Process for setting up BSL Interpreters on Learn and other actions to better support Deaf and Deafblind students. Importance of UUN and Learn for BSL/English interpreters When Deaf and Deafblind students are supported by BSL/English interpreters, it is imperative that these interpreters are given a UUN and provided with access to the Learn materials that are also provided to students. This is because they need to know the same content that the student receives for each course, to prepare in advance of their interpreting assignments. Not having this advance preparation severely and negatively impacts on the quality of interpreting that Deaf and Deafblind students receive as interpreters will not know the course-specific terminology and concepts and therefore will not be able to interpret English into BSL in a way that makes conceptual sense for the student. Getting a UUN and getting set up on Learn The first step is for the interpreting agency, Teaching Office and SESO staff to efficiently ensure that the BSL interpreters booked to work with the student receive a UUN, which will allow them to access Learn. Speed is of utmost importance, especially when interpreters are found and booked only at the last minute, due to e.g., timetabling or other schedule changes. It is possible to get a UUN within 24 hours using the following process: The Student Adviser allocated to the degree finds out from the agency who the interpreters are and their emails. If they are interpreters already known to the University, the Student Adviser looks them up on the previous course register and tries their username on the current course. The username may have expired. In this case, the Student Adviser asks the School Administrator to extend the period of the visitor access. The Student Adviser sends this form to the interpreting agency: Visitor Registration Form for BSL Interpreters, which can be amended to suit your School. The contact point may be the Teaching Office Administrator, Course Organiser or the Student Adviser, whoever is most pro-active and suitable. The agency distributes the form to the interpreters allocated who do not yet have UUNs. The interpreters complete the form and return it to the Student Adviser. Whoever is the key contact (it may be the Student Adviser, Teaching Office Administrator, or Course Organiser) sends the completed forms to the School Administrator who can apply for Visitor UUNs. The central School Administrator then sends a pdf of the Visitor UUN information to the key contact who sends it to the interpreters using their own email. This is so the interpreters know how to set up their entry to MyEd. The central School Administrator or Student Advisor then enters the new username on the Learn site register for the courses each interpreter will be working on. After 24 hours, the interpreter will be able to access the course Learn materials. Additional important actions for supporting Deaf and Deafblind students It is imperative for the Student Advisor, Teaching Office Administrator, and Course Organiser to keep on top of timetabling changes and adjustments, so that these can be communicated to both the Deaf or Deafblind student and their interpreters in a timely manner. Too often students are left out of last-minute tutorials offered or other ad hoc meetings provided by the Course Organiser. These situations are inequitable and must be avoided. Students may also require support with BSL communication for other students at their University accommodation, such as a short course of BSL for students in their shared accommodation. Please contact Residence Life to discuss options. AUTHOR Dr Gabrielle Hodge, Chair of BSL Implementation Group DATE December 2025 This article was published on 2025-12-22
