AN INITIATIVE to encourage more employees, students and volunteers to take up sign language as an extra language and skill is now available in York.

Training consultancy Signs4Life are running workshops to help people communicate and engage with their colleagues, service users and clients who may have hearing impairments.

Tutor Sara Phillips said:“You never know when you will come into contact with a client, a colleague or member of the public who is autistic, deaf or visually impaired.

"There are over 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people registered in the UK.

"We are working with organisations as varied as Specsavers, The British Red Cross, prisons, supermarkets, museums, schools and hospitals.

"Each of our workshops help you comply with the Disability Discrimination Act and Equality Acts 2010 and encourage a 'can do' approach to the 12 million people in the UK who have a physical, sensory or learning disability.".

For further information about the Signs4Life workshops in York contact Sara on 07964 019 764 or visit the Signs4Life website www.signs4life.org