18th March 2012: Harrow Asian Deaf Club as Runner up for the BDAs Best Deaf Club Award 2012
The British Deaf Association (BDA) is the largest Deaf-led organisation in the UK. They represent the British Sign Language community, which is united by shared experiences, history and, most importantly, by language and the Francis Maginn Grand Banquet was the opportunity for everyone to celebrate the Deaf Culture, Deaf Identity and British Sign Language.
BDA as a member-led organisation, their work is focused on achieving equality for Deaf people through campaigning and community engagement. Working with local Deaf Communities is crucial to the success of BDA campaigns and creates opportunities for Deaf people to develop and engage with each other and the wider community.
In 18 March 2003, the British Government recognised British Sign Language as a language in its own right, a landmark announcement welcomed by many of people.
BDA was searching for the Deaf Club that is meeting the new needs of the Deaf Community sought high and low from all Deaf Clubs in the UKs, to decide the winner of BDA’s Best Deaf Club Award. They also asked that as result of the recent economical climate – how the Deaf Clubs are reacting to Modern life. And also looking for the best Deaf Club as a role model for the future.
David Buxton, Chief Executive of British Deaf Association explained: “We recognised the valuable contribution and commitment that Harrow Asian Deaf Club (HADC) provides to the local Deaf community. HADC provide a wide variety of activities especially most recently the first and only Deaf club to host the London Olympic Celebration 2012 and established good working partnership with Council and other community groups to ensure that HADC develop a strong voice to represent the views of all deaf people. Harrow Asian Deaf Club deserved to be recognised as runner up for BDA’s Best Deaf Club!”
Asif Iqbal MBE, President of Harrow Asian Deaf Club explained: “We were so proud for HADC to be recognised as runner up of the BDA’s Best Deaf Club in UK! We were really fortunate that in a short period of time since reviving in 2009, HADC’s committee have worked so hard in running and supporting our local Deaf club. Not only it stops there, our success is mostly down to the diverse programme of activities we have including mostly recently London Olympic Celebration 2012 which in turn increased our memberships. I hope that our HADC be seen as a positive model for other Deaf clubs to consider. We also wish to congratulate and express our deepest thanks to our HADC’s committee members, volunteers and supporters for their dedication and their fantastic support!”