A Caerphilly-based magazine aimed at the deaf community has expanded with a new digital edition.
Launched by Caerphilly woman Sarah Lawrence in 2011 as a local printed publication, SL First went UK wide in March this year and has been well-received by deaf and hard of hearing readers as well as those working with deaf people and their families.
Now the publication is building on its online presence with the launch of a new digital magazine.
Its website, along with the print edition, will focus on the successes of deaf people in all walks of life as well as providing useful information and advice.
Among the first features available to readers of the electronic version will be a UK exclusive interview with Michael Hubbs.
Deaf from birth, Michael is one of the world’s finest speed skaters and is aiming for a place in the USA team for the winter Olympics.
Closer to home, SL First takes a look at the pioneering steps being taken by Bridgend County Borough Council to engage deaf and hard of hearing members of their community including online videos signed in BSL (British Sign Language) by Sarah herself.
Born and brought up in Caerphilly, Sarah has been deaf since she was three and it was her own experiences that inspired her to launch the magazine, with support from Caerphilly County Borough Council.
An expert in British Sign Language, Sarah is no stranger to the media, through her work translating on the ITV News and, most latterly, on BBC and S4C programmes, including CBeebies.
Due to her work promoting equality and diversity, Sarah was also profiled in the Story at 40 film produced by Disability Wales.
Sarah launched SL First intent on celebrating deaf achievement, adopting a positive, uplifting nature for the articles, which sets it apart from other publications. Produced for the ten million people who are deaf or hard of hearing, Sarah also makes every article available as a BSL video, a unique offer amongst other deaf publications.
The approach certainly seems to have struck a chord with her readership and it is the overwhelmingly favourable feedback that she has received that has prompted her to extend its reach through the introduction of the digital magazine.
Sarah has said she is staunch in her belief that there is a huge need for a magazine that provides information, advice and positive role models for deaf people of all ages.
Already receiving encouraging responses from all corners of Britain and, indeed, around the world, she sees the launch of the new web site as a huge step in helping her fulfil her ambition.
For more information visit www.slfirst.co.uk.
It's nice to hear some good news. Lots of reading is taught to us by listening to sounds and copying them. How are deaf people taught. This fascinates me as to how they learn. I remember learning about Braille and found that fascinating too.