Media school for disabled Wiganers creates sign language music video

A Wigan media centre which delivers production lessons for residents with disabilities, has created a music video in which its members interpret lyrics with sign language.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Apr 2018, 10:39 BST
Updated 18th Apr 2018, 16:56 BST
Students at One Vision, a media training centre for adults with additional needs, have been learning sign language for a new music videoStudents at One Vision, a media training centre for adults with additional needs, have been learning sign language for a new music video
Students at One Vision, a media training centre for adults with additional needs, have been learning sign language for a new music video

Members of the One Vision project, in Scot Lane, created their own video This Is Me, a song featured in the soundtrack for Hollywood film The Greatest Showman.

The group was inspired to make the video after watching the Hugh Jackman film at the cinema, with project leader Beth Prole revealing how the storyline struck a chord with the students.

“They were quite inspired by it,” said Beth.

Students at One Vision, a media training centre for adults with additional needs, have been learning sign language for a new music videoStudents at One Vision, a media training centre for adults with additional needs, have been learning sign language for a new music video
Students at One Vision, a media training centre for adults with additional needs, have been learning sign language for a new music video
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“It really resonated with our members. Some of them said they loved the film because it’s about embracing being a bit different, and celebrating who you really are.

“We wanted to show off what we are about. We decided to use it to express ourselves.”

She added: “Our members came up with the idea of a sign language video so that everyone could understand and enjoy it.”

The group had been working on a communication project to teach everyone sign language, as a lot of their non-verbal members have been using it on a daily basis since early childhood.

Apprentice Katie Winnard, second from left, and project leader Beth Prole, second from right, with students. Students at One Vision, a media training centre for adults with additional needs, have been learning sign language for a new music video.Apprentice Katie Winnard, second from left, and project leader Beth Prole, second from right, with students. Students at One Vision, a media training centre for adults with additional needs, have been learning sign language for a new music video.
Apprentice Katie Winnard, second from left, and project leader Beth Prole, second from right, with students. Students at One Vision, a media training centre for adults with additional needs, have been learning sign language for a new music video.
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The sign language project was used to teach everyone the lyrics to the song, which was then filmed and edited.

Beth said: “All the members involved absolutely loved taking part. They got stuck in and learned all the signs. They loved watching it back.

“It’s had really positive feedback. The video has already been shared over a hundred times and everyone has commented on how inspiring it is. Everyone is saying that it’s such a feel-good video, a lot of people said it made them cry.

She added: “I didn’t really know any sign language before this, and a lot of the students have taught us, so it’s helped the staff too.”

Students at One Vision, a media training centre for adults with additional needs, have been learning sign language for a new music video.Students at One Vision, a media training centre for adults with additional needs, have been learning sign language for a new music video.
Students at One Vision, a media training centre for adults with additional needs, have been learning sign language for a new music video.
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One Vision Studios is based at the Hope Enterprise Centre in Scot Lane, Wigan.

It is a non-profit organisation which provides training courses for people with learning disabilities in all aspects of media production.

The group was established in October 1998 through a free speech group, and since 2015 has provided practical training courses for people with a learning disability. To find out more about their work, visit onevisionstudios.org

Related topics:Wigan