Programme
Deaf Day 2026
You can book your free taster sessions for Deaf Day 2026. For each session we will have some spaces available that can be booked at City Lit in person on the day.
Taster Session
Lipreading
| Time: 10:30-11:15 | Location: 505 |
Join Lorraine Braggins for a fun, interactive session to try out lipreading. Taught in spoken English with a BSL interpreter.
This session is now full. There will be more available tickets on the day at the box office.
Information Session
Access to Work: Insights and Q&A with RNID and DeafATW
| Time: 11:00-12:00 | Location: 502 |
Join RNID and DeafATW where they share key findings from their latest research, highlighting current challenges, gaps in provision, and opportunities to improve Access to Work. The session will also include an open Q&A, giving you the chance to ask questions, share experiences, and hear from those who are working to make the scheme more accessible for deaf people and people with hearing loss.
This session is now full. There will be more available tickets on the day at the box office.
Information Session
Convo
| Time: 11:00-11:45 | Location: CPX |
What if connection could happen in seconds? Join our workshop and experience how Deaf BSL users choose when and how to connect with qualified interpreters through Convo.
This session is now full. There will be more available tickets on the day at the box office.
Taster Session
Yoga to Refresh
| Time: 11:00-11:30 | Location: 104 |
This yoga workshop is taught in sign language. Develop your awareness and practice of Yoga.
This session is now full. There will be more available tickets on the day at the box office.
Taster Session
Mixed Media Workshop
| Time: 11:00-11:45 | Location: 405 |
Unleash your creative side on this fun mixed-media workshop. More places are available to book on the day.
This session is now full. There will be more available tickets on the day at the box office.
Information Session
MoneyPlus
| Time: 11:00-12:00 | Location: 507 |
Come and meet our team to discover how MoneyPlus can support you.
This session is now full. There will be more available tickets on the day at the box office.
Information Session
Lipreading Teacher Training overview
| Time: 11:30-12:15 | Location: 505 |
This session is taught in English. Learn about what is involved in training to be a lipreading teacher.
This session is now full. There will be more available tickets on the day at the box office.
Information Session
SignWow
| Time: 12:00-12:45 | Location: CPX |
Come and meet our team to discover how SignWow and our new SignWow PA service can support you. Whether at home or work, we offer BSL support anytime, anywhere – making communication, easier every day.
This session is now full. There will be more available tickets on the day at the box office.
Taster Session
Yoga Mudras (hand shapes for healing)
| Time: 12:15-12:45 | Location: 104 |
This yoga workshop is taught in sign language. Develop your awareness and practice of Yoga.
This session is now full. There will be more available tickets on the day at the box office.
Information Session
St John's Ambulance
| Time: 12:15-13:15 | Location: 507 |
Interested in learning British Sign Language? Learn some basic vocabulary and grammar during this BSL taster on Deaf Day 2026.
This session is now full. There will be more available tickets on the day at the box office.
Information Session
Lipspeaking: Ever wondered what a professional lipspeaker does?
| Time: 12:15-13:15 | Location: 502 |
Find out more about Lipspeaker UK and the communication support services they offer. The talk will be delivered in spoken English with BSL interpreting, lipspeaking and lipspeaking with sign professionals show casing their skills. Why not have a go at using a lipspeaker to see if you can follow the talk?
This session is now full. There will be more available tickets on the day at the box office.
Workshop
Drama activity for families with MJ Russell de Clifford
| Time: 12:30-13:15 | Location: 503 |
Join us for a fun BSL fun family workshop - more places available to book on the day!
This session is now full. There will be more available tickets on the day at the box office.
Taster Session
BSL Taster
| Time: 12:30-13:15 | Location: 505 |
Interested in learning British Sign Language? Learn some basic vocabulary and grammar during this BSL taster on Deaf Day 2026.
This session is now full. There will be more available tickets on the day at the box office.
Talk
Audience with Richard D France
| Time: 13:00-13:45 | Location: CPX |
Join City Lit's Richard D France as he takes to the Cultureplex for a Deaf Day surprise.
This session is now full. There will be more available tickets on the day at the box office.
Talk
BSL storytime for children
| Time: 13:30-14:15 | Location: 503 |
Discover the magic of stories brought to life in British Sign Language! A fun, visual storytelling session perfect for children and families.
This session is now full. There will be more available tickets on the day at the box office.
Information Session
EnergyPlus
| Time: 13:30-14:30 | Location: 507 |
Come and meet our team to discover how EnergyPlus can support you.
This session is now full. There will be more available tickets on the day at the box office.
Information Session
Access to Work: Insights and Q&A with RNID and DeafATW
| Time: 13:30-14:30 | Location: 502 |
Join RNID and DeafATW where they share key findings from their latest research, highlighting current challenges, gaps in provision, and opportunities to improve Access to Work. The session will also include an open Q&A, giving you the chance to ask questions, share experiences, and hear from those who are working to make the scheme more accessible for deaf people and people with hearing loss.
This session is now full. There will be more available tickets on the day at the box office.
Taster Session
Sign Video and 999 BSL
| Time: 14:00-14:45 | Location: CPX |
Using SignVideo. Learn about making free video interpreting calls to connect with anyone at work, home or social.
