Heywood teen's fight to get sign language taught in schools
Jade Kidulff runs the website 'Sign Along With Us' with her brother, Christian
A Heywood teenager is fighting to give every schoolchild in the country the chance to learn sign language.
Jade Kidulff launched a petition, calling on the Government to make basic sign language part of the school curriculum.
She runs the Facebook page 'Sign Along With Us' with her brother, Christian, to teach people a new sign every day.
He's only three and has cerebral palsy. He uses Makaton, a simplified form of sign language, to communicate.
Since launching the page a few weeks ago, they have had hundreds of comments, likes and shares.
"Even his little five year old friends, when he goes to his drama classes, they can now say hello to him in his own way and that's special because they're speaking to him, rather than speaking to me through to him.
"He gets excited when kids come up to him and say things his way and I've even seen him go up to them and say good morning, so he must now realise that people are able to communicate with him.
"He must have noticed that they all understand what he's saying and it means he's come along so much because people can now understand him, so he wants to learn more. "
Already, the petition has more than 6,000 signatures after only running for five days
"In this country, there are huge amounts of children who use sign language and, if only their family members could talk to them then they've got that one person to talk to. No one should feel alone.
"Everyone's being so nice, I don't know how to take it. For me, I'd do it in a heartbeat to help my brother but they're all realising it's important and they want to try."
To sign the petition, visit: