What is it like for a deaf employee working from home?
One of the biggest changes that businesses have had to tackle during this time has been moving a vast workforce into a home working setting. For deaf employees, this shift is even more seismic. Despite the wide range of technology available, there can still be a strong feeling of isolation for a deaf person. Not […]
Becoming an Interpreter at different ages/life stages – pro’s and con’s or musings
Is changing your career to become a British Sign Language Interpreter later in life a good idea? We spoke to Debbie Watkins, one of our fabulous Interpreting Team, and asked her to give us FIVE reasons a ’40 something’ – and beyond! – can make an excellent BSL Interpreter. First, a brief background… Debbie, now […]
January 2020 Newsletter
Welcome to terptree Times – January 2020 This month we feature: A deaf woman’s experience of retrieving over £8000 back from scammers Lipreading through a drive-thru 50 Shades later Click here to download now
October 2019 Newsletter
Welcome to terptree Times – October 2019 This month we feature: Changing how the world sees disability: One photo at a time Being the only one in the office Online deaf customer journey: not just an ‘Accessibility’ page Click here to download now
Do all parents use Sign Language with their deaf children?
This is an interesting question that has been asked very publicly since The Silent Child. This was a short film that was launched in 2017 and went on to win an Academy Award on 4 March 2018. The film featured Libby (Maisie Sly), a four-year-old profoundly deaf girl. She lives a ‘silent life’ until she […]
WASLI Conference 2019
Last month, I was one of the 50+ British delegates at the World Association of Sign Language Interpreters (WASLI) 2019 conference in Paris. Over the 15 years of working in this Industry, I have attended many UK-based BSL Interpreting and Deaf conferences. This included an EFSLI conference which was held in Brighton in 2003. These […]
I’ll tell you later – keeping your deaf colleagues included
How frustrating is it when someone says, “Don’t worry, I’ll tell you later”? And to top it off, when you go to check what was said, they don’t remember. Well, this happens all the time to deaf people. In the workplace, dialogue can move so fast especially when conversations involve several staff around communal spaces […]
UNCRPD and its relevance for deaf people and sign language Interpreters
“The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) is an international treaty which identifies the rights of disabled people. It also holds obligations on Parliament to promote, protect and ensure those rights don’t stop. The government can ratify the optional protocol within this convention. This would allow deaf and disabled people […]
terptree TV Episode #14: Wilderness Festival
In this episode of terptree TV, Victoria is exploring the outdoors at the Wilderness Festival in Oxfordshire and exploring the perception that if you are using sign language, then you can’t speak. Check it out here. https://youtu.be/TW0TXTgNeQk
terptree TV Episode #13: Paris WASLI
In this episode of terptree TV, Victoria is in Paris at the WASLI Conference, where she appreciates developing countries’ challenges. She talks about the lack of interpreters and the need for training and ongoing support. https://youtu.be/1MnDbNPGXYg
Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning
All of us strive to make our customers happy. And, when they’re unhappy, it’s a clear indicator that something has gone wrong. Of course, in these situations, it’s paramount that the customer feels you care. That you’ve accepted, there is an issue and that you’re taking action to resolve it. But another part of customer […]
War Horse at the National Theatre: a streamlined deaf customer experience
Here at terptree, we are always looking for stories from deaf people about the experiences that show access at its best (and worst!) The National Theatre came up in a recent conversation with a deaf friend. She used the words “you’ll never believe it” and “can’t wait to tell you about it.” So, of course, […]
terptree TV Episode #12: Cornwall
In this episode of terptree TV, Victoria is in Cornwall at the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Here she asks you to consider your website and the challenges faced by deaf customers and accessing information that is relevant to them. For more episodes of terptree TV check them out here. https://youtu.be/PHY3SRxfp5I
Rip off Britain – car breakdown companies
I recently caught an episode of the BBC One show Rip-off Britain. In this episode, they discussed car breakdown cover and how this affected those who are deaf or have hearing loss. During the segment, they interviewed the lovely Lesley and Brenda from Merseyside about their experiences with car breakdown cover. The couple wanted to […]
July 2019 Newsletter
Welcome to terptree Times – July 2019 This month we feature: Deaf Awareness Week needs a Pride to revamp Why subtitling is a must VRS or Live Chat Click here to download now
The fragmentation of our profession
I remember when I started learning sign language and wanted to train to become a qualified interpreter. Everything seemed really simple! You followed a pre-determined training path: ASLI – one professional organisation, and one registration body – NRCPD. One thing that has struck me over the past couple of years is the huge change within […]
I don’t think it should be the burden of minorities to explain themselves
In a recent Pride Edition of the publication of Shortlist, this is what Michael Seglov said: I don’t think it should be the burden of minorities to explain themselves. He was, in fact, talking about the LGBTQ community. It is also an idea that has relevance across multiple minority groups. Treating people as human overwrites […]
terptree TV Episode #11 Japan how attention to detail makes you feel
This episode of terptree TV comes all the way from Japan! In this episode, Victoria talks about the care and attention to detail taken in different situations. She also looks at how it can benefit operational efficiency. For more episodes of terptree TV check them out here https://youtu.be/kGIht1RDVBs
terptree TV Episode #10 Japan signage
This episode of terptree TV comes from Japan when Victoria looks at Japanese signage. For more episodes of terptree TV check them out here https://youtu.be/qGsK39kY6cc
April 2019 Newsletter
Welcome to terptree Times – April 2019 This month we feature: Putting disability on the Board’s agenda Where it all begins 5 great reasons to employ a deaf person Click here to download now
January 2019 Newsletter
Welcome to terptree Times – January 2019 This month we feature: A deaf woman’s experience of retrieving over £8000 back from scammers Lipreading through a drive-thru 50 Shades later Click here to download now
Lionsgate offering deaf Americans access to movies in American Sign Language
Here in the UK, there is still a long way to go for Deaf people to have equal access to cinemas. Using our local cinema chain as an example, only 2 out of 146 showings had subtitles, subsequently offering very little choice for deaf people who love to go to the movies. Box Office hits […]
Is Relay UK good enough?
