Regional winners announced in search for deaf communication champions

The regional winners in a UK-wide search for the best and most dedicated teachers and learners in deaf and deafblind communications have been announced.

Signature, the UK’s leading provider of accredited qualifications in deaf and deafblind communication and organisers of the prestigious 2012 Signature Annual Awards, has announced the regional winners in the awards’ Learner of the Year and Teacher of the Year categories.

Jet Ajimal

Jet Ajimal

Amongst the winners was Birmingham teacher, Jetinder Ajimal who was named West Midlands Teacher of the Year for his dedication to teaching British Sign Language. Over the past 12 months Jetinder has taught the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Birmingham the Signature Level 1 Award in BSL

Jim Edwards, Chief Executive at Signature, said the standard this year was higher than ever: “Each year, these awards serve to remind us that there is a staggering amount of good work going on across the country to enhance and develop deaf communications and I am so proud that Signature’s qualifications remain at the heart of much of this work.

“Our judges were left with the near-impossible task of picking out winners from the exceptional array of nominations we received – it was very close in many categories but we have been left with some very worthy winners.

“The nominations we receive are always utterly heartwarming and truly inspirational and once again I am looking forward to hearing much more about these regional winners during the build-up to our national awards in November.”

The annual awards hosted by Signature aim to celebrate the individuals and organisations that are dedicated to improving communication and accessibility for the deaf community.

Each of the regional winners will now be shortlisted for the national Learner of the Year and Teacher of the Year awards, to be announced at Signature’s awards ceremony in November.

For more information on the 2012 Signature Annual Awards, visit the awards’ website at www.signature.org.uk/awards