Deaf Awareness · BSL Training · Accessibility Consultancy
Helping your organisation communicate confidently with Deaf people, hard of hearing people and BSL users.
A single miscommunication with a Deaf customer, patient or resident can mean a complaint, a safeguarding concern, or a service failure that was entirely avoidable. We train NHS trusts, councils, police forces, housing associations, retailers, schools and corporate teams to prevent that — building real skills and confidence, not just a compliance box to tick.
Request a written proposal instead → View services →
Every session is built around your sites, your services, and the real situations your staff already face.
Led by practical experience
Built around real access barriers
Craig Bartlett
BSL Interpreter · NRCPD Registered (Reg. No. 1023330) · Founder, ConverseBSL Ltd
ConverseBSL is led by Craig Bartlett, a BSL interpreter and founder of ConverseBSL. The training is shaped by real workplace situations, Deaf awareness practice, and the communication barriers Deaf and hard of hearing people still face when accessing everyday services.
Sessions are delivered by Craig, together with a small network of Deaf trainers and BSL practitioners — some sessions include a Deaf trainer or BSL user directly, bringing lived experience into the room alongside practical workplace guidance.
Public Liability & Professional Indemnity Insurance held · details available on request · Company No. 15798160
Sectors we train
Training designed for NHS Trusts · Local Authorities · Police Forces · Housing Associations · Retail & Shopping Centres · Corporate · Higher Education
What we deliver
Practical training, matched to your sector.
Deaf Awareness Training
Staff leave knowing how to recognise Deaf, deaf and hard of hearing experiences, avoid common mistakes, and communicate with confidence and respect. For any team that deals with the public.
See if this fits your team →Business BSL Training
Practical sign language skills for teams who meet Deaf customers, patients or residents regularly — enough to greet, reassure and direct confidently while an interpreter is arranged.
Get a BSL training quote →Accessibility Audits
A structured review of communication access, physical spaces, digital information and staff confidence — giving you a clear, prioritised list of what to fix first, not just a certificate.
Book an audit consultation →Consultancy & Reviews
A named contact who reviews your policies, recruitment process and customer journeys twice a year, and tells you exactly what to fix next — so inclusion doesn't quietly slide after the training day ends.
Book a policy review call →What changes
What your team can do after training
After training, staff will be able to:
Under the Equality Act 2010, organisations have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for Deaf and disabled people. Good Deaf awareness training helps your team meet that responsibility with confidence — and deliver a better experience for every customer, patient, resident or member of the public who relies on it. For public bodies, this also sits within your Public Sector Equality Duty — not just a legal backstop, but a day-to-day service standard.
Tailored to your organisation
Scenarios and vocabulary adapted to where your team works.
NHS & Healthcare
Reception and ward-based scenarios, including patient communication and appointment booking.
Local Authorities
Front-desk enquiries, home visits and benefits appointments.
Police & Emergency Services
Contact points, front counters and public-facing enquiry desks.
Housing Associations
Housing officer visits, repairs reporting and tenancy support conversations.
Retail & Shopping Centres
Till points, customer service desks and centre management interactions.
Education & Support Workers
Classroom support, pastoral care, parents' evenings and safeguarding conversations where a Deaf pupil, parent or colleague is involved.
Why ConverseBSL
Four things every session is built on.
Communication
Every interaction should work both ways.
Inclusion
Access shouldn't depend on who's on shift.
Respect
Deaf culture and language, not just compliance.
Confidence
Staff who know what to do, not just what to avoid.
Who we support
Sector-specific programmes, not one-size-fits-all.
How it works
Three steps, no surprises.
01
Consultation
We talk through who you serve, where communication breaks down, and what "done well" looks like for your teams.
02
Tailored proposal
A written proposal covering a training outline, delivery plan and clear quotation — built around your sites and sector.
03
Delivery & follow-up
On-site or online delivery, followed by refresher recommendations and a direct line for anything that comes up afterwards.
Frequently asked
Common questions
Do you deliver training online or in person?
Both. Most organisations choose on-site delivery for reception, ward or front-desk teams, with online sessions used for wider or multi-site teams.
How long does a typical session run?
Sessions range from a 3-hour taster to a 6-week introductory BSL course, depending on what your team needs.
How is training priced?
Every quote is built around your group size, sector and delivery format — we don't publish a fixed rate card, because no two organisations need exactly the same thing.
Can you invoice via a purchase order?
Yes — we regularly invoice via PO for NHS, local authority and BID-arranged bookings, with standard 30-day payment terms.
What size groups do you train?
Typically up to 15 per taster session and up to 12 per 6-week course, though we're happy to discuss larger cohorts.
Can individual learners book a place?
We focus on organisational training rather than individual public courses. If you're an individual learner, get in touch and we'll happily point you towards other options.
Client feedback
We're building a library of client feedback as current training programmes complete. Case studies and testimonials will appear here in time.
Ready to bring confident communication to your team?
Book a consultation below, or send a quick enquiry using the form — whichever's easiest. We'll get back to you directly.
Prefer a written proposal instead? Email us directly: craig@conversebsl.co.uk
Or send a quick enquiry