East Yorkshire mum urges Santas to learn BSL for deaf children

An East Yorkshire mum is encouraging Santas to learn basic BSL to make the experience better for deaf children.

Tanya Andrews says she's been in contact with venues asking if their Santa's can use sign language to make her daughter feel included.

Tanya said:

"I can't just book somewhere to go and take the children to meet Santa because obviously they can't communicate with my daughter. And in the past we've had several places where they said they'll provide BSL or they have someone who will sign, we've booked, we've gone, and they haven't been able to sign to the point where they don't even know how to sign Happy Christmas.

"I can interpret what Santa's saying, but that alleviates that magic between the connection of the conversation. I just want it to be accessible for both of my children when it puts me in a really difficult position when Santa can speak to my son but then can't communicate with my daughter.

"She does want to be included. I think she does notice now she's getting a bit older, that she's isolated.

"The signs that I shared from YouTube, from commanding hands, they are just the basics of how someone would greet and the would greet the children without needing the parents to interpret it, which then takes the magic away. I can't just be a mom. I've got to be involved in that conversation as well."