Publications

Spit National Research Made Public

The last decade has seen a large increase in the number of arts organisations putting on BSL interpreted performances. Often arts organisations have little knowledge of the Deaf community or their needs. SPIT has carried out seminal national research into the provision, practise and audience of BSL interpreted performances for Deaf arts attendees. The findings have been collated into five publications that are now on sale from SPIT. These, along with other related publications are listed below.

Jillian Barker, former Chair of SPIT said,

The report "ACCESS TO THEATRE" analysed the experiences of Deaf people who currently attend BSL interpreted performances, looking at how they hear about performances, their booking patterns and their views on current provision. The second report focused on a group of Deaf people who do not attend, assessing the factors that deter them. There is also SPIT's first national seminar report that looks at the interpreter's view, a historical background and a personal view of attending BSL interpreted performances, and most recently the report from our conference, "Theatre And A Deaf Audience - A Good Night Out ?". All the publications are free to SPIT members.

SPIT Publications

SPIT FIRST NATIONAL SEMINAR REPORT
Christine Butterfield, November 1995.

This report of the first SPIT seminar covers the issue of sign language performances from a range of perspectives. Peter Llewellyn-Jones gives the interpreter's view, John Wilson, the historical view, Caroline Bradley comments on the broader issues and Maggie Woolley gives a passionate personal account of her experiences of attending sign language interpreted performances.
Price £5.00

WORKING TOWARDS GOOD PRACTICE CONFERENCE REPORT
Christine Butterfield, March 1998.

Report of the Working Towards Good Practice conference highlights working with interpreters, and good practice in Education & Marketing. The Keynote Speech from Genista McIntosh, Director RNT and John Wilson's view of the future for Sign Language Interpreted Performances.
Price £5.00.

THEATRE AND THE DEAF AUDIENCE - A GOOD NIGHT OUT?
Cath Hunter, October 2000

Report of SPIT's third conference Theatre and the Deaf Audience - a good night out? A discussion of the best way for Deaf people to get a "good night out". Speakers include Genny Fillery formerly of Gate Theatre, Diana Kingdom, Disability Direct, Andrew McIntyre, Metro Cinema, Jeffrey Wilson, Stage Sign and the SPIT Executive Committee.
Price £5.00

ACCESS TO THEATRE
An investigation into the reactions of Deaf theatre-goers to current provision for access to mainstream theatre.
Ian Depledge, June 1995.

As well as assessing the types of Deaf attenders and their views, this report also provides a list of recommendations for good practice.
Price £7.00

HOW ACCESSIBLE IS MAINSTREAM THEATRE ?
An investigation into the reasons for non-attendance by Deaf people at mainstream theatre.
Deafworks, SPIT and Arts Marketing Warwickshire, September 1996.

This report identifies the factors that inhibit attendance on the part of Deaf people and seeks chances to encourage such people to go to the theatre.
Price £10.00

SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETED PERFORMANCES
Providing access to theatre for the Deaf
Caroline Bradley, April 1997.

This report forms part of Caroline Bradley's MA dissertation and provides a fascinating insight into the Deaf Community and the development of sign language interpreted performances.
Price £10.00

All publications are free to members of SPIT.

If you would like to order any of these publications, please contact us.

Other Related Publications
(not available from SPIT. See contact details below)

• ASLI Directory of Associate & Licenced Members. Available from ASLI
• CACDP Directory of Sign Language Interpreters. Available from CACDP
• Deafworks: Opening Up! Conference Report. Access for deaf and hard of hearing people to arts, cultural and tourism events. 1999. Available from Deafworks
• Deafworks/Arts Council of England: Deaf arts audit: Research into the provision of arts activities for deaf people in England. 2000. Available from Deafworks
• Deafworks: Access for deaf people to museums and galleries Report and working manual to improve your deaf access. 2002. Available from Deafworks
• Disability Discrimination Act 1995, A Guide for Everyone. More details from the Disability Rights Comission or full details of the DDA
• Guidelines for Marketing to Disabled Audiences.Arts Council of England. Available from the Arts Council
• Handshapes. A guide to using sign language interpreters in the arts. Ed. Clare Davis. Available from SHAPE London.
• ITC Equal Opportunities Policy into Practice: Disability. Available from the Independent Theatre Council
• RNID Information Directory. Available from the RNID.
• Sign Language Interpreted Performances at the Royal National Theatre, A Working Document. 1993. Available from the RNT.