in having a BSL/English interpreter in medical emergencies and to ensure all Deaf people get the access they must have.'
Our Ambassador program is a new initiative and is part of our current strategy to build networks and influence for change. We look forward to working with John over the coming months to further advance our vision of unlimited inclusion for Deaf and Deafblind people.