Milton Keynes Deaf Zone (MKDZ) formed in July 2015 and officially launched
in January 2016. The aim of the collective is to promote independence, health
and well-being and encourage participation in the wider community. MK Deaf
Zone supports sign language users (including those who have cochlear
implants) and welcomes anyone across the range of hearing loss as well as
family members.
Deaf zone groups:
*Deaf Zone groups are not currently running due to risks posed by Covid 19*
MK Deaf Zone is a volunteer-led group that offers a range of activities
including badminton and a craft club. There is also a monthly afternoon
session at John Lewis community room. Wednesday afternoon sessions are
particularly important for older members who catch up on news and find out
important information. The sessions are also a great way for older sign
language users to continue Deaf Culture.
Deaf Culture is kept alive through activities and the use of British Sign
Language (BSL) as the main method of communication. Many volunteers and
group attendees are bi-lingual so use BSL and English. However, most
attendees use BSL to access information and are therefore native sign
language users.
Around 15 volunteers run MKDZ to support the wider Deaf Community. Most
of the group’s activities are aimed at adults, although there are family events
during the summer such as the Deaf Picnic.
Group activities:
Volunteers support or run other activities such as the meet up at
Wetherspoons pub, Deaf football, Deafastronomy and Deaf walks. Many of
our BSL Learners attend these events to practise their BSL skills.
From time to time, the volunteers organise days out. To date, days out have
included Ladies Day at Ascot, Kensington Palace to see Princess Diana’s
dresses and more recently, a tour around Bletchley Park.
Group volunteers have also enjoyed educational activities such as a First Aid
course and a Diabetes presentation.
MK Deaf Zone volunteers encourage other sign language users to get
involved in activities. The volunteers are keen to see others become part of
the local Deaf Community.
Meeting information:
If you would like to know more, details of events and meetings can be found
on the group’s Facebook page.