Christopher Laing, Founder of Deaf Architecture Front takes us through the platform and collective, focusing on activism, consulting, research, and the creation of open-source resources.

Deaf Architecture Front is a platform and collective, focusing on activism, consulting, research, and the creation of open-source resources. Deaf Architecture Front (DAF) aims to bridge the gap between the Deaf Community and Architectural Spatial Design industries. 

 

DAF was launched on 6th June at RIBA. This was an exciting opportunity to engage in insightful discussion and raise awareness about the numerous issues faced by the Deaf Community in Architecture today. 

 

Christopher Laing is the Founder of DAF and known for his work on Signstrokes, a project to develop new British Sign Language (BSL) lexicon for Architectural terms.

 

DAF will make a huge difference to the Deaf Community by creating a bridge to architecture, aiming to remove the barriers that have been in place for many years preventing Deaf people from engaging with architectural practice and events. 

 

The launch event would not have been possible without generous sponsorship from RIBA, Zettelers, Trigon Fire Safety, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, Foster and Partner and Eliza Grosvenor-Camille.  

 

DAF has undertaken research to better understand why there are only five qualified Deaf Architects in the UK. Their findings expose the numerous barriers for Deaf people who want to study architecture and engage with the field. One example is limited opportunities for work experience, due to lack of funding for BSL interpreters, a resource that is essential for communication between Deaf students on placement at Architectural firms. Without access to work experience, Deaf students cannot explore architecture as a potential career option and imagine themselves working in the industry. DAF plans to become a Charity or CIC, to secure funding for access to interpreters at work experience placements, which is vital to increase opportunities for Deaf students to participate within architecture.

 

Another example of these barriers is public consultations, which are not accessible for Deaf people for whom British Sign Language is their first and preferred language. DAF will provide BSL translations of written English, and ensure provision of interpreters at consultation events, to enable the Deaf Community to be included within these processes. 

 

Signstrokes was launched in 2021 but has been paused due to lack of funding. This is an essential resource for Deaf BSL users and there is still much work to do. DAF will provide funding for the continuation of this vital project. 

 

These are just a few examples of the many issues DAF aims to tackle to enable the Deaf community to connect with architectural practice, further information can be found on the DAF Instagram page @deafarchitecturefront 

 

If you would like DAF to give a presentation at your practice or workplace, please make contact via info@deafarchtiecturefront.com

DAF will be kickstarting its key projects in January 2024, it is currently focussed on essential fundraising to enable DAF to achieve its aims. All donations are hugely appreciated, and funders will be publicly thanked and acknowledged. Information on donating can be found at www.deafarchitecturefront.com.

If you are interested in becoming a partner, or joining the DAF board as an advisor or trustee, please contact Info@deafarchitecturefront.com.