Kind-hearted neighbours of a six-year-old deaf girl, Ada Hawkes, took the initiative to learn sign language so that she could experience trick-or-treating for the first time. Ada, who was diagnosed as profoundly deaf at 18 months, primarily uses British Sign Language (BSL) for communication. In past years, Ada has wanted to participate in Halloween activities with her mother, Tilly, but faced challenges due to communication barriers.
The Halloween season can be especially difficult for the deaf community, with dark surroundings and masks making lip reading and communication more challenging. This year, Ada’s local community rallied together to fulfil her Halloween wish, enabling her to take part in trick-or-treating. Working in collaboration with Cadbury Fingers and the National Deaf Children’s Society, Tilly encouraged neighbours to learn basic BSL phrases related to Halloween, promoting inclusivity for individuals with hearing impairments.
With the support of the community, 60 per cent of households in Ada’s Worcester neighbourhood engaged in learning BSL to help her enjoy her first trick-or-treating experience. Each household received special packages containing Halloween-themed BSL phrases like “trick or treat” and “you look spooky.” Neighbours displayed signs in their windows indicating their progress in learning BSL, and expert sign language instructors visited them to offer support and guidance.
Tilly, who operates Learning.Adas.Language, expressed her excitement for Ada’s first trick-or-treating adventure, now that their street has become familiar with basic BSL. Witnessing her neighbours communicate with Ada in sign language will undoubtedly be a memorable and heartwarming experience. This effort aligns with recent research showing that a significant percentage of adults have never used BSL and would find it challenging to communicate with a deaf person.
A survey of 400 deaf individuals revealed that a quarter had never gone trick-or-treating, with many feeling they missed out on such experiences. The collaborative effort from Ada’s community not only facilitated her participation in Halloween festivities but also highlighted the importance of inclusivity and communication accessibility for individuals with hearing impairments.
Ada’s story serves as an inspiring example of how communities can come together to support and empower individuals with disabilities, creating an environment where everyone can feel included and valued. The willingness of Ada’s neighbours to learn sign language demonstrates the power of empathy and solidarity in breaking down communication barriers and fostering genuine connections within a community. This heartwarming gesture not only made Ada’s Halloween dream a reality but also serves as a reminder of the impact of small acts of kindness and understanding in making a significant difference in someone’s life.