This session is now full. There will be more available tickets on the day at the box office.
Taster Session
Mixed Media Workshop
| Time: 14:00-15:00 | Location: 405 |
Unleash your creative side on this fun mixed-media workshop. More places are available to book on the day. More places are available to book on the day.
This session is now full. There will be more available tickets on the day at the box office.
Taster Session
Yoga Calming Breaths
| Time: 14:30-15:00 | Location: 104 |
Take a moment to relax from the chaos or Deaf Day with some breathing exercises in this fun yoga exercise delivered in BSL.
This session is now full. There will be more available tickets on the day at the box office.
Workshop
Drama activity for families with MJ Russell de Clifford
| Time: 14:45-15:45 | Location: 503 |
Join us for a fun BSL fun family workshop - more places available to book on the day!
This session is now full. There will be more available tickets on the day at the box office.
Taster Session
BSL Taster
| Time: 14:45-15:45 | Location: 507 |
Interested in learning British Sign Language? Learn some basic vocabulary and grammar during this BSL taster on Deaf Day 2026.
This session is now full. There will be more available tickets on the day at the box office.
Workshop
John Smith 21 Years of Comedy show
| Time: 14:45-15:45 | Location: 502 |
Join us for a Deaf Day comedy show with John Smith, celebrating 21 years of comedy!
This session is now full. There will be more available tickets on the day at the box office.
Talk
Deaf history: use of Roman gestures in BSL
| Time: 15:00-15:45 | Location: CPX |
Deaf Historian Peter Brown shares his latest research on Roman hand gestures and their influence on modern BSL.
This session is now full. There will be more available tickets on the day at the box office.
Taster Session
Lipreading
| Time: 15:00-15:45 | Location: 505 |
Join Daryl Joyce for a fun, interactive session to try out lipreading. Taught in spoken English with a BSL interpreter.
This session is now full. There will be more available tickets on the day at the box office.
Taster Session
Calming yoga to rest (restorative yoga postures)
| Time: 15:15-15:45 | Location: 104 |
This yoga workshop is taught in sign language. Develop your awareness and practice of Yoga.
This session is now full. There will be more available tickets on the day at the box office.
Exhibition
Interrogating Identity: Portrayals and Perceptions
| Time: 10:00-16:00 | Location: City Lit Gallery |
Curated by acclaimed artist Rubbena Aurangzeb-Tariq, this year’s Deaf Day exhibition Interrogating Identity: Portrayals and Perceptions features a range of Deaf artists, whose practices are shaped by their experiences of deafness and their engagement with the world around them.
Information stand
Exhibitors
|
Location: John Lyon's Theatre |
- City Lit – British Sign Language
- City Lit – Lipreading
- City Lit – Access, Inclusion & Support
- City Lit – English, Maths & Digital Skills for Deaf People
- Association of Teachers of Lipreading to Adults (ATLA)
- Lipspeaker UK
- Convo
- SignWow
- Sorenson Interpreting
- DeafPlus
Information stand
Exhibitors
|
Location: Room 102 |
- Signly
- Heriot-Watt University
- DAPIP (Deaf Advisory PIP)
- VoluntEars
- Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
- Annunciation Church
- Deaf Run Club
Information stand
Exhibitors
|
Location: Room 105 |
- Convo
- Deafinitely Theatre
- Amsaan Accessible Tours
- Action Deafness
- DeafPlus
Information stand
Exhibitors
|
Location: Room 106 |
- SignVideo
- BSL 999
- Heritage interpreters
- Signapse
- DCAL (Deafness Cognition and Language Centre)
- Deaf Property Holdings
- Performance Interpreting Ltd
Information stand
Exhibitors
|
Location: Room 112 |
- SignWow
-
Association of Lipspeakers with Additional Sign (ALAS)
- Paddy Ladd
- University of Sussex
- Sea Support Services Ltd
Information stand
Exhibitors
|
Location: Room 113 |
- Sign Solutions
- GBR Deaf Sailing
- Royal Association for Deaf People
- Interpreter of Colour
- British Deaf Association
Information stand
Exhibitors
|
Location: Room 114 |
- RNID
Information stand
Exhibitors
|
Location: Room 213 |
- Bright Deafblind
- Deaf Action
- NRCPD
- NDCS
Information stand
Exhibitors
|
Location: Room 214 |
- Signature
- St John Ambulance
- Hamilton Lodge School and College
- UK Deaf Sport
- Signhealth
- British Deaf History Society
Information stand
Exhibitors
|
Location: Room 215 |
- Deaf Bible Fellowship
- Association of Sign Language Interpreters
- Click BSL
-
South West London and St George's Mental Health Trust
- ABSLTA
Information stand
Exhibitors
|
Location: Room 216 |
- Stagetext
- Remark! Community
- London Fire Brigade
- BSL Bouldering
- University of Lancashire
Information stand
Exhibitors
|
Location: Room 217 |
- UK Deaf Student Union
- University of Wolverhampton
- Metropolitan Police Cyber Crime Unit
- Mary Hare School
Deaf Day 2026
Deaf Day is a free annual one-day event organised by City Lit’s Centre for Deaf Education. Deaf Day is a celebration of Deaf culture, an opportunity to socialise and celebrate Deaf Education.