Unconscious racial bias has contributed to an over-representation of black and mixed heritage young men in the criminal justice system with black young adults twice as likely to receive a caution, 8.4 times to receive a conviction and 1.5 times to be incarcerated.
Signs4Life is offering free online sign language classes
A new initiative to encourage more members of the public to take up sign language as an extra language and skill is now available to residents of Greater Manchester.
Signs4Life aims to help people communicate and engage with children and adults who may have hearing impairments and is leading efforts towards a society in which people with disabilities have full access.
The scheme is also working to raise the public and political awareness of disability provision.
Hana Riaz, Signs4Life partnerships officer, explains: “There are more than 9 million hearing-impaired people registered in the UK. We have already worked with Manchester Youth Justice, Families Together, the local NHS, and Royal Mail.