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For many interpreters/translators, a first experience of menopause discussion can often be in an NHS GP appointment with a client presenting with a range of symptoms - which might be menopause related.
However, do we have sufficient menopause related vocabulary in both BSL & English, in order for us to render comfortably between the two?
In 2018 Sarah Bown (University of Wolverhampton) proposed a research initiative to BID services Birmingham, to ask if their D/deaf and hard of hearing communities would like to discuss & feedback about their experiences of menopause related accessible information and healthcare support.
In the months that followed, approximately 100 people responded to that call via workshops, surveys and 1:1 enquiry. The research scoped Birmingham, Solihull, Leeds, Durham and Milton Keynes.
The research findings demonstrated significant need for accessible information and greater understanding, in order for these communities to make informed choices about their menopause related health and healthcare/treatment options.
Infographic:
https://signhealth.org.uk/resources/the-change-of-life-project-deaf-women-and-menopause/
This feedback provided the evidence of need for further development of this project.
Subsequent collaborative work between BID Services, the University of Wolverhampton, My Menopause Centre and Holland & Barrett, resulted in the establishment of Doctor led educational workshops and the creation by BID services, of the first agreed British Sign Language resource for women experiencing the menopause.
These resources have been developed by the D/deaf community, for the Deaf community, helping them to better understand the menopause, symptoms and treatment options and to make informed choices/communicate more effectively with their healthcare providers.
A second survey was undertaken to ascertain the outcome from the BID services and My Menopause Centre educational workshops. These results were showcased in 2024 at the British Menopause Society conference.
The workshop will be presented by Sarah Bown (senior lecturer University of Wolverhampton 1999-2025) and Bhavana Jamin (BID Services) who will talk about the project, the glossary BSL signs that were developed and the use of them in interpreting situations. The workshop will provide for plenty of discussion around how menopause related vocabulary can be conceptualised and rendered in BSL.
The workshop will be followed by a light lunch between 12:30 and 1pm, for those also attending the Open Space that afternoon. Please email westmidlands@asli.org.uk if you have any dietary requirements that we need to be aware of.
The workshop will be presented in BSL, with no intepreters provided.
Please contact westmidlands@asli.org.uk if you have any queries or issues booking on to this event
