The project
August 2023 saw the Edinburgh Deaf Festival (EDF) deliver a 10-day programme of over 70 events to celebrate deaf culture and promote a positive deaf identity, running concurrently with the Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe.
The partnership
Established in 2004, SignLive introduced the videophone to the UK deaf community, providing instant access to BSL interpreting through video conferencing. As both SignLive and Deaf Action are deaf-led and deaf-owned organisations, values of accessibility, equality, diversity and inclusion are passionately shared. The business provided their vital services in-kind, allowing EDF organisers to redirect their limited budget towards growing the festival line-up.
The positive outcomes
In 2023, the EDF reached its largest audience, engaging with just under 25,000 people and attracting 2,500 attendees to events. For the vast majority of attendees, this was their first experience of a deaf arts and culture festival and 100% of attendees felt that the Festival successfully promoted inclusion. The Fringe Society reported a record number of BSL interpreted performances as a result of the influence and support of this partnership.
