Open College of Sign Language became a registered charity in 1996; its purpose, to provide both hearing and deaf people and those isolated by way of other social disadvantage, with a way of communicating without barriers. So that no longer would they face isolation by a society who little understood them at times; at others, struggled to comprehend at all.

Because, until then, both hearing and deaf people had by and large communicated using B.S.L. (British Sign Language). And whilst B.S.L has been a wonderful communication tool to date, it did not allow for the provision of Full English Grammar.

Deaf people were saying they wanted more. To be given the same chances that hearing-people have as adults. And to be given more of a chance within a hearing society.

Like all things in life, it became a time for progression, a time for change. And a time to provide British deaf people with a solution to some of the barriers that deafness brought with it. And National Signed English was born.

As a deaf-led organization, O.C.S.L pioneered National Signed English, a system of 'signing' inserted into British Sign Language that allows users to converse in full English Grammar. Never intended to detract from B.S.L but only serving to enhance and strengthen what B.S.L had already started.

B.S.L including N.S.E became a springboard for many both hearing and deaf and O.C.S.L went from strength to strength. And the more people heard about National Signed English, the more O.C.S.L were asked to take their curricula and awards to diverse communities. To reach out to those isolated by virtue of their own deafness; to bring together some of those most segregated within a predominantly hearing world.

And to date, some our work has been with pre-school aged children; those with learning difficulties and special needs and others who learn for a million and one different reasons.

Some of O.C.S.L's clients include; Members of Merseyside Police Force, Universities and Colleges, Corporate Concerns, The Employment Service and special and mainstream education providers.

But none of the work of the charity would have been possible without the unfaltering support of those who have believed in us over the years. Many have invested their time and remained loyal to the charity who once had a vision of change. A vision of a society in which both hearing and deaf would come together without barriers or exclusion. And for a small charity, who once had big dreams, that day has finally arrived. For us, for the deaf we have long since believed in; and for all of the lives who have been touched by our work...

Thanking you all so much.