ALLIANCE Board member awarded British Empire Medal

Donald Richards was awarded the medal for his longstanding services to people with deafness and hearing loss.

The  ALLIANCE team and its Scottish Sensory Hub staff were thrilled to see Donald Richards awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his longstanding services to people with deafness and hearing loss. Donald was the Convenor of deafscotland, formerly the Scottish Council on Deafness (SCoD), before the formation of the Scottish Sensory Hub and is now a Board Member of the ALLIANCE.

Donald (71) is married to his wife, Linda Ann, with two grown-up children and lives in Livingston, West Lothian. He loves walking his dog, Logan, around that area. Born deaf to hearing parents, he grew up attending a specialist school for deaf and hearing loss students that taught through an oral approach. His love of football as a young man introduced him to British Sign Language (BSL), which also uncovered his longstanding commitment to equality and access for those affected by deafness. He has taught for nearly 40 years. Linda Ann, his wife, is delighted with the news and is very proud of him. Knowing how hard Donald has worked to promote BSL and Deaf Awareness over the years, she believes he thoroughly deserves the award and that it is very moving for Donald to receive this recognition.

On a personal level, Donald found new freedoms with the visual language and committed to teaching others, both deaf and hearing, when there were very limited materials or teaching aids. He devised lessons and taught all over Scotland, assisted the development of professional BSL / English Interpreters and promoted visual language awareness.

Initially, whilst working full time as a draughtsman and bringing up a young family, Donald volunteered as an educator. He now offers recognised sessions, with qualifications through local colleges. He supported the development of training for BSL Tutors and advanced his own qualifications achieving both the Diploma in Advanced BSL Studies and Post Graduate Diploma in Education. This allowed him to move away from being a draftsman to become Head of Deaf Studies at Donaldson’s College for the Deaf in Edinburgh and later at Linlithgow.

His commitment to volunteering continued as his life changed. He was able to spend time supporting new Tutors of BSL, developing assessor skills, developing information access in BSL and campaigning for equality. He strongly supported deafscotland and all those involved with the Cross Party Group on Deafness (CPGD) to achieve the BSL (Scotland) Act 2015 and continues to support the mainstreaming of equalities in Scotland.

Sara Redmond, Chief Officer, the ALLIANCE said:

It is a privilege to work with Donald through the ALLIANCE towards a rights-based, person-centred Scotland that recognises and celebrates diversity. Donald is a real asset to our Board, and we are thrilled his efforts have been recognised at this time, as the Queen’s Jubilee celebrates volunteering across the Commonwealth.

Donald M Richards, BEM said:

I am still getting used to the idea of my work being recognised this way. There is still work to be done to ensure those affected by deafness are integrated into public services and public life; however, many things are improving in Scotland through teamwork, volunteering and commitment. I am thankful and grateful to my wife, family, and many others who have supported me throughout my BSL teaching career. Thank you.

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