Accessible comic book on climate change drawn by deaf children

A comic book about climate change that is accessible to people with hearing loss has been drawn by deaf youngsters.

Pupils from Windsor Park School in Falkirk worked with Forth Valley Sensory Centre (FVSC) to design and develop the eight-page Climate Comic.

Children from the school, which supports primary and secondary aged deaf children, gave their take on the global climate emergency in the comic.

It has been translated into British Sign Language (BSL), with audio descriptions available so that children with visual impairments are able to access it.

The comic features puzzles, quizzes and activities, a recipe, and a visual tutorial of some BSL signs and the BSL alphabet.

It also includes a story about how cleaning up beaches can benefit marine life and characters within the comic are based on the children who helped to create it.

A digital edition of the Climate Comic can also be access online here.

Sara Burns, energy redress project coordinator with Forth Valley Sensory Centre, said the comic “brings to life” the dreams of students.

“This is an innovative, engaging and accessible way for everyone to find out about our environment and the actions we need to take to try to tackle the climate emergency,” she said.

“We have had lots of leaflets, lots of videos and talks but very few are translated into BSL – now a language in its own right – or made accessible to those who cannot see.

“Working with the children at Windsor Park, we have created something that brings to life the dreams and aspirations of these students and makes their message on climate change truly accessible to all.”