Background

Founded by profoundly Deaf entrepreneur Anthony Sinclair, the organisation combines lived experience with professional expertise to improve accessibility, communication and inclusion for Deaf people.

Alongside its commercial training services, Sign Source delivers community-focused programmes that support Deaf individuals and their families. Its work is rooted in breaking down communication barriers and creating a more inclusive society. Through direct engagement with the Deaf community and organisations across Northern Ireland, Sign Source has built a strong reputation for developing practical solutions that address real-world accessibility challenges.

What Sign Source did

To tackle the persistent social challenge of communication barriers between Deaf and hearing people, Sign Source developed the QR Code BSL Accessibility Initiative. The innovative service uses QR codes placed in public-facing environments such as hospitality venues, retail settings and community spaces. When scanned, the codes provide instant access to short BSL videos that teach simple signs and everyday phrases.

The initiative was created in response to the everyday experiences of Deaf people, who often face exclusion, frustration and reduced independence when communication support is unavailable. Led by Anthony Sinclair and informed by continuous engagement with the Deaf community, the project was designed as a practical, low-cost and scalable solution that organisations of any size can implement easily.

Launched in December 2025, the initiative extends accessibility beyond traditional Deaf awareness training by providing an on-demand digital tool that encourages hearing individuals to actively engage with BSL. This shifts responsibility for communication from Deaf individuals to a more shared and inclusive approach, helping to normalise sign language use while improving customer experiences and accessibility across multiple sectors.

Key Impacts and Results

• Improved communication between Deaf and hearing people in everyday, customer-facing environments through instant access to practical BSL support
• Increased independence and confidence for Deaf individuals by reducing the need for them to manage communication barriers themselves
• Encouraged behavioural change among hearing individuals, promoting active engagement with BSL rather than avoidance of communication
• Raised awareness and visibility of BSL, helping to normalise sign language use and increase understanding of Deaf culture
• Enabled organisations to improve accessibility and inclusivity through a low-cost, easy-to-implement digital solution
• Generated strong positive feedback and growing adoption among participating organisations and users, demonstrating demand for the service
• Created a scalable model with the potential to expand across sectors and regions, delivering long-term social impact through improved accessibility and inclusion

What the judges said:

“Anthony’s product is addressing a societal challenge and his aptitude, born from his lived experience, is what truly impressed the panel. He is delivering a solution with limited resource which will have a profound impact on a section of our community.”