An official attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the ‘Largest Tactile Signing Lesson’ will take place in London on Tuesday 2nd October, organised by the international accountancy and advisory firm Mazars, in partnership with the national disability charity, Sense.
Staff from the Mazars London office, will be joined by Sense volunteers, as well as members of the public, to participate in the lesson, with 250 required to set a new world record.
Tactile signing is a common means of communication used by people who are deafblind (meaning they have both a sight and hearing impairment), which is based on a sign language and involves touch. The record-attempt is being organised to raise awareness of the different communication methods used by people with complex disabilities.
The 30-minute lesson on Tuesday will focus on one form of tactile signing, ‘deafblind manual’, an adapted form of finger spelling taken from British Sign Language (BSL). Each letter is spelt out on the hand, enabling communication by touch alone.
The lesson is being led by Emma Boswell, who is deafblind and works for Sense. Emma is Chair of the Deafblind International Usher Network and has a Diploma in Deafblind studies.
The record attempt is one of several activities planned by Mazars for October, to help raise awareness and funds for Sense. Last year, Mazars raised over £100k for the charity that supports children and adults with complex disabilities.
The world record attempt is scheduled to start at 11am on Tuesday 2 October, with participants invited to arrive at 10.30am. The venue is Tower Gardens, opposite the Tower of London and next to Tower Hill Station.