Relay UK, previously known as Next Generation Text (NGT), is a relay service that helps people with hearing and speech difficulties communicate with anyone over the phone. It’s the UK’s national text relay service and was established back in 1991, where it was known as TypeTalk. It was then relaunched in 2014 by BT and […]
Adding captions to Instagram Stories
New and evolving technologies inevitably lead to companies producing more innovative products. This is because these innovations add new features to their products and can often lead to better learning opportunities. The most recent innovation has come from Instagram who have enabled users to caption their Instagram Stories videos. This automatically allows deaf […]
The evolution of CPD through thinking differently
Registration with an NRCPD requires us as BSL/English interpreters to complete 12 hours of structured and 12 hours of unstructured CPD, enabling us to keep up with the advancement and development of our education and continue to enhance our skills. When I first became a registered interpreter, there was no mandatory CPD requirement. But I, along […]
terptree TV Episode #9 London Heathrow – Britain’s busiest airport
Check out this episode of terptree TV Episode #9 where Victoria comes to you from London Heathrow – Britain’s busiest airport For more episodes of terptree TV check them out here. https://youtu.be/g5csVJunSwI
My first day at the BDA
When you think about your first day at work, it already makes you feel full of trepidation. Not knowing what to expect or whether you will fit in with your team. You also want to believe that the job that you’ve wanted for so long is all that you expected it to be. I remember […]
Any exposure of BSL and BSL Interpreting is a positive thing, right?
Four Weddings and a Funeral first hit our screens in 1994 and featured a deaf actor, David Bower, playing the part of Charles’ brother (Hugh Grant). The fact that such a well-loved film featured a deaf actor is still talked about today. It was an excellent opportunity to showcase a deaf character who is strong […]
GP Patient Survey requires lots of patience
Despite my husband rarely seeing our local GP, he received a GP patient survey through the post. As a society, we are all pretty time-poor, and for businesses and organisations trying to gain much-needed feedback, this is a challenge and requires lots of patience. When you buy a product, you are asked to give feedback. […]
terptree TV Episode #8: Time and Space in Alicante
In this episode of terptree TV Episode #8 Victoria is in Alicante looking at time and space. https://youtu.be/XiKzR8GWfms
British Airways advert: 100 years – including deaf twins
British Airways traces its origins back to the birth of civil aviation, including the world’s first scheduled air service on 25 August 1919, by Aircraft Transport and Travel Limited (AT&T), a former company of today’s British Airways. To celebrate this centenary, British Airways is celebrating the best of Britain. One of the ways […]
In the Willows – Chris Fonseca stars in a delightful inclusive theatre experience
I was invited to attend In the Willows press night on Wednesday 10th of April, at Oxford Playhouse Theatre. This was dubbed as the “Explosive new British musical, with soaring vocals and spectacular street dance, starring Olivier Award winner Clive Rowe, deaf Street dancer Chris Fonseca (The Greatest Dancer) and Seann Miley Moore (X-Factor).” With […]
Putting disability on the Board’s Agenda
Last month Richard Branson pledged that Virgin Media and nine others, including Unilever, Microsoft and Barclays, had signed up to put disability on the top of the board’s agenda. Apple has this week shown that Branson is not the only one complaining that emojis do not accurately represent those with disabilities. Back in March 2018, […]
There is no better time to include deaf people in your brand messaging
Everywhere you look, from the government, the Oscars, film, branding and TV, Deaf people have a higher representation than ever before, and there is no better time to include deaf people in your brand messaging. The most recent example of this is on BBC One’s brand-new dancing contest, The Greatest Dancer, where dancers have to […]
terptree TV Episode #1: Houses of Parliament
In the first Episode #1 of teptree TV, Victoria is at the Houses of Parliament. For more episodes check them out here. https://youtu.be/RbhShTP3Wjk
Creating a Personal Development Plan: The What, Why and How!
I have recently been talking about goal setting, success and reflection. Last week I took a look at goal setting and achieving goals. I got to thinking that it would be useful to pull everything together so that you can create a personal development plan to set you on the path to achieving your goals. […]
Talk it through: The benefits of Supervision
Before I came to work at terptree, I ran my own business. I had always worked for someone before, so it was a different choice for me. I was working with groups of clients, coaching them around weight management, so you can imagine I got to hear lots of different stories, some of which inspired […]
Should you volunteer your services as a Sign Language Interpreter?
Deciding whether or not you should volunteer your services as a sign language interpreter can be a tricky dilemma to face. After spending extortionate amounts of money and time to gain your qualifications, should you offer your services and skills for free? We’ve discussed this at terptree, and we ultimately concluded that volunteering your services […]
Victoria is Shortlisted For The Emerging SME 2016 Award by Forward Ladies
We have been celebrating here at terptree HQ. Victoria has been shortlisted as a Finalist for the Emerging SME category in London and the South of England. With a new female prime minister, eight women cabinet ministers, and a new female chair of the Institute of Directors, British politics and businesses are trailblazing for women […]
