Deaf Strictly Come Dancing star 2021
Rose Ayling-Ellis is the first deaf competitor on strictly come dancing and has made a massive impact on the deaf community. In combination of her hearing aids and being able to feel the vibrations of the floor, she can stay in time with the beat of the music and is able to dance.
Since her recent presence in the media, statistics by the BSL Organisation have revealed a 3000% increase in sign-ups to their free trial. BSL also reported a 488% surge in internet searches.
More than just educating viewers, Rose has led to real changes for those involved within the show. The show’s producers have received training in deaf awareness, alongside learning some basics of British Sign Language (BSL). This has also been adopted by some of the show’s professional dancers. In early weeks, Gorka Marquez was seen signing applause to Rose which has now been adopted by all his co-stars. What makes this more special is that the signing isn’t done just for Rose, with many of her co-stars receiving the same sign following the completion of their dance. It makes the show, which is already considered a pioneer of diversity, even more inclusive.
Whilst training and during the live shows, an interpreter helps Rose to understand Giovanni, the Judges, and her co-stars. Resulting from her appearance on the show, the BBC through their iPlayer have given an option to watch with an interpreter on-screen where previously only subtitles were available. This new feature increases the accessibility for those who are reliant on a translator.
With one in six in the UK having some form of hearing loss, Rose has stepped onto the nation’s biggest stage and proved that deaf people really can do anything.
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