Welcome to the Deaf Studies Trust Webblog
The Deaf Studies Trust (DST) is a national charity set up for the benefit of the Deaf community in the UK. It aims to apply research-based knowledge to practical issues for Deaf children and adults.
The main target for us is to improve communication and understanding. If we can achieve this, we believe we will improve the quality of Deaf people’s lives and make a contribution to society as a whole.
Research is very important in discovering Deaf people’s needs and finding solutions. DST does not give grants but receives support for different projects which we carry out in the UK.
Since 1984 we have had innovative projects with babies, children, young adults, Deaf people in the workplace and with elderly Deaf people. Recently we have specialised in community research, Deaf blind issues and in video telephones.
All of our research projects have Deaf people working on them.
DST is also Deaf-led with a Deaf Chair and a majority of Deaf trustees.
On this website, you will find information on the aims of the Trust, the past and present work of the Trust, its Annual Report, publications and links to partner organisations and relevant Deaf sites. You will find news and information. Please contact us with comments and questions which you may have.
The Trust began its work in 1984 in order to develop a more active link between research and the practical needs of the Deaf community.
It has carried out research work on young Deaf infants in order to find out about the early development of sign language and has worked on health issues with retired Deaf people. There has been work on every age group in between.
We have seen major changes in the Deaf community in this time. When we began Deaf people were in low paid jobs in factories and in manual work. Nowadays, Deaf people go to University and work in offices and in media and technology. Deaf schools are likely to use BSL and Deaf Studies is available at University and in Deaf schools.
The Trust for Deaf Studies began its work in 1984. The main principles are still the same as when it began:
communication and understanding – the attempt to enhance and improve the quality of deaf people’s lives and their contribution to society.
The Trust focused on the application of research:
Research plays a vital role in discovering deaf people’s needs and finding solutions. DST carries out this research and makes it available to Deaf people through video, DVD, in conferences and workshops and online.
The Trust has gradually expanded its activities and has maintained an excellent record of support for new projects. Research has been seen as the key to progress in the field.
The main aim of the Trust is to increase communication between Deaf people and the community through respect and participation. Deaf staff are central to the working of the Trust.
The advent of new technologies enables remote communication by deaf people, via text communicators and, more recently, videophones. The possibilities for mobile videophones are enormous. In all three areas the Deaf Studies Trust is making active contributions.
Most recently DST has taken on a project on Deafblind people and this has posed challenges for the Deaf community and has greatly enriched the Trust itself.