The history of the Milton Keynes Deaf Community is slightly different from that of other towns and cities, as Milton Keynes is a ‘new town’ (and is now officially a city). Therefore, the roots of the deaf community stem from people coming together from across the UK to form a community, rather than from growing up in the same area or going to a local Deaf school
Most established towns and cities have a Deaf community. During industrialisation, many communities developed around deaf schools. Milton Keynes is unique in that respect, as MK is a collection of towns and villages that is now a unitary authority with no official Deaf school.
All schools in MK are mainstream schools with some having a specialist deaf unit attached. Historically, education focused on the ‘oral method’ (i.e., learning to speak and use hearing aids) rather than supporting BSL and Deaf Culture. Despite repeated efforts to fight for recognition of Deaf Culture, public bodies remain focused on speech and cochlear implants for deaf children. This impacts the local Deaf Community as deaf children miss out on Deaf culture. The community is also unable to share its knowledge, skills and culture with future generations.
This was one of the reasons why the community came together in 1997. At that time, the Deaf Community had support from Milton Keynes Council who helped the community to set up the first Deaf Club in Milton Keynes.
The first Deaf Club in Milton Keynes
The first club was based in Neath Hill community centre. Milton Keynes Council provided the initial funding to cover the costs of hiring the community rooms.
Community members came together and set up a committee to run events. Like many traditional clubs, volunteers set up games, parties and different activities for the whole community to join in. Unfortunately, the club closed 3 years later due to a lack of volunteers.
Deaf Club – Downs Barn
The next venue for MK Deaf Club was the Cross and Stable Church in Downs Barn. There were many happy community events including Halloween and Christmas parties. Sign Language students were also welcome to join in with the community. Check out the photos from some of the events:
Here is a copy of one of the newsletters. It gives you an insight into the activities that were important to Mk Deaf Community:
MK Deaf Club Christmas newsletter 2006
There was a period of time when there was no Deaf Club (despite the need for people to get together). Some members of the community recognised the need and set up events like ‘the Deaf Picnic’
The Deaf Community will always find ways to come together, share stories, learn from each other and share Deaf Culture.
MK Deaf Zone – Broughton Pavilion
The new community club was based in Broughton Pavilion and provided a number of activities, such as a Wednesday lunch club for over 65s (although any age was welcome) and Deaf Club events on Saturday evenings. MK Deaf Zone developed a collection of different activities such as a badminton group, walking group, climbing group and craft group. All groups were headed by volunteers who had an interest in the particular activity.
Group activities were further supported by advice and employment sessions run by Access Ambassadors.
Other group activities included a Diabetes session, learning about the NGT service and helping volunteers gain their first aid certificate.
MK Deaf Zone – Wednesday Club
Covid 19 had a significant impact on MK Deaf Zone’s activities. The Wednesday club is now the only session that runs regularly. It is held in the John Lewis community room, once a month, on Wednesday afternoon. Check out our Facebook page for the meeting dates.
You can support Deaf community activities by volunteering at events or helping with organising events. Get in touch via the contact page if you can support MK Deaf Zone activities
National Deaf History
MK Deaf Community history is ‘new’ in comparison to national deaf history. Modern BSL has its foundations in the London Asylum from 1790 onwards. The Asylum enabled sign language to be standardised. Standardised sign language dominated England during the 1850s.
The impact of Milan 1880
The Milan Conference is a key event in Deaf Community history. In 1880, people like Alexander Graham Bell had a devastating impact on the community when they attended a conference in Milan to decide how deaf children should be taught language. Those present decided to ban sign language and support the use of the oral method, i.e. teaching speech. There were no hearing aids, so the decision to take away a visual language in favour of spoken language seems cruel now. The standardised language that had started to take shape deteriorated and was replaced by regional variations.
Deaf children went through a terrible time, and many were deprived of language. Deaf children were denied sign language, and they couldn’t speak either. Consequently, many children left school with little or no education.
Researchers like Kate Rowley (who is profoundly deaf) have helped us to understand that children need to acquire language as early as possible. It doesn’t matter if language access is spoken or sign (preferably both). The NHS and social services have been slow to understand that sign language can be learned from as early as 8 weeks old (many babies from Deaf families can sign and express themselves clearly by 6 months).
The term British Sign Language appears to have been used by William C. Stokoe in his book Semiotics and Human Sign Languages in 1972. Thereafter, other researchers, like Mary Brennan, used the term. Her work ‘Can a deaf child acquire language?‘ gained significant attention. The term ‘British Sign Language’ has been used ever since. Official recognition of BSL took place in 2003.
21st-century Deaf Community
MK Deaf Zone has moved with the times and uses digital platforms to connect people. Some of the groups have continued, such as the badminton group. While other activities have been set up, such as Pickleball. All activities are posted on MK Deafzone’s Facebook page